The Girl called Bindy

*Belinda Baggs*

photo by Adam Kobayashi from Liquid Salt Magazine

Belinda Baggs is one of the reasons Nikki and I fell in love with logging.

Her style and grace make her one, if not the, most beautiful surfers to watch. ( In fact, we think that she is one of the most beautiful people on this planet.) Whatever she does in the water, whether on the nose of her log with her signature knees together perch or simply swimming in the ocean's embrace is art…

is a masterpiece.

photo by Adam Kobayashi from Liquid Salt Magazine

photo by Adam Kobayashi from Liquid Salt Magazine

She glides effortlessly on knee high peelers.

photo by Adam Kobayashi from Liquid Salt Magazine

And charges waves most of us would never even dare to surf in a thousand years.

"Surfing, or riding waves on any medium, pretty much is my life. It dictates where I will be, when I will be there and, more importantly, gives me a sense of purpose and the reason that I am who I am. It is my passion; it has been since before I can remember and has always lead me throughout the different directions that my life has taken. Surfing gives me hope throughout the down times, creates dreams, provides adventure and is a place that in any society you can be 100% free. It’s love. It can give that spiritual connection with nature, fulfill that sense of wildness, and, on occasion, be nothing more than pure fun."

Taken from LiquidSaltMag's interview with Belinda Baggs.

photo from the Style Sociele Blog

Belinda also happens to be a very talented artist. This is a photo of her with one of her favorite logs which she painted on. Unfortunately, she mysteriously lost this board while surfing in the Mentawais. We're still hoping the two of you get reunited someday Bindy…

( We just got word that a fisherman found the board already!)

We were truly blessed to have been given the chance to meet her in person and spend a wonderful evening with Adam Kobayashi, and their cute little acrobat named Rayson.

Adam Kobayashi training Rayson for those perfect 10's.

Me and the lady I would love to surf like. Was pinching my hand to check if I was dreaming.

Everyone was so eager to listen to Belinda's stories.

The Filipina longboarding crew who are huge fans of Bindy.

Nikki couldn't control herself when she found out we were meeting Belinda.

Sorry Belinda, we couldn't help but ask for your autograph :)

The surf dvd that first introduced us to Belinda.

Who ever thought she would be signing our copy.


clip from our favorite surf film- Sprout

"Lady Slide"

"To Coast Thru Life,

♥ the ocean, ♥ our logs, and ♥ life."

- Belinda Baggs

Was so inspired that evening and couldn't sleep so I got a pen and started doodling.

Thanks for inspiring us in so many ways Belinda!

To find out more about Belinda, check out her Patagonia profile.

more photos on our facebook page.

coast thru life

Teaser: Oceana

Just a teaser of a new short vid we're working on.

Music : "Time to Wander" by Gypsy and the Cat

Buji can't hide his excitement.

Picking up some new items from Aloha Boardsports.

His new stealthy Nixon Time Teller.

RVCA!!!

Thanks Aloha Boardsports!

Coast Thru Life @ the 7th Manila Surfers' Cup

Photo by Hawaiian Ryan

Congratulations to Coast Thru Life's Buji Brownlegs for winning the FCS Men's Longboard Invitational and Nikki Baby for a back to back win in the Women's FCS Shortboard and Longboard Invitational. Thank you Manila Surfers Association, LUSC, Aloha Boardsports (Official), and all the sponsors for making the

7th Manila Surfers' Cup a great success. Salute MSA peeps!

photo from Blunt Magazine

photo by Charlie Gomez

photo by Charlie Gomez

photo by Jay Musni

photo by Jay Musni

photo by Charlie Gomez

Photo by Charlie Gomez

Partying the night before..tsk tsk..Good luck waking up at 6am comp day.

photo by Charlie Gomez

photo by Charlie Gomez

Till next year.

photo by Charlie Gomez

for more stories & photos of the entire event check out these links :)

Coast Thru Life facebook page: MSA Cup album

Sunshine, Surf & Free Ice Cream at the 7th Manila Surfers' Cup

Official photos from the Manila Surfers' Association

Scenes from the Union by Blunt Magazine

PhilStar.com

nikki

Nikki's blog

gone sailing in boradise

Got on board a Pinoy-style sail boat and enjoyed a quiet, relaxing, and eco-friendly way to go island hopping.

Hanging Ten on an invisible board.

more photos at our facebook page

Almond Surfboards and Designs

I've heard and known about this really cool brand Almond that's been making waves for quite sometime. Being a huge old school fan myself, I was really drawn to their vintage, classic, clean, and simple aesthetic. From their cool films, their store, their site, their old school boards and fins, to their enthusiasts, you can't help but imbibe the entire "good old days" vibe and everything that is Almond.

When I was in Santa Cruz visiting my brother last summer, I was really hoping I'd get to check out their shop. Bummed at thinking I wouldn't have the chance to travel down to SoCal anymore, I checked out Almond's website and ordered the Almond D fin that I've always wanted to take back home to the Philippines.

It was even Dave Allee, owner of Almond, who personally took care of my order,made sure that it would be shipped to me in San Jose on time, and even slipped in a few stickers.

(If you'd look closely, there's a shaka somewhere there.)

I couldn't stop looking at this shiny smoked black gem and even played around with it against the light, pretended it was a shark's fin, and stuff a kid does with a new toy. Fell asleep with the fin beside me.

The next morning, I found out my trip was extended and that my brother and I could actually drive down to LA after all. Before I knew it, I found myself walking into Almond Surfboards and Designs' door.

I was greeted by Almond's shop manager Jeff Alley.

Everything inside was cool.

Miguel checking out this green little piggie.

The coolest surf bike ever.

Vintage wooden box for your wax, lunch, or a really small friend.

We could have watched Nate surf all day.

Let's go planking.

Just add wheels and miles of pure fun await.

Fresh fish for sale.

Life truly is.

Was really a pleasure to meet these cool cats.

The Almond Crew: (from left to right)

Jeffrey Allee, Dave Allee (founder of Almond Surfboards and Designs), and Taylor Allee.

The family that stays together, surfs together.

Thanks for having us guys!

We couldn't agree more.

Oh and even if I was already on a tight budget and only had a couple of bucks left in my wallet,

I just couldn't resist buying this mouth watering apple green D.

This week marks the 3rd year anniversary of Almond Surfboards and Designs.

Let the good vibes roll by!

Be sure to check em out at

Almond Surfboards and Designs