* Surf

7 SWIFT

Surf community

UK Pro tour dates fixed

Croyde Beach, in North Devon, will once again host the Saltrock Open for the UKPSA Pro Surf tour. Britain’s most lucrative surf series will get underway on 10th April 2009 and end with the Animal Newquay Open at Fistral Beach on 14th November. Watergate Bay will host the White Stuff Surf Relief contest on 17th-18th July. The annual Fat Face Night Surf at Lusty Glaze Beach, in Newquay, has been pencilled in for 12th-13th June, but has yet to be confirmed. There is also a one star contest scheduled for St Ives with the Gul Open being staged at Porthmeor Beach, on 5th-6th September. Events are also being staged at Porthcawl in Wales; Tynemouth in Newcastle; Thurso in Scotland; and Portrush in Northern Ireland.Check out the newly launched website www.ukprosurf.com

Smells Like Teen Spirit

To celebrate the life of Kurt Cobain, Converse are releasing a limited edition shoe adorned with Nirvana’s song lyrics. Nearly 15 years after his untimely death, this tribute is designed to keep his spirit alive, not just with his loyal fans, but future generations alike.. www.converse.com

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The UK’s first inland surf wave

A £25 million holiday development will be underway from spring 2009 at Retal-lack Surfside, Cornwall, which will home the UK’s first inland surf wave. Aiming to attract a large number of surfers, body boarders and spectators from the local surf community, it also hopes to appeal to wave-riders from all over Eu-rope. Offering guaranteed year-round surfing. The inland surf wave will enable all levels of surfers to practice and learn before they try their luck at one of Cornwall’s famous surfing hotspots, such as Fistral Beach.Accommodation will include 100 funky surf pods that can sleep 4, with ensuite bathrooms and allocated storage space for your wetsuits and boards. Scheduled to open to visitors around mid 2010, you can find more details at www.retallacksurfside.co.uk

Retro Casio

Who didn’t love the 1980s? From the Goonies, to reversible jumpers; soda-streams, to the infamous Casio watch! If you need an excuse for a retro throwback, G-Shock has released an exclusive, limited edition watch based on the original designs. Coined as the ‘toughest watch of all time’, the new models are shock and waterproof with a cool, 80s hip-hop feel. Collaborations with film-maker Spike Lee and graphic artist Eric Haze, take this little legend to a new level.

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Wave of peace

In an attempt to create a greater under-standing between the Middle East and West, Australian artist, Philip George, has designed a range of Islamic surfboards called ‘Inshal-lah’ – or ‘God willing’. The 30 designs are all adorned with intricate Islamic motifs and are currently on exhibit in Sydney.

In the bag

Did you know plastic bag litter kills at least 10,000 marine animals every year?O’Neill Wetsuits have increased their eco status by creating a solution to this problem: the BioBag! This biodegradable bag protects wetsuits and vests, but also leads the way by raising awareness about the important relationship between the sea and the environment.