ABC-CLIO

This guide showcases the world of extreme surfing, describing the unique culture associated with this daredevil's sport, providing insights into what makes the top riders tick, explaining the science of big waves, and more.

This guide showcases the world of extreme surfing, describing the unique culture associated with this daredevil's sport, providing insights into what makes the top riders tick, explaining the science of big waves, and more.

"The Pipeline" in O'ahu, Hawaii. "Maverick's Point" in northern California. "Ours" near Sydney, Australia. All over the world, extreme surfers risk severe injury or even death from riptides, shark attacks, and collisions with the seabed itself, just to experience the ultimate high from tackling—and triumphing over—one of the most powerful forces on earth.

Surfing: The Ultimate Guide explains the culture of extreme surfing—including the often violent "locals only" mentality—and analyzes the dangers involved in riding the world's biggest and most ferocious waves. The author examines the history of extreme surfing, including past and contemporary heroes; the science of giant waves; the technical criteria for riding them; and the future of big-wave riding.

Includes a bibliography of primary and secondary sources and current websites

Provides a comprehensive glossary of surfing "vocabulary"

Contains an index of names, places, and terms relevant to the sport of surfing

Book News
Part of a series on the history and techniques of extreme sports, this guide explores the intricacies of surfing. The work examines the origins of the sport, the science behind waves and surfboards, popular surfing locations and biographies of several famous surfers and includes a chronology of surfing history as well as numerous black and white photographs of surfers in action. Booth is a professor of sport and leisure studies at the University of Otago in New Zealand and has written several books on sports and beach culture. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)