Customer Reviews

Surfing: The Manual: Advanced

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

You know what would be really awesome: if you could sit down in one room - picture a classroom on a dune in front of Pipeline or something - with all of the best surfers in the world and ask them, one-by-one, every question that you'd be embarrassed to ask if you met them face-to-face. Like, I don't know, "Hey Taj - how do you approach a wave at the right angle for a good air?" "And Parko, can you add some pointers on style once I'm up there?" "Or how `bout you Andy - dude, can you stop whispering to your neighbor while others are talking? - yea you: Can you explain why you drag your butt in the wave when you're backside tube riding?"

Unfortunately that would never happen. (Even if you accomplished the impossible task of getting them in the same room, Flea and Skindog would probably throw stink bombs and run out the back.) But if it did, it would be something like having Jim Kempton's new book, Surfing The Manual: Advanced. I used to think buying any kind of surfing how-to book, unless it included a map to new breaks, would be a waste time and money. But WaveFinder has broken the mold with this one. They've gotten just about every top pro to pitch-in information on what each one of them does best. From Ken Bradshaw explaining why most surfers botch their duck dives (they use their knees or shins instead of their back foot) to Dave Rastovich discussing the nuances of fins-free reentries (it's all timing apparently), this book is like a bible for everything about surfing that you thought was impossible to explain. I highly recommend it for every surfer.

I've been surfing consistently for over 20 years.I got this book because I felt my surfing, though good enough, has stagnated somewhat and I needed some inspiration. What a well put-together book! The title says advanced but I recommend it from intermediate surfers up. If you can stand and do a few turns this book will start you off with a solid base for bottom turns, off the tops etc. Even after so long surfing I found some flaws in my own techniques regarding these fundamental manoeuvers. If you are refining your tube riding or starting to pop airs etc there's some good tips and there are other sections on fitness, big waves, equipment, tow surfing and so on. It's stacked with beautiful pictures of waves being ripped by top surfers to illustrate technical points but this would lead to my only criticism. The pictures make it a nice coffee table book but slightly heavy (though still possible)to travel with. Would be nice if it included a paperback text only manual of techniques to take on the road. Other than that, excellent.

This is a must have for any surfer who wants to improve their technique, and elevate their performance--as well as improve their understanding of the ocean from a surfer's perspective. My only criticism is that it includes beginner advice, which may have been smart in terms of marketing, but it gets in the way of it being a special addition to a solid surfer's library.

I like this book the text and images are great. However I was expecting a more "How-To" with detailed images of how to move your body, hands etc. More like an actual Manual. I have been surfing for over 25 years daily and was looking to learn some new techniques. There are good tips there but where is the detail? The kind where there are close ups with arrows etc. It is hard to explain surfing in text let alone describe how to position your feet on a barrel. From the beautiful images they provide you just cannot see that. The step by steps are good but they are images you can already see in Surfer magazine.
Bottom line this is a good book but more could be done to focus in on technique. This is a good read and I feel I got the value out of it no question. I am still looking for more 'inside' technique from masters to better my surfing.

I read through the whole book a few times. I went out to surf and it made things a lot easier because it gave me a concept of what I need to do. When I had trouble with something like dropping in backside, I would look in the book to see what I am doing wrong. It explains a lot of stuff from tides, swells, breaks, techniques, etc. Great buy. No cons to this book. I only got good things out of it.

I bought this because I was looking for video sequencing training videos and then found this book as a recommended item. The book is great reading and does an excellent job of putting the how to of surfing into writing. Great pictures and excellent explanations throughout. This is a must have for any surfing library. Well worth reading over and over again.

Excellent reading and photographs, all manoeuvers carefuly explained by the pros, and Jim Kempton has indeed put a lot of effort to bring out a bit of his knowledge to elicit this manual as top referencing for surfing studies. Besides, great customer service from Wavefinder's web site.

Usefull tips without boring. Surfing is not something I really spend much time reading about. Much more fun to do. Worth reading.

Took this on a surf trip with me and pick up tons of new things to improve upon from this book. Highly recommend it!

This book is excellent for advanced surfers. Not for those who are still learning how to duck dive. Only half the book is applicable to me and I have been surfing for 8 years. ha ha! I love how the author describes exactly how a person bottom turns, or what a pro surfer thinks are the keys to competing in contests. The author has interviewed lots of surfing professionals and asked them exactly how they do maneuvers. Very cool. Great book. Five stars.