SURF-A-PALOOZA: Mar 14-21

FRENCH BOYCOTT EXTENDS TO XXL?: No, we won't go there.

Nevertheless, PR wizard Bill Sharp, whose spin can make lawn bowling sound exciting, sent along news that a recent large swell in Europe has a slew of new entries vying for the 2003 Billabong XXL Big Wave Award. "The session took place Monday afternoon, March 10, at the Belharra reef off St. Jean de Luz near the France/Spain border and features numerous rides on waves with faces at or exceeding the 60-foot mark." Surf-A-Palooza is officially announcing the unofficial winner right now. Here's your winner, according to me, after an impromptu calculation session involving my Vons card, some of my son's plastic army figures and a sharp pencil: Noah Johnson at Jaws shot by Rick Leeks. Those waves in Fance look soft, like the "J" in St. Jean.

HONKING IF YOUR HORNER: Surfer/artist Nathan Horner, who donated artwork to Surfrider's Art Galas in 2001 and 2002, is again donating a piece this year as well. This year's Art Gala is May 9, 2003.

A COLOSSAL...NO, A CONTINENTAL AIRLINES SCAM: Below is an email I received via the ad department from Rusty surfboards. I edited it down a little.

On a recent Rusty Surfboard demo trip to Puerto Rico, Rusty Surfboard Rep Jason "Haji" Vanderhoof had a very expensive experience with Continental Airlines. Haji that it would be cheaper to bring 12 boards (3 board bags) on the plane (rather than shipping them by air). After an unsuccessful attempt to persuade the check-in lady that there was only one board per bag, the lady forced her way in, and found a total of nine boards. Continental airlines proceeded to charge Haji $1680.00 for the boards. Be wary of Continental airlines. By the way, after boarding the plane and still fuming, Haji started to read, with a combination of disgust and hysteria, a recent Surfer mag, which shed light on the evil ways of Continental airlines. And the moral is: Don't lie to the check-in lady. When she asks you how many boards you have, reach in you pocket and answer your cell phone. Stall. Go to the bathroom. Fake a heart attack. Anything.

BACK ON THE HORSE: John Bilderback sends along news that his website traffic is rippin' right along. Too bad Bildy isn't. A kiteboarding accident has grounded Surfer's icon of Sunset Beach imagery. Bildy promises you'll see him tearing across some Backyards bombs soon. In the meantime check out his website, which is the work of Joe Mastowski, of Plumeria Designs.