Location: SurfWatch Web Site

Since there is obviously a virtual racing scene, why not one for virtual surfing?

I’d like to thank Barchan Paderborn for telling me about SurfWatch, dedicated to reporting where, how, and when to catch waves in the metaverse.  I’d seen a story about his blog in Wagner James Au’s New World Notes, and then Barchan dropped me an e-mail.

As Second Life develops better “physics” and coders have their way with its open-source scripting language, we’ll see virtual sports that compete with a decent video game for playability.  It’s natural that leagues, teams, and competitions will emerge. Jezz and I have both seen that at the Motorsports and Autosports regions, where races are common.  Barchan’s latest entry (as of my writing this) covers “The 2008 Second Life Surfing Association (SLSA) Season One Champion Awards Party.”

I’ll avoid any poorly delivered surfing terms here!  I’m not a surfer, but it’s exciting to see this type of community blossom online.  Barchan welcomes guest-writers, but he notes that “interested contributors contact me first before writing. . . .other than style guidelines, all the stories are written as if they are real life versus commenting on SL from [real life].”

Real-life surfing publications are taking an interest in Barchan’s work, he reports. Now I’m tempted to grab a board and try my luck. It would make for an amusing guest-column for SurfWatch. Some of my students have gone virtual surfing and loved the experience.

DMZ oh, the avatar of a former student, provided the image of him on the beach and about to catch some waves.

Be sure to check the “In a Strange Land” Archive for old posts

So, when’s Pappy gonna hang his gnarly ten toes? I tried to post a comment about your visit to the funhouse but it wouldn’t take.
Jez on a hook was an image worthy of Ed Gein for sure!

Thanks for the mention Joe!

FYI SurfWatch is taking advantage of the mid-year break in the Second Life surfing season to post some beginners surfing tips and surf spot guides on the blog during the next couple of weeks (so now you have no excuse!).

Hope to see you on the waves soon!

Barchan

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