Featuring Tommy Czeschin, Drew Danielo and friends, On The Loose showcases wakeskating, one of those fringe sports we at Nerve Rush HQ are big fans of. Beautifully shot, and seems like a sport I’d be down for on a clear, warm day.
Category: Water
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Surfing Vacation in Hawaii
Compared to the rest of our gut-wrenching inventory, this is one of the mellower clips we’ve featured at Nerve Rush HQ. That said, some gnarly cool riding from the guys at Young Wise Tails in Hawaii. Well done, guys.
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GoPro HD Hero 2010 Compilation
In this video are some of GoPro’s best shots in 2010. Shot on a GoPro HD HERO, this footage features skiing, snowboarding, surfing, swimming, skateboarding, car racing, human flight — you name it.
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21 Underwater Photography Shots From The Azul Ocean That Will Blow Your Mind
A few weeks ago, we had the opportunity to interview Arthur Koch from The Azul Ocean and find out a little behind his underwater photography magic. He even shared some of his favorite photos ever with us. But, we decided that wasn't enough.
We asked Arthur if he'd come back and share a few more with us. So Arthur who is not only a great underwater photographer, but al
l-around-good-guy, enthusiastically agreed. In fact, he not only shared one or two more, but 21 great photographs. So we've written enough, it's time to highlight what you clicked through for.
21 Underwater Photography Shots From The Azul Ocean That Will Blow Your Mind
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Jamie Sterling | 2011 Big Wave World Championship
Grab your trunks and passport and follow Jamie Sterling around the world, to places like Mexico, China, Peru and Fiji as he dominates the 2011 Big Wave World Championship. The soundtrack in this compilation is smooooooooth. Surf-appropriate.
[via Jennifer S. Youn]
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The Gnarliest Teahupoo Wave Ride Ever
We interrupt your regularly scheduled adrenaline rush schedule to bring you this selection of awesomeness because sometimes there are videos that are just too good to wait for a Monday or Friday posting.
At the Billabong Pro event in Teahupoo, on the southwest coast of Tahiti in the French Polynesia, the waves were some of the most gut-wrenching in history.
The French Navy labeled this day a double code red prohibiting and threatening to arrest anyone that entered the water. That couldn’t keep these guys out of the water. Check out the waves here and the crazy footage, thanks to Chris Bryan. Wow. Just wow.
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The Evolution of Kitesurfing
We at Nerve Rush HQ are big fans of Kitesurfing. Whether you're learning how to kitesurf or a kitesurfing world record holder, we think kitesurfing has a ton of adventure to add to your love of extreme sports.
But how did it all start anyways? Who came up with the great idea to strap a board to their feet, throw a kite in the air and hope the wind was blowing strong enough to keep them from drowning. Well, today we'll be diving in a little deeper to how kitesurfing came to be and where it started with a new series entitled The Evolution of Sport.
Today's first installment, The Evolution of Kitesurfing is brought to you by Nerve Rush friend and adventurist historian (we literally just made up this title) Thom Wolfe. Take it away Thom.
The Evolution of KiteSurfing
Origins
Kitesurfing is a relatively new sport/activity that finds its origin in several different areas. Kites have been around for over 2,500 years, first being used by the Chinese as communication devices. Physical evidence of surfing has been found in Peru dating back as far as 1500-2000 years ago. The design origins of kitesurfing come from traction kites. These kites were used on land to propel a vehicle or person that basically doubled the power of the wind by its design. However, the invention of kitesurfing would hinge on the ability to launch and re-launch the kite directly in the water, something a traction kite cannot accomplish.
Development
The first forms of kite surfing appeared in the 1980s and were referred to as “kite-skiing” and “flysurfing”. Cory Roese
ler developed his Kiteski system with a framed kite, a reel bar, and water skis. You can sort of think of this as water skiing, but instead of being pulled by a boat you are pulled by a kite. This was the first commercially available kitesurfing product released in 1986.
The Legaignoux brothers, Bruno and Dominique were the first to patent a curved wing inflatable kite referred to as the Flysurfer or Wipika system , which is the basic design used in modern kite surfing. These inflatable kites began development about the same time as the Kiteski system, but took 15 years to develop into a commercially available product being released in 1997.
Modern Day
Today, throughout the world there are hundreds of thousands of kite surfing enthusiasts. The first World Cup of Kite Surfing was held in 1998 in Hawaii. Now there are numerous kitesurfing competitions throughout the world on the local, regional, national, and international levels. Many countries and regions now have their kitesurfing associations with the International Kiteboarding Association being the global governing body.
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If you're interested in lending your expertise to thousands of Nerve Rush readers a month, let us know. Any and all guest post inquiries can be directed to Joel and Alan at our contact form. Stay adventurous out there!
