Why bodyboarding matters

Bodyboarding pushes the evolution of what people can do on a wave. I know some standup surfers may bite their thumbs at this comment, but it’s true. While standup surfing is pushing the limits of the size of a wave that can be ridden, bodyboarders go deeper and higher than any standup surfer could ever hope to achieve, and it’s to do with equipment, approach and physics. It’s not about ego, and you just need to see the picture below if you need evidence as to what I say.

To boot, when it comes to exploring, bodyboarding also reigns supreme. Bodyboarders from all over the world consistently explore and chuck themselves into waves people don’t know if they can be ridden... and they do it paddling. With the advent of tow in surfing, standup surfers have gotten an additional ego boost by being able to be pulled into waves of consequence. Spots like Shipstern’s Bluff suddenly become accessible to standup riders having themselves pulled into huge slabs of water breaking over precarious reefs... Bodyboarders had been paddling into Shipstern’s for years.

This weekend will have the ASP carrying out a competition in Teahupoo in Tahiti. Their claim to fame is to tame one of the most picturesque waves in the planet... a wave discovered by bodyboarders and also kept a secret for years.

For decades, surf culture has celebrated life on the water, although today’s stand up surfing world is far removed from the soul-searching experience it used to be. In today’s world, being a stand-up surfer can actually be a career if you’re good enough. There have been contests with up to $1,000,000.00 prize money for first place. With that much money, of course there’s incentive to push the limits.

Bodyboarders are not driven by money. Sure, every rider wants to make a living doing what they love, although it’s far from an easy thing because prize money is meager in comparison to what stand-up surfing generates, yet every single day, I see bodyboarders pushing the limits of what can be done with the human body and see stand-up surfers riding incredibly, though not pushing half as hard. Bodyboarders are obsessed with riding, pushing for higher airs, deeper barrels, more complex maneuvers and still, it has a hard time getting to mass media. I’m not going to say there’s an agenda from surf companies to shut down bodyboarding, although I will accept that they haven’t helped.

Still, bodyboarding nowadays is the epitome of commitment, skill and competition. Every single heat is stacked and anyone from anywhere can win because it’s such a parallel playing field. Truly, if you want to see a heated competition, you should definitely see any of the events on the APB world tour... and it so happens you’re in luck.

Today starts the waiting period for the Arica Chilean Challenge, a competition at a wave where standup surfers competed some years ago and aren’t too keen to go back. El Gringo is a coldwater wave that breaks over shallow pummeling reef... it’s a mean wave. In competition, it’s the spot that has injured the most people. When it’s cranking, riders get afraid... for good reason. And it’s one of the favorite spots of the APB tour because it always delivers. 

From psycho rolls onto dry reef to heaving 12 foot barrels, to one of the hugest air attempts in bodyboarding (pictured below), I’ve seen it all at El Gringo and you can too. So by all means, if you want to see what makes bodyboarding special, don’t miss out this event which is live right now.

A Robin takes flight

Every so often, there are events that unite people. It could be a natural disaster; achievements in humanity; New Year’s or even the death of a single human being. A few days ago Robin Williams passed away. Although many people will reflect on the circumstances of his passing, I want to join those who recognize the value a single person can have in the lives of others.

“Bangerang!”

“Good morning Vietnam!!!”

“Nanu-nanu.”

“Oh captain… my captain…”

If you know Robin Williams, you know these lines are just a few of the things we will remember of what seemed like one of the loveliest people many of us will never get to meet. Thanks to Robin Williams, I was able to learn who Hunter “Patch” Adams is through a movie that was roasted by critics, and still I enjoyed. I was able to see a conception of the afterlife that resonates with me.. I mean really resonates with me. I was able to see a grown up man remember that once upon a time, he was just a little boy, unwilling to grow up… until he did.

He gave so many people so many laughs, although there was often an edge of sadness to his best material. Mrs. Doubtfire may be a feel-good movie, true; though think about it, how much did you cry in it? Good Will Hunting tore at me, as did Dead Poets Society, as did much of his often brilliant work. Even Hook had its sad moments; actually this is one of my favorite movies to highlight because even if it was panned by critics (pun intentional), it is beloved by many people of my generation who knew for a fact that Peter’s last name was not Banning, that to save a fairy you need to believe AND to clap your hands and that to fly, you need only happy thoughts and maybe a little pixie dust.

Thinking further, I can’t imagine anyone who could top his portrayal of Popeye or anyone being able to take something as nondescript as Nanu-nanu and transforming it into something timeless and funny. Then I remember Jumanji and laugh at the thought I had as a kid that just maybe a board game could come to life. I even think of Toys, which was awful in its own quirky way and still find many reasons to smile, courtesy of him: from the trippy music video to distract the guards, to the analysis of fake vomit in the R&D Department, to the thinly veiled message that maybe it’s nice to love your real toys and not depend solely on videogames.

