First of all, I’d like to extend my sympathy and condolences to Thor’s family, SL and RL. Though I didn’t know him as well as Keala did, it’s always distressing and saddening to lose a member of the family, and as far as I’m concerned, he will always be a member of Namiko, and his spirit will always inspire us to succeed and show us what Namiko is all about.

Now then. I have a question for my fellow riders. Is it just me, or is the whole surfing thing just getting a little… I don’t know, lame? Stale? I mean, we’ve got like two tricks to do, it’s the same old nonsense over and over again. I wish there was something new, and I’m sure many of you can relate. That’s probably why I rarely see my fellow riders on the waves nowadays, and it’s that very same sentiment that causes me to slap my board in the sand instead of tearing it up like I used to.

I’m sure some of you (especially you, Keala) have noticed I don’t come around Second Life nearly as much as I used to. That is because, just as surfing, it’s all become so.. lame. You know? I wish there was something new, something revolutionary that would draw me in, make me love this virtual world again. I don’t know what point I’m trying to get across here, really I’m just looking for a little feedback. How many of you are sick of this repetitive crap, and if so, can you think of any ways to fix it / improve it? Cause I could use a couple suggestions. I’m running on empty. The contest idea is cool and was executed flawlessly, but it doesn’t seem like enough. God knows Keala has done enough for us, now it’s time we do something for Namiko ourselves. I don’t know, that’s just my five cents.

Take it or leave it.

Words fail me now as I write this, so deeply saddened by the loss of our friend, brother, husband, fellow surfer, team rider, and all-around inspiring spirit, Thor Bishop. Thor passed away unexpectedly at his real life home in New York on Tuesday, October 9th.

Thor and I met for the first time in March this past year when he approached me about joining the Namiko Surf Team. His enthusiasm and excitement were undeniable… he wanted to be the first-ever blue-haired, tatted and pierced punk surfer on the team. I could not have been more proud to have Thor as part of our team. He was passionate about surfing in both SL and RL and was the only person to have surfed in every single surf contest in SL. Just seeing (and hearing) Thor at an event, whether it was a surf contest or a regular night at the club, brightened the mood and made everybody laugh.

I will remember Thor ragging on me for making him wear a seafoam puke green rashie for one of the surf comps… and then him being randomly selected to wear the hot pink rashie for the next comp. He totally saw the fun and light in everything and got the perfect pink mohawk to match his pink rashguard. I said it was a coincidence… he said it was karma and laughed.

Thor introduced me to his lovely kitty, Sierra Sugar, when we were looking for an MC for the first surf contest. He was absolutely smitten with her and spoke so highly of her talents. Thor and Sierra were inseperable and it was obvious that their love transcended any medium, any distance. I loved hearing them on air together, playing off each other, laughing, giggling… Thor teasing Sierra and Sierra giggling away. I am sure I am not alone when I say that they felt like my family. Thor and Sierra’s friendship and love touched all of us.

So energized and motivated, Thor designed the first shortboards in SL and started his own company, Big Dawg Boards. The release of his shortboards spawned two shortboard-specific surf contests. His contribution to the surfing community is immeasurable but what I will miss most about Thor is his boundless energy, enthusiasm and spirit. Just hearing him yell, “Hey Miss Strudel!” brings a smile to my face.

Our deepest condolences to Thor’s RL fiancee, Sierra, Thor’s family and friends. Thor, you will always be in our hearts and thoughts.

Keala Mimistrobell
On behalf of Namiko Surf Co.

Check it out… MBC shot some great footage of the contest yesterday…

Click To Play

And here are the results from the final:

1. Craig Stallion
2. ritch Goalpost
3. Mape Riptide
4. Colleen Brennan
5. Frankie Miles
6. Gypsie Summers
7. Tightline Kidd

Congratulations everybody!! Way to go, Craig!

Being the flickr addict that I seem to be, I take a lot of photos in SL. Lots of photos. Lots of photos at Quan Li. Now, you’ve seen a ton of mine… let’s see yours!

You might notice there’s a new little photo board on the beach at Quan Li. There’s photos here of Quan Li locals… surfing, dancing, being neko, chatting, goofing off, getting hitched… and everything in between. The latest ones are of beach regulars, Desne and Xinalina as nurses (you gotta see it), Paper Foil, and Rip… the tiny surfing puppy dressed as a samurai. Yeah, you gotta see it.

Feel free to add your own shots to the board, or drop them to me in-world and I’ll add ‘em for you. OR, if you’re a flickr addict like myself, add ‘em to the new groups:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/quanli/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/surfingsecondlife/

Mmm… so, let’s see your shots!