Team Rider: Nicaela Moskos

Meet one of the newest Team Riders for KD’s Surf Team, Nicaela Moskos!!! You might already know her from surfing at San-O or working at OluKai… but if not, come n’ get to know the wonderful Nicaela for the first time!

Nicaela

My name is Nicaela Moskos, I’m 26 and reside in San Clemente, California. Learned how to surf at the age of 17 at San-O and have been living and dreaming surfing since. A friend of mine taught me to surf as far South of San-O as you can go to ensure I wasn’t getting in the way of any surfers that could surf. Definitely took me a few years to get the arm strength to feel confident and move over to the peak. I don’t think I have been out of the water for more than a couple weeks since then.

Team riders Nicaela n' Steph
At a young age I was always at the beach but did more boy watching and getting tan activities. Now a days it is all about surfing and I guess still a little on boys : )

I work at OluKai; it’s a sandal company and we’re all about the ocean lifestyle. We get what we call “Surf Wednesdays” A group of us meet up at San-O as the sun rises, go surf for a couple hours and go into work late. Pretty cool aspect of the job!

Nicaela

I enjoy anything outdoors camping, running, traveling, riding my beach cruiser, but mostly surfing of course. Oh and I can beat anyone at bowling, yep pretty much claiming it!

-Nicaela

Q&A (With Kacee Spurny interviewing):

Kacee: Where is the coolest place you have surfed?
Nicaela:
I would have to say Costa Rica, Santa Teresa. Looking at the shore was white soft sand and the coolest over-grown trees, and the water was like bath water.

Kacee: What pumps you up to go surfing?
Nicaela: Besides the water being warm and the water glassy…listening to the song Land Down Under, by Men At Work. I know seems weird but it’s definitely a favorite.

Kacee: What kind of board do you ride?
Nicaela:
I ride a 9′0” high performance Becker, Mike Gee Model.

Kacee: What’s your favorite thing in the whole world?
Nicaela: It’s hard to narrow it down to just one. So I am going to list a few, puppies, friends/family, laughing, and of course long boarding!

We’re stoked to have Nicaela on the team and will see if we can start caring OluKai to help represent! Tune in for future blogs from Nicaela soon!!

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Posted in: community, pix, surf


Über Nice Thursdays: Quik Hats

Today we’re feeling extra nice n’ wanna give you guys some free stuff! We currently have a plethora of rad Quiksilver hats (donated to us from your lovely friends over at Quik, thank you)

We decided to go with a great idea from our friend Apryl, “Send in your thoughtful comments on what your favorite surf-related charity is?!” Let’s branch out from our awesome favorites (Surfrider, SurfAid) and here about some other charities that might not have a lot of publicity.

Indonesian kids

So there you have it, first ten people to do so get a random Quiksilver hat!

Free shipping to U.S. residents only.

Outtakes from Way of the Ocean

way-of-the-ocean

About the Film:
The film is a definitive look at wave riding in the current state of our worlds oceans. Follow the worlds best surfers around the globe exploring all the natural wonders of our precious oceans. The salt water provides life and energy on a daily basis and the time to restore and preserve our oceans is now. Way of the Ocean stars Josh Kerr, Asher Pacey, Kelly Slater, CJ Hobgood, Ry Craike, Dane Reynolds, Craig Anderson and Adam Robertson. Coming in 2010…

Here’s some unused footage from the upcoming surf film, Way of the Ocean starring Josh Kerr, check it out!

WAY OF THE OCEAN (MOVIE) BLOG : ENTRY 5 from CIRCULATE on Vimeo.

Head on over to the blog for Way of the Ocean for more footage and some bitchin photography!

Big ups to Rusty for wring this blog on their site: www.rusty.com/blog

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Posted in: Art, community, surf, video


Our Inspiration: Buffalo Exchange

Buffalo-Exchange

What’s great about the Buffalo Exchange is that they sell and buy used clothes. I am an avid thrift store shopper and love supporting stores like this. However, I am also very passionate about buying new clothes (hence why I’m working for a company that gives me a discount on new clothes)… so it’s a constant toss up for me on which I love more, the used or new clothes.

Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of Navajo, Ethnic, and Tribal prints. They started out this summer on a lot of tank tops n’ skirts (during the time when there were a lot of Music Festivals going on)… since them I have seen almost every company transition that look into Fall and winter wear with fleece jackets, sweaters, and leggings.

Buffalo-Clothes

Get your hands on this ultra comfy Babushka Sweater from Billabong. It’s a great piece to add to your collection and will keep you happy and warm all the way through Fall and right into Winter.

Next we have a charming duo of pattern brought to us from O’Neill… this Peyote Dress looks great with some strappy fake leather sandals, and this Eden Skirt looks amazing with a solid tank underneath (white or black), and a flashy gold necklace.

Let us know what styles are inspiring you,

-Kacee

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Posted in: community, pix, style


Team Rider: Stephanie Vigiano

Meet one of the newest members to the Killer Dana Surf Team, Stephanie Vigiano! You might have recently seen her dominating the Halloween scene and winning first place in a costume contest as Storm, from American Gladiators!

steph-hawaii

This talented surfer first hit the waves at age 3, when her dad pushed her into a wave just over ankle high on a mini yellow boogie board. Her mom came running towards her from the beach as she saw her 3 year old girl sprawled out on the beach, crying, with hair in her eyes, and sand in her mouth. “Are you ok hunny?! Do you need to get out?!” “No, no, no!” As she got up wiping the hair out of her face, “It was just a wipe out mom, I’m ok!” And so it began..

Stephanie surfing

Growing up in Orange County, she rode her first surfboard at the young age of 8. By middle school she discovered her love of longboarding and was in the waters of Doheny every day after school. She won her first surf contest at age 12 in the 11-13 division of a Stewart contest at the San Clemente Pier.

After high school she set her sights on the University of Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. While she was there she surfed everywhere from North to South shore. Her favorite spots were Courts at Ala Moana, and a spot called Toes, just a short paddle out front of her house in Hawaii Kai. Along with surfing she enjoyed all aspects of the island life. Hiking, running, yoga, and exploring every inch of sand the beaches had to offer were all major contributions to her life.

VIGIANO

Stephanie recently moved back home to Dana Point after spending six long years in paradise. Now you can find surfing and cruising down at San O with the locals by day, and working on recipes for her cookbook by night.

Q & A: (With Kacee Spurny interviewing)

Kacee: What size board do you ride?
Steph: Right now I have a 9′2 high performance longboard and a 6′0 Dick Brewer epoxy fish. But I never ride my fish, do you want to buy it? $200. No? Alright $150 but that’s as low as I go.

Kacee: Who’s the greatest person alive?
Steph: SIt’s a toss up between you and Phil Collins. But I think Phil wins. “In the Air Tonight” changed my life. Seriously.

Kacee: What’s your favorite thing in the whole world?
Steph: Happy hour and Magoo’s sushi. Oh yeah, and longboarding.

Kacee: What’s the best and worst thing about Hawaii?
Steph: Best- Fresh Ahi poke and never wearing a wetsuit. Worst- They sneak feed you Spam every chance they get.

Kacee: 80’s or 90’s?
Steph: When you are allowed to wear neon, spandex and rock big hair every day is it even a question? 80’s.

I do have to say that after traveling around the world and meeting loads of glorious people, no one compares to Stephanie’s amazing upbeat and adventurous personality. Big ups to Steph for joining the KD family and taking the time to let us interview her.

See you later this month at your next competition! Whoop Whooop!

-Kacee

Oh ya, and Stephanie is looking for a job in the Action Sports Industry if anyone knows of anything?! Just throwin it out here.

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Posted in: community, pix, surf


Custom Surfboards Featuring Mark Ellis

As the founder of Killer Dana Surf Shop, one of my favorite things has been helping customers with custom surfboard orders, and I am still as stoked today as I was way back in 1991 when we opened our first shop. After all, surfboards are the foundation of what we do…GW

Mark has shaped thousands of boards and is a master with his planer.

Mark has shaped thousands of boards and is a master with his planer.

