Alan Akaka, steel guitar
Kaliko Beamer-Trapp, Hawaiian language and ukulele
Dr. Samuel Gon III, oli (chant)
Uluwehi Guerrero, hula
Ozzie Kotani, slack key guitar
Dennis Lake, ukulele building
Herb Ohta, Jr., ukulele
Anakala Philipo Solatario, storytelling and kukakuka (discussion)
For more information and registration, visit www.AlohaMusicCamp.com.

Looking for a new way to celebrate Valentine’s Day this year? Renew your marriage vows at Outrigger Hotels and Resorts on the most romantic day of the year. A non-denominational kahu (priest/officiate) will conduct complimentary vow renewal ceremonies for hotel guests registered at any Outrigger Hotel in the Hawaiian Islands. Couples will receive a certificate and a photograph memento to commemorate the special day. For more information, visit www.Outrigger.com.

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Guests can now enjoy a newly renovated Courtyard Kauai at Coconut Beach featuring $13 million of updated public spaces, restaurants, meeting rooms, lobby, and recreational amenities. Highlights of the renovation, which was completed in January, include a reconfigured pool, new jacuzzi, expanded fitness center, family game room, and an eLounge with the latest technology for guests to stay connected with friends and families while on the island. The ocean-view restaurant, Voyager Grill, is also offering new menus featuring Hawaii Regional Cuisine with fresh ingredients from local farms. For more information, visit www.Marriott.com.

TRANSPORTATION

On June 7, United Airlines will launch a new daily route between Washington DC’s Dulles International Airport and Honolulu International Airport (Oahu), providing the only nonstop service between the two points. United is currently the largest carrier servicing Hawaii from the mainland U.S. For more information, visit United.com.

ACCOLADES

Five Hawaii establishments have been awarded with the AAA Five Diamond Award and 28 others have earned the Four Diamond Award for 2012.

The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua (Maui), Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, and Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Kaupulehu (Hawaii Island) earned the Five Diamond status in the lodging category while Oahu’s Chef Mavro and La Mer at the Halekulani both earned Five Diamond designations for the restaurant category.

For more information and to see a complete list of the Five Diamond and Four Diamond winners, visit www.NewsRoom.AAA.com.

TripAdvisor’s 2012 Traveler’s Choice Awards honors several Hawaii hotels in various categories voted on by the website’s readers. The Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea led the pack, earning the most honors including No. 3 for Best Hotels in the US, No. 12 for Best Hotels for Service in the US, and No. 16 for Best Luxury Hotel in the US. Other highlights for Hawaii include:

St. Regis Princeville (Kauai): 6th for Best Luxury Hotels in the US

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai at Historic Kaupulehu (Hawaii Island): 16th for Best Hotels in the US

Koa Kea Hotel and Resort (Kauai): 23rd for Best Hotels in the US

The Kahala Hotel and Resort (Oahu): 25th for Best Luxury Hotels in the US

Travaasa Hana (Maui): 25th for Best Relaxation/Spa Hotels in the US.
For more information, visit TripAdvisor.com.

This surfboard looking robot is called Wave Glider, and is bound to change the way data is collected from the oceans. Liquid Robotics is also a leader in big data management, as outlined in an earlier post by Bob Gourley.

Wave Glider has a multitude of operational applications ranging from Government/Defense uses to Scientific/Environmental uses to Commercial/Industrial uses. It can benefit resource detection, fishery management, information gathering, military and law enforcement related missions, sea life tracking and tsunami warning, or pollution testing and resource discovery. Wave Glider has recently completed several hallmark trips through the ocean, including a circumnavigation of the island of Hawaii, a voyage from Hawaii to California (2500 miles), and a loitering mission of more than 1 year.

The next step for Liquid Robotics and their wave glider is in partnership with Google Earth and Virgin Oceanic, the PacX. On November 17 Liquid Robotics launched 4 Wave Gliders that will travel across the Pacific Ocean. This will be a Guinness Record for longest distance traveled by an Unmanned Maritime Vehicle (UMV). The four Wave Gliders are expected to collect approximately 2.25 million discrete data points, and take more than 300 days to complete their voyage.