Throughout most of his work, he always seemed brilliant, passionate, engaged, kind and ever so delicate. There was tenderness in his voice when he spoke that often got to me because what everyone is realizing, everyone actually already knew. Seeing the reactions of people, it’s hard to think of someone who could garner such love from so many people throughout so many ages, ethnicities, and social classes. He was easy to like.

Hell, when people used to dream of genies, it was a beautiful young woman dressed in pink and red… after 1992, it’s hard to say the word genie and not think of a bluish figure with a knack for expressing puns visually through the magic of… well magic.

There was often something Shakespearean in his manner, especially in his standup material, brilliant in his onstage madness. Yet still, he was also quite able to laugh at a fart joke, something that made me like him even more. He could be brilliant or silly, funny or melancholic, introspective or outgoing, and any combination of these and countless other things… he explored such a wide variety of emotions that it’s sad he wasn’t able to moor his ship elsewhere, on another feeling more befitting someone who was so kind to so many people.

Sadness can be an ocean and one can get lost at sea easily… the thing is, that the more I read of people, their feelings and their reactions to his passing, the more I realize that everyone would have gladly borne a drop of his sadness until the ocean was gone, and he was able to enjoy a little bit of sunshine.

For some people, happiness is actually a choice... others aren't so lucky. Today I am thankful for this freedom and feel the need to choose to smile, to remember fondly, and to imagine a blue eyed Robin soaring high.

There is only Cosplay

I am a fan of cosplayers. Simple as that. 

The fact that someone puts in the time, effort and talent to bring some of my favorite characters to life continuously amazes me. Even more impressive to me are the people behind the cosplay and the motive to begin and continue cosplaying. In Halloween, people often dress up to express some aspects of their persona through costume and makeup, similar to using masks in ancient times. 

Participating in the Puerto Rico Comic Con and through the wildly talented people I follow on Instagram, I've seen people embrace their chosen characters and connecting with other people. The thing is that cosplaying really fascinates me for several reasons:

Kids:

Children at conventions not only meet their favorite superheroes but can even become them. The kindness and patience many cosplayers show kids is a wonderful thing to witness because the sparkle in a child’s eye is easily worth the lines many people endure. I’ve seen men and women of all ages putting in the time and effort so that a little girl or boy remembers that day forever. It’s like people who work at Disney except cosplayers don’t get a paycheck for what they do, they just love doing it. 

Talent:

Here there’s a myriad of things I could focus on. I’ve seen people who are magnificent with makeup, others are masters of costume and sowing, others have insane skills with engineering. When you go to a convention, the sheer skill is amazing. Some people are also very adept into getting into character. I met Porco Rosso in the PRCC (first picture in the post) and also met the Maitlands from Beetlejuice… the emotion I felt as a fan of cosplayers and a fan of the movies who inspired these characters… well it’s just so much fun. 

The Cosplayers themselves:

There are some wildly talented people in cosplay. Some are more famous than others, some have their strengths, others have others, some are super fun to hang out with and others have been able to make cosplaying their career. The thing is that behind the cosplayers, there are many interesting stories to tell. I met some young cosplayers and it was clear that cosplaying was their way of breaking out of their shell. I think that's amazing and something I'll probably touch on later on.

I do follow various cosplayers, though there are some that stand out for me. What I really like from those I follow is the variety of people who embrace the same passion. From literally glam models, to prop makers to average people like you or me. And I love that. I love that people of all likes in life share this same passion and look forwards to their creations. If you’re even remotely new to cosplay, you’ll know Yaya Han and Jessica Nigiri, so here are 13 other people I follow who consistently impress me.

Uncanny Megan: Megan Mobley is a young gal who draws and cosplays. That she can do a great Rogue and Jean Grey should be enough, though my fav is when she goes all Harley Quinn. Add to this more "derp" faces than you can fit in one feed AND the adventures of Sadie, her wonder dog and well, her feed is super fun. 

Riddle’s Messy Wardrobe: I first saw Riddle on Heroes of Cosplay and was extremely impressed with her variety of skills. From seamstress, to welding, Riddle has a skill set that makes me surprised she doesn't work in more movies. To boot, she is a true sweetheart. And face it, sowing leather has to be a pain in the ass. 

Grrryan: Hands down the best Spiderman and Deadpool cosplays I’ve ever seen. The guy is ridiculously fit and I highly suspect women would enjoy washing their clothes using his abs. That the guy is a total goofball rules because he doesn’t take it too seriously, and why should you, you’re having fun. 

Marie Claude Bourbonnais: An honest to god pinup magazine model just happens to be a cosplayer. That she also posts pictures of some of the best chocolate and macaroons in existence is also a plus. That she’s even built some of the stages for photoshoots is impressive and that she’s genuinely kind is also a super bonus, because it shows that behind the model, there's a person with talents, passions and her own brand of geekness. 

Ivy Doom Kitty: Fun loving, foodie cosplayer extraordinaire. One of the things I enjoy about cosplay is that I believe it promotes men and women to embrace their bodies and just focus on having fun. I once read that a young woman was only recently able to feel sexy in her skin through cosplay, a powerful statement which brings various topics to the forefront, some positive though some negative. I have friends who’ve met Ivy and I’ve only heard two things: she’s awesome and she’s gorgeous.