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NOISIA VISION Wakeskating Film Teaser
Coming December 2011, this NOISIA VISION film teaser–a film about wakeskating–features Reed Hansen, Grant Roberts, Matt Manzari, Chris Kallas, Dieter Humpsch, Brian Grubb, Nick Taylor, Brandon Thomas and a few others. Wakeskating is a really cool sport, and this video is beautifully done. Well done, dudes.
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Interview With Arthur Koch
I was scouring the interwebs the other day when I followed a link to The Azul Ocean and was instantly impressed. Focused on scuba diving and brilliant underwater photography, I discovered the creator was a man named Arthur Koch, with over 15 years in diving and underwater photography. I knew I had to talk to him so I tracked him down and he was gracious enough to answer a few questions. Here we go!
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So, underwater photography. How does one fall into such a cool hobby?
I started diving in 1995, about a year later I picked in an Ikelite housing for the old Kodak disposable cameras. My initial idea was to bring pictures home to remember my dives and to show friends and family. Since then it has become a serious hobby and passion, I work regularly to improve my images by taking chases with different Underwater Photography Professionals, diving and shooting with friends who challenge me to improve.
What kind of equipment do you use for underwater photography?? How much does underwater photography cost?
I currently use Nikon D300 bodies, various lenses, Seacam Silver Underwater Housing and Ikelite strobes. I have over $20,000 USD invested in underwater camera equipment. It’s not uncommon for me to jump in the water holding $13,000 in a camera set-up.
You've traveled to 41 countries. What were some of your favorite to photograph?
You know, they are all great! Anytime you’re not in an office or factory and outside in nature, this is what it’s all about! (Nerve Rush note: we couldn't agree more!)
- Love the good old USA; North Carolina for it’s big animal action-the Sand Tiger Sharks; Florida for the diversity of fish life (they have done a great job of building a sustainable reef system) and Hawaii, they got it all, small, medium and large!
- Bonaire, Netherland Antilles’, in the southern Caribbean, awesome shore diving and great macro (small stuff).
- Solomon Islands in the Coral Sea, great macro, sharks, manta rays and schooling barracudas.
What are 3 of the best photographs you've ever taken?
This is a very difficult question…even with being my own worst critic…so many “speak” to me for different reasons. With that in mind, my favorites change every day, but here are today’s picks.
2008 NC – Sand Tiger Shark, Odontaspis tautus, USCG Spar Wreck IV
Diving off the NC coast is some of the best in the world; I just love the NC Sand Tiger Sharks! This image was captured as she was heading to the surface to get a gulp of air for buoyancy. B&W illustrates the textures; fine details of shapes and curves that bring her to life and highlights’ her natural beauty.
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2010 Key Largo – French Angelfish with Southern Stingray
While diving a coral reef you often see nature gracefully orchestrating a concert of her beauty. This image captures the natural beauty of a French Angelfish, the turquoise water of a swim through, the precise moment a Southern Stingray decides to swim away, all captured in slow motion that just grabs you!
2011 Wakatobi – Red Whip Coral with the eye of a Mimic Filefish (Paraluteres prionuris)
This image is of a Mimic Filefish hiding in a growth of Red Whip Coral. I spent the better part of 2 dives studying the fish’s behavior, potential photo opportunities and camera settings. On the 3rd dive I captured about 10 images at different angles; the contrast of the yellow eye, red of the whip coral, the black background and the fish silhouette dramatically highlight the reefs delicate and often hidden magnificence. This image marks turning point in my understanding of how to capture the oceans splendor and not just documenting its beauty.
What new projects do you have on the table for 2012?
I plan on exhibiting at 6 Art Festivals in Florida, South and North Carolina and Virginia. I’m leading an underwater photography trip aboard the Caribbean Explorer II in May to Saba N.A. and St Kitts. I will also be attending Stephen Frinks Digital Masters Underwater Photography course in Bonaire, N.A. during July. In between, I'll be diving off Florida and the North Carolina coast. Please check Facebook for details and sign up for The Azul Ocean newsletter of other details and promotions that I'll be running in the near future.
Where can Nerve Rush readers find more of you?
You can find me all around the web. Here's a few good links to start:
- Web: www.theazulocean.com
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheAzulOcean
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/TheAzulOcean
- WordPress: http://theazulocean.wordpress.com
- e-mail: arthur.koch@theazulocean.com
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Massive thanks from the Nerve Rush crew to Arthur. We look forward to seeing much, much more of you and your work here at Nerve Rush in the near future.
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1984 Dana Kunze 172 Foot World Record High Dive
While Dana Kunze no longer holds the world record for the highest dive, there’s still something about this video I find fascinating. Shot in 1984, watch Kunze jump with perfect form, 172 feet high. The pool looks so small from up there.
