Nollie: Weird Stuff

May 22, 2008 2:19 PM

VIDEO: Indoor surfing in the UK part one (Swansea LC)

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Indoor surfing: is it the future or just plain daft? Following in the footsteps of the UK's artificial ski slopes (the dryslope brush variety and the indoor giant fridges), two technophile ways to get your surf fix have opened this spring. In a wave of publicity, including a visit by the Queen, the indoor Surf Rider opened in Swansea's LC after their £32 million re-opening in April.

Inspired by the huge artificial wave pools of Japan and beyond, it's the first of it's kind in the world, but has been greeted with mixed reactions. Locals love the standing wave machine as it provides a perfect way to learn, or practice, surfing. But a few others have experienced nasty wipeouts or worse - sixteen year under 18s champion Gwen Spurlock had an accident on the opening day, (read the BBC report), suffering bleeding of the brain.

Keep reading to check out a video of sponsored surfer Beth Mason to decide for yourself wether indoor surfing is weird, or wonderful...

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Posted by Gemma Freeman in Audio and Videocasts, Events, News, Surfing, Weird Stuff
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May 13, 2008 3:45 PM

Music Club no.3: meet Foo Fighter's Dave Grohl favourite guitarist Kaki King

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You can't get a bigger compliment than having Dave Grohl sing your praises to the world, as acoustic guitar genius and singer / songwriter ingénue Kaki King knows full well. Not your average New York solo hipster, her phenomenal talent impressed the Foo Fighters mainman so much he took her on tour around the world - from London to Sydney - on his band's budget.

Neither jazz, pop or new folk - her music started as a showcase for her guitar skills via pure instrumentals, but now she's expanded her sound to encompass beautiful soaring indie pop songs.

(Keep reading to see videos and listen)

Continue reading "Music Club no.3: meet Foo Fighter's Dave Grohl favourite guitarist Kaki King"

Posted by Gemma Freeman in Art, Audio and Videocasts, Events, Links, Style, Weird Stuff
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April 30, 2008 3:19 PM

Music Club: Angus and Julia Stone - win their debut EP!

From their Mum's sun drenched, surf lined home of Newport, Australia, to the creative chaos that is their bi-annual home of London, England, (recording in Fran Healey of Travis's bedroom) brother-sister raconteurs Angus and Julia Stone create beautiful and quirky, acoustic-pop-folk that will fill your heart with joy. Ok, so I'm gushing, but honestly, their tender, heartfelt ballads are a rare gem of pure beauty, bursting with unique vintage charm and blissed out daydreams - the perfect soundtrack to a summer by the beach.

You can witness their gorgeousness live as they're currently on tour throughout the UK, to support the release of their debut album A Book Like This out now, dates are:

MAY 1st BRIGHTON, Hanbury Club (ticketweb.co.uk/01273 606312)
2nd SOUTHAMPTON, Joiners (seetickets.com/0870 264 3333)
4th EXETER, Cavern (seetickets.com/0870 264 3333)
5th FALMOUTH, Princess Pavilions (seetickets.com/0871 2200260)
6th BRISTOL, Thekla (gigantic.com/08713 100 000)
7th LONDON, Scala (livenation.co.uk/0870 6603 52)
8th LONDON, Scala (livenation.co.uk/08700 600 100) SOLD OUT!

To celebrate Nollie has 5 copies of their debut double disc EP (sold out on Amazon!) Heart Full of Wine / Chocolate and Cigarettes to give away; keep reading to find out how to win and to watch the Stone siblings for yourself...

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Posted by Gemma Freeman in Audio and Videocasts, Events, Links, Movies, News, Surfing, Travel, Weird Stuff
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April 28, 2008 2:22 PM

Surfers brave beach after San Diego's fatal shark attack

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Scary stuff: the first fatal shark attack seen by San Diego County, California, for fifty years occured on Friday when a triathlon swimmer was bitten in two by a Great White Shark.

Despite huge signs warning 'SHARK ATTACK' by Fletcher Cove on Solana Beach, which is set to open today for the first time since the incident happened there, braver surfers in the Southern Cali beach are still using the beach, although with a large dose of fear.

Along with retirees and holidaymakers, they've helped create a make shift memorial in honour of the victim there: retired Veterinarian Dave Martin, 66, who was killed while swimming near his home on Friday morning when the baby Great White was supposedly hunting for seals.

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Posted by Gemma Freeman in News, Surfing, Travel, Weird Stuff
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