Abby Darkstar: With Abby, I really like her version of the Kotobukiya Jason (Friday the 13^th), her Commander Troi is uncanny (and kinda creepy because she looks so much the part), the Indiana Abby seems like a bunch of fun and the gosh-honest fact that she’s a cool geek are just a few reasons to follow her. :) Oh, and her collection of Dr. Who memorabilia is mental.

Juicy J Cosplay: If you think his Gambit is spot on, seeing him in Nightcrawler getup is downright mental! Like many Cosplayers, Josh is in this to have fun and to truly become the characters he loved as a kid and as an adult. Always happy to see him in my feed and his Piccolo from Dragonball Z is also top notch. One thing though, it has to be such a pain to wash off all that body paint. Still, he has a blast doing it, and why not?

Lanthea Cosplay: Lanthea makes great prop weapons and is also a great cosplayer in her own right. I love how she’s motivated to get healthier to be able to do more cosplays and that she uses her craft as inspiration. In addition, she’s super sweet and will gladly tell you how hard it is to do the things she does, so you make the wise decision and visit her store to get some cool prop weapons or wands (the muggle in me rejoices). 

Golden Freya: Freya is definitely an inspiration for anyone who wants to get fit. Her mermaid, Freya, Power Girl and countless other costumes are awesome in their own right, though what impresses me is her physical transformation. About 4 years ago, she got tired of being overweight and feeling poorly. Fast forward to today and she has gone from someone with countless health problems to a goddamn Valkyrie. Seriously, her arms put most guys’ to shame and that she is getting hitched to a wonderful comic artist who also loves to suit up is just a testament to how cool love stories can be in cosplay. 

Harley’s Joker: Since I was 10, I’ve had a fixation with the Joker… though nothing like this. Harley’s Joker takes costume, makeup and method acting to the next level, embracing one of my most beloved characters. It’s insane how much he looks as if he walked out of a comic book. Brilliant.

Vampy Bitme: One of my two favorite cosplayers, Vampy is the most talented doing props and elaborate costumes, see her sculptures or take a look at her recent gundam suit to understand what I’m saying. Highly talented, her versions of Psylocke, Tifa and Chun Lis are pretty much the best I’ve ever seen, with the exception of Yaya Han.

Miss Sinister: In cosplay makeup, she pulled off a look that seemed like she was a cell shaded video game character. In addition, she can pull off a female Sagat… let that sink in and by all means check her out. Pretty much one of the elite cosplayers in the world and someone I always keep an eye out for.

As you can see, cosplay has the potential of bridging gaps and bringing people together from all walks of life. I've seen people from hundreds of countries, countless ethnicities and from anywhere join with the same intention to say this is me, this is what I like and we're just a little crazy, a lot talented, a teeny bit odd, a good amount of geeky and we understand each other. 

That’s because when it comes to cosplay, there is no gender, no height, no weight, no color, no cellulite, no race, no religion, no inhibitions, no discrimination and no segregation... 

there is only cosplay. 

Method to Madness: Let go of the hand brake

Blocks happen and you have to somehow break through that wall. Taking into account that your mind is connected to your body and one possible solution could be as simple as letting your hand go…. literally.

I will forever recommend people to write in pen/pencil and paper than computer for various reasons, and one is because writing is either kinetic or mechanical depending on where you are writing. Using a typewriter or computer is not the same as writing with your hand; it can’t be because in one you use different parts of your brain to communicate than the other. In one you execute a series of commands that when put into sequence punch letters in an order whereas when you write with your hand, there are less commands and it can even be one fluid motion. 

If you happen to hit a block, here’s something you can try: 

First off, get yourself some scratch paper or notebooks for taking notes. Then take a pencil or pen and start swirling it on the paper, around and around and around. Don’t think of anything, just focus on getting your hand to move, make it a kinetic relationship between you and what your pen is doing. Start swirling, doing spirals, lift the pen or leave it on the paper, whatever works for you. Just focus on the wonder and dexterity of your wrist. Then while swirling, even if it’s not legible, start writing words, single words, phrases, anything that comes to your mind. Transcribe lyrics of your favorite songs, passages from books, dialogue from a movie, anything. Add to that flowing motion and see how easy you are able to flow and create words. Never mind what they say, just keep writing. Use new paper, fresh paper. See how you start filling it up with lines and occasional words. While thinking of your story, don’t write about your story… hold out. Tease yourself by writing names of your characters in the spirals and swirls. Become a mad painter with your brush and do that for ten minutes straight. Use as much paper as you want and just realize how easy it is to fill a paper with lines.

Then, take a five minute break and close your eyes. 

Visualize the paper. 

Visualize words materializing and landing on the paper. 

Think of it like rain… first one drop – one word… then another… then another… then a drizzle… then heavier rain and when you feel like the storm is going to really rip… open your eyes, look at the blank paper in front of you… and let it rain.