Wavescape: Portraits of the Planet's Best Surf Spots [Hardcover]

Chris Towery (Author), Matt Pruett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 8, 2001

Here's every surfer's dream book! It's beautifully illustrated and describes the world's best surfing sites all over the world. Divided into five sections covering Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe, and the Americas, this volume follows surfers in their search for that perfect wave. The authors recommend seasonal journeys, and take readers along with them to famous sites in Mexico and the Spice Islands in summer, Europe and Africa in autumn, the South Pacific in winter, and Australia in spring. And, of course, there's always California for just about any time when surf's up! An opening chapter on the history of surfing describes how in the 1770s Captain Cook first saw the sport enjoyed by Hawaiians. By the mid-twentieth century, new materials such as fiberglass and polyurethane revolutionized surfboard manufacture and substantially increased the sport's popularity. Approximately 150 dramatic color photos complement exciting descriptions of the world's most famous and most challenging surfing locations.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"After decades of publishing grammar readers and college-board study guides, Wavescape is just what you'd expect from a textbook titan like Barron's, taking the insights of experts and converting them into elementary themes any student can understand … Sections are well-written and offer an accessible mix of surfing mood and solid information. In fact, it's the lack of daunting insider minutae and dudespeak that helps it stand apart, providing a perfect introduction for any novice looking to one day ace their SATs (Surfing Aptitude Test) at home or abroad"


— Matt Walker, Surfing, 2003

From the Back Cover

Less than a hundred years ago surfing was a secret known only to a few island cultures. Today it is one of the biggest sports in the world, attracting a devoted following who will travel literally anywhere to find the perfect wave. In recent years the brave—and foolhardy—have even surfed the icy, treacherous waters of Antarctica in search of that moment of transcendence.

Wavescape is a world tour of the finest surf spots yet discovered. Ranging from the paradise of Indonesian islands? turquoise waters to destinations such as Pipeline, Hawaii, which has a fearsome record of carnage and mayhem, the authors take you on a worldwide excursion, giving expert advice on how to ride the waves at each location. In addition, they offer tantalizing hints about other virtually secret beaches that you can find near several locations they describe in detail. They also have valuable advice on many surfing-related topics, such as attitudes of the local people and what to expect when you deal with them . . . the frequency of shark attacks . . . and which beaches to avoid altogether unless you?re an expert—or a lunatic.

Featuring stunning photography and action shots of every surfing destination described, this exciting volume shows all the thrills and spills that each site has to offer. From Europe to Australia, by way of the Americas, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific islands, Wavescape demonstrates the lengths to which surfers will go in their thrilling quests to find bigger and more challenging waves.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Barron's Educational Series (December 8, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764155385
• ISBN-13: 978-0764155383
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 11.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #880,420 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #92 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Nature Travel > Adventure > Skiing

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical and beautiful, December 17, 2002

By 

Joseph (Norfolk) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wavescape: Portraits of the Planet's Best Surf Spots (Hardcover)

Any type of reader (juvenile literature to scholary) will appreciate this book . It is a well thought out piece that gives the reader a historical perspective of surfing. It focuses on fact rather than "surfer magazine" style of writing. All the reader has to do to be in awe or inspired by the sport of surfing in this book is to look at the brilliant photography of these great waves and places. Buy this book. It speaks for itself.

5.0 out of 5 stars spirit e-scape, September 14, 2009

By 

vineyard dreams (brooklyn,ny) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wavescape: Portraits of the Planet's Best Surf Spots (Hardcover)

Love the photos and stories in the book. You can feel the energy and power yet feel the calm. After a hard day of work this city girl can "curl" up and escape to relax my spirit and mind. it's also a great learning/geography lesson. Way to get kids to learn!!