How the Wave Glider works © Liquid Robotics

During their voyage, they will transmit valuable ocean data on salinity, water temperature, waves, weather, fluorescence, and dissolved oxygen. Throughout their journey, the Wave Gliders will build an enormous data set, provided free of charge and in real-time, to the world’s scientists, educators, students, and the general public. Liquid Robotics is making this data available to anyone who registers.

Another amazing aspect of the PacX is Virgin Oceanic’s submarine, which will accompany the voyage an subsequently do a dive to the depths of the Mariana Trench. The Mariana Trench is the deepest part of our ocean, and has never been explored by humans. Virgin has designed and built a submarine made of 8000 lbs of titanium and composite material that is up to the challenge.

Virgin CEO Richard Brosnan will be co pilot of the vessel as it undertakes this 5 hour dive to new depths for humanity. As someone who loves to SCUBA dive and admires the oceans for its size, power, and mystery, I am excited to see what Liquid Robotics has in store for the future and I will surely be checking in occasionally on the status of PacX.

BEACHBOOKER.COM CARIBBEAN wide

www.liquidr.com

Womens’ Surf Camp transitions from girlhood to womanhood

Carmel-by-the-Sea — This year, Las Olas Surf Safaris will be celebrating its “Quinceañera,” fifteen years of women surfing together in Mexico.

In Mexican culture, the Quinceañera is a special 15-year birthday celebration marking the transition from girlhood to womanhood. Similar to a wedding (minus the groom), the event often showcases elaborate dresses, tiaras, and a towering cake.

Fifteen years ago, when few women surfed, Bev Sanders fell in love with a small coastal village south of the border and decided to host women’s surf camps at the beachfront location.

Since then, Las Olas has successfully introduced thousands of women to the joy of warm water surfing and defined a popular category for women’s adventure tourism worldwide – the surf camp for women. This year, two Las Olas guests will be returning for their fifth surf safaris.

“In 1997, it was uncommon to be a female surfer, let alone travel to a small village in Mexico to surf,” states Sanders.

“It was also rare to see local women in the water, surfing.”

When Sanders and her team shared flowered rash guards (surf shirts) and surfboards with local girls, things began to change.

Today, many Mexican women surf, and one of Las Olas’ instructors is a Mexican National Champion.

On February 23, 2012, Las Olas will be hosting a Quinceañera celebration in Mexico with locals and guests.

“The bonds we have with the people of Mexico is important to me,” says Sanders.

“For fifteen years, they have welcomed our guests, shared their waves and town, and opened their hearts. The bright side of Mexico deserves media recognition, too. And we’re going to party like it’s 1997!”

“Our motto “We make girls out of women” was created the year we began and fits to this day,” says Sanders.

“Those words help inform our important mission which is ultimately to empower women, and to have fun while doing it.”

Las Olas was founded in 1997 by Bev Sanders, a pioneer in women’s board sports who learned to surf at the age of 44.

www.surflasolas.com

“The Inaugural Australian Open of Surfing will reinforce Manly Beach and Sydney’s reputation as a top surfing destination not just for pro-surfers, but for any traveler interested in a vibrant coastal lifestyle and all the activities that go along with that,” said Sandra Chipchase, Chief Executive Officer at Destination New South Wales. “Manly Beach is a destination gem in Sydney and this event will help to showcase all that it has to offer young travelers – not only an unbelievable surf location, but the hub of live music, surf lifestyle, great restaurants, shopping, museums and art.”
Destination New South Wales, along with event sponsors Hurley and Billabong are partnering to bring the event to Manly Beach.

While the surf competition will take center stage, the other activities have been designed to attract beach lovers, surfing enthusiasts and youth travelers alike. A unique wooden bowl structure, dubbed the “Beach Bowl,” has been constructed especially for the skateboarding competition, which will feature three divisions – Juniors, Pro, and Pro Masters – showcasing more than 80 competitors. The total prize winnings being awarded to skateboarders tops $50,000, and promises to draw notable athletes from around the world. Large scale music performances from Australian bands and artists will also hit the stage throughout the event, drawing music lovers out to the sand for some music in the famous Australian summer sun.

