This product helps to remove trapped water in your ear after being in the water, it also kills bacteria that can cause ear infections. Swim Ear is a must for surfers that have trouble with water getting stuck in their ears after a hardcore session. We tried it out on a recent trip to the Canary Islands and it seemed to work a treat, all you need to do is add a few drops in each ear and it doesn’t take long for you blocked ears to dry out!

We’re always interested in surfing innovations and we’ve been sent another one this month with the OllyPop Surf Towel. It claims to be the only surf towel that is also a surf training device. Catering for both regular and goofy footers the OllyPop towel has an illustration of a surfboard printed on it with footprints and handprints which are supposed to train people learning to surf where to position themselves on a board when popping up. The towel itself is a bit on the thin side if you are planning to use it for drying purposes but it seems like a great gift idea if you don’t know what you want to get that wanna be surfer! Visit their website for more information at ollypopsurf.com

Lots of new surfing products pass through the office at coldswell.com and many of them are very nice but very occasionally something lands on our desk that really impresses. When we came across the new Bubbleloc thermal rash vest from Stik Up we thought that those board hanger people are now jumping on the band wagon and selling bits of surf wear. It wasn’t until we opened the package when we realised exactly why the innovators at Stik Up were sending us one of their rash vests. A rash vest that is definitely not like any other rash vest we’ve ever come across before. Stik Up’s latest innovation is a sturdy velcro sealed pocket on the back of the vest containing a thick rubber PakPak pouch attached by a leash which apparently has a water tight seal which has been tested to 50m depth to keep your car keys, immobiliser or favourite chocolate bar completely dry. The vest itself is made of thick, high quality lycra and is very comfortable to wear. To say we were impressed is an understatement. It is a truly revolutionary garment, why has nobody come up with this idea before?

Click here for more information

Now we are heading into the summer season Oakley have kindly sent us through some of their new Crosshair polarized sunglasses to test drive. They have taken the classic aviator style and refined the frame and lenses for sun protection that’s right on target. If you’re wearing a pair of these bad boys there is no doubt you’ll be making your pals green with envy, we’ve been fighting furiously with each other over the samples we’ve had through. They are incredibly comfortable and adjust perfectly when you go from bright sunlight into the shade so you can keep them permanently fixed to your face. These glasses are on the lighter side for Oakley but they are incredibly sturdy. The frame design also allows good peripheral vision. Check out their full range at oakley.com and get a “head” for the summer!

Footprint’s Surfing Europe Book is described as the definitive surf travel guide to Europe and it’s not far wrong. This book covers over 600 surf spots in Scotland, Ireland, England, Wales, France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, and the Canary Islands. It includes tips and anecdotes from some of Europe’s top surfers such as Russell Winter, Eneko Acero and Tiaro Pires and international legends such as Dan Malloy, Pat O’Connell and Nat Young.

Broken down into 27 comprehensive regions it contains detailed surf information including high definition maps and some glorious photography. But this book goes much further than just listing comprehensive details about the best surf breaks in Europe, it is a complete surfers travel guide with details such as which boards are the best to use on different beaches, what the ideal weather charts are to suit the different areas plus local travel contact details for airports, train, bus, ferry and car hire companies. It even has a ratings guide to how accommodating the different European airlines are to travelling surfers and their boards. For each country it gives crucial information such as shop’s opening times, emergency phone numbers, local food delicacies and even highlights each country’s popular events and festivals so you can make contingency plans if the waves are small.

It is incredible that nobody has produced a guide like this before. If Stormrider is the ultimate accompaniment for your coffee table, Footprint’s Surfing Europe is the ultimate companion for the travelling surfer. This is a definite ‘must have’ for anyone serious about surfing in Europe.

For more information and details of how to purchase this book visit the Footprint books website

If you thought Stormrider was good, it is nothing compared to the attention to detail that has gone into this masterpiece. When and what conditions the breaks work under, how to get to them, are the ‘locals’ friendly, and the poor surfer’s vital info like where you can get away with free-camping without arrest and the best places for a night out. The information within this book is spot on with the sort of insider info you can only get from someone whose spent a lot of time there. Unlike some similar books like this, it was obviously written by a real surfer who knows the area, not by someone who just pestered the tourist office and wrote the answers down. It gives the real info real surfers need and even has the essential Spanish “pulling” phrases! With 240 pages, 88 colour photographs by some of the World’ leading surfing photographers, 13 maps and city guides this is a must for every surfer, planning a cool trip to Spain. For more details visit watersportsbooks.com.

At last the classic 60’s surf film Big Wednesday is available on DVD and is still as good as ever. If you’ve never seen it then amongst the backdrop of incredible surfing scenes, comes the story of 3 guys growing up under the uneasy shadow of the Vietnam war. But life throws up it’s own set of problems and hard decisions for the lads to take. And the escape is the water, the swell and the search for the perfect wave. The complexity of the different personalities lends an endearing quality to the whole production and a magnaninous end that leaves you choking for breath. The thumping soundtrack of classic sixties tracks rams it all home of course.Coming forward to present times, it hasn’t gotten any easier. And this wonderful film reminds you that life’s a beach, a VW Camper, a board and beer. Enjoy.

Click here to buy this film…

At last an original invention for surfers has come on the market that is actually quite useful! Are you tired of dinging your boards having them leaning up precariously or getting knocked around in your house? Welcome to the world of Stikup! It sticks your board to your wall. The device comprises two very attractive alloy board beans and two adjustable neoprene lined straps. Designed for all shapes and sizes of boards Stikup is a unique board display system that fuses function and form into art. You can make sure you get no more homemade dings by sticking your board on your wall or ceiling either horizontally or vertically! You’ll wonder how you ever lived without one. We love it!!! !

Click here for more information

This is a wetsuit which really has some thought put into it specifically for the needs of surfers. The Fusion 5/3 from O’Neill is made from new Ultraflex Durable Superstretch with critically taped seams. The suit has a wind-proof single lined chest and back and the fantastic 3Q Blackout Zip system. Seamless paddle zones make for rash free underarms and the Firewall hollow fibre interior guarantees to extend your winter sessions. A Super Seal neck keeps water entry to a minimum. If you are looking for a new wetty for the coming winter months, this might just be what you are looking for.

Click here to buy it from extremepie.com

The World Storm Rider Guide is the first and only comprehensive colour guide to 80 of the planets premier surfing coastlines. The book offers detailed analysis of the surf spots, the optimum meteorological and oceanographic conditions, plus the low down on the local scene, hazards, access, getting there, accommodation and much more. A unique set of symbols and statistics make all this information instantly accessible. Combined with over 120maps and 500 superb photos, The World Storm Rider Guide is the essential tool for all globetrotting waveriders.

Click here to buy the book from extremepie.com

The latest movie from the historic surf film maker Bruce Brown with the help of his son Dana, with some unseen footage from some of his great surfing movies including the fantastic Endless Summer series. A great collection of entertaining stories and fantastic waves from the surfers and the filmmaker.

This is a well produced and amusing video with some great footage. A video of a standard well above your average surf flick. A must have for all for all Endless Summer fans.

Embark on a journey of adventure and discovery, as the sport’s greatest surfers look back on the lifelong search for the perfect wave.