A custom built surfboard is one of the few things you can still get to order that is truly hand-crafted to your exact specifications. We thought it would be fun and interesting to show you how a custom surfboard is created, from the order form through the finished product. Master shaper Mark Ellis has been making surfboards for Killer Dana since we opened in 1991, and he has shaped literally thousands of custom surfboards for our customers. I asked Mark to build a quad fin for us, and the photos below show how the entire process is done, from start to finish. Enjoy.

-GDub

Monday Funday: Mystery Stickers

question-mark

Hey guys! Every Monday we like to give out some free stickers. Today we’re gonna mail out a mystery sticker pack to the first 15 people. Just leave us a comment in here if you wanna get some!

Oh ya, free shipping to U.S. residents only…

Featured Skatepark: Costa Mesa (Volcom)

After a long day of sellin product, cleaning up the shop, and getting things ready for the week; nothin sounds better than a good night of skating.Volcom

Unlike the majority of the work labor within this area, I work on Sundays. However, I have one of the best jobs… Just recently, I have become the new Store Manager for Alley Skateshop. I found this place to be the only core skate shop within this area. Surfing does not, I repeat does not take up the majority of the store. In fact, we don’t even allow any such surf-influenced product within the premises. We leave it up to our good-old neighbors, Killer Dana, to take hold of that Market.

So back to the point of this special feature… Every Monday, I am goin to feature a park within the greater area of Orange County, so I can hopefully get all you skate junkies off the couch, out the door and on your board to potentially push your board to new limits. And what better way to find a park within your area that has all the essential tools to get your adrenaline goin. There is nothin better than after a horrendous day of work or countless hours in the classroom of day-dreaming to actually go out and skate.

Volcom2

This Sunday evening I treated msyelf to a evening sesh @ the Volcom Park in Costa Mesa. A great all-around park for those tranny lovers and street gurus. The park has a great flow and a traditionally good-old vibe that sets the mood for a good session.

The park features a vert bowl, mini peanut bowel, street course with a euro-gap, ledges, couple challenging yet fun rails, and obstacles to make you go home with a smile.

Details: City: Costa Mesa, Orange County
Address: 970 Arlington Drive
Lights: Yes
Gated: Yes
Terrain: Vert, Street, Tranny
Hours: 9am-9pm. Tuesdays park opens at 3 pm due to maintance.
Extra Notes: No staff, outside concrete park, Free Admission, 20,000 sq ft. Rules: Pads and Helmet required. However, you can get away without wearing safety gear. Police appearances are random. Skate at your own risk.

Stop by the shop and say what’s up when you’re in the area… I’m always down to hook you up with stickers or sweet deals.

-Teddy

Grease not Gas

The first time I heard about bio diesel was back in my college days in the one place where you would actually hear about these things, Santa Cruz Ca. I didn’t really know anything about it, but the idea of driving around without having to pay for gas sounded pretty good to me (more beer money).

shapeimage_2

To be honest I still don’t know too much about it, but after watching this cool interview I have a better idea of what is going on in the world of bio diesel cars, or buses for that matter. Mike Parziale has a pretty cool thing going with his Grease not Gas program and the Grease Bus.

A ten dollar ride for a four hour bus ride from Portland to Mt. Hood. Not too shabby. Check out the interview and become a little more informed.

Deegan at Lucas Oil Off Road Championship

Brian Deegan

The other weekend Brian Deegan landed himself and his Rockstar/Metal Mulisha Unlimited Light truck on top of the podium in his hunt for the Lucas Oil Off Road Championship. On Saturday he placed 1st with teammate Todd Cuffaro in 2nd! On Sunday he backed it up with a 2nd place finish, again followed by teammate Todd Cuffaro in 3rd! That’s 4 podiums in 1 weekend for Deegan’s team! Congrats to Deegan, Todd and the whole Rockstar/Metal Mulisha off road team!

The 1st and 2nd place finish moved Deegan into 2nd place in the overall point standings and just 9 points back from the leader. There are only 2 races to go in the season and the General is right there in the hunt…November 14-15…Primm, NV…it’s on!

Thanks to Metal Mulisha for posting this blog!