“I grew up surfing New South Wales’ beaches and to me, there is no better surf destination in the world,” said Sally Fitzgibbons, winner of the ASP Women’s World Title at the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, CA in July 2011 and New South Wales native. “New South Wales is full of incredible surf spots, and Manly Beach is one of the best in the world. I’m so excited that the surf community is recognizing the amazing surfing Australia and Manly Beach have to offer by hosting this world renowned event there.”

Along with the featured athletic events, attendees will also have the opportunity to partake in unique Manly Beach activities and Australian surf culture. The area offers extensive opportunities for waterfront dining, exciting nightlife, contemporary fashion boutiques, museums and adventure activities. Adventure and sports enthusiasts can partake in some of Manly’s offerings such as beach volleyball, kayaking, paddle boarding, surf lessons, or even whale watching while the more retail oriented traveler can stroll through the stores, arcades and boardwalks discovering Australian handmade jewelry, clothes, shoes and artworks.
To celebrate the Australian Open of Surfing, Destination New South Wales and STA Travel are partnering to offer affordable travel packages to young travelers starting as low as $1,383 per person including roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles and five nights’ accommodation at a choice of hotels. Additional nights are available for as low as $54 per person. Rates are based on twin share accommodation valid for travel February 16-20, 2012. Prices are valid for students or those aged 26 years or less. For more information and to purchase travel packages, please visit http://www.statravel.com/virgin-australia-student-tickets.htm
Manly Beach is home to more than 100 years of surf heritage, and was the host of the first World Surfing Championships in 1964. The “Path of Olympians” lines the boardwalk honoring notable athletes of the past and commemorates the area’s rich athletic heritage. Many world famous surfers call New South Wales home including Sally Fitzgibbons, winner of the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, CA in August 2011, Layne Beachley and Barton Lynch adding to Manly’s tie to the surfing community. Manly’s unique history in the world of surfing from its iconic surf culture to its deep athletic history makes it the perfect location to host this inaugural event.

For more information, please visit www.Sydney.com

The iconic Fistral Beach, famed for hosting the Boardmasters surf contest, is the perfect spot to test out surfing skills. If it’s good enough for 11 times World Surfing Champion Kelly Slater, it’s good enough for us! Or, for families looking for smaller beaches with easy access to the town, both Towan and Tolcarne beaches provide the perfect setting for fun frolics in the sea, and there is an abundance of uber cool surf instructors available to teach all ages and abilities. And, with plentiful surf schools offering everything from group classes to one-on-one sessions (including video lessons in which you are filmed) as well as options such as bodyboarding and the new trend of stand-up paddle boarding, everyone can discover their inner-surfer whilst having a fab holiday.

Alternatively, for the adventurous seeking a challenge, coasteering experts can give you a whole new view of the coast as you scramble, slide and swim your way around the cliffs. Secret caves, blowholes and plunge pools are just some of the stunning features to be encountered and there’s always the chance you might spot dolphins, seals and any number of marine bird species as you go.

Budding surf dudes and dudettes can unwind and rest tired bodies with a rejuvenating Quiksilver or Roxy Surfer’s spa treatment and in the evening, chill-out with a private beach barbeque or a fabulously fresh seafood dinner filled with locally caught produce. Afterwards, unwind with a drink in a beach bar so close to the shore you can hear the waves crash as you sip. Then, wake up in cool coastal comfort in a room with amazing sea views and do it all over again. It’s a hard life being a surfer.

The ultimate surf experience…

Stay…

Splurge – Headland Hotel: www.headlandhotel.co.uk
Iconic hotel perched on a cliff overlooking the Fistral Beach
Spend – Bay Hotel: http://www.newquay-hotels.co.uk/the-bay.html
Chic coastal hotel and spa right by the beach
Save- Reef Surf Lodge: www.reefsurflodge.info
Laidback surf lodge is perfect for the eager surfer looking to immerse themselves in Newquay’s awesome surf culture

Eat…

Splurge – Silks Champagne Bar and Bistro: www.silksbistro.co.uk For stylish surfers, opt for a meal at Silks in their super chic restaurant which boasts a champagne bar, sushi bar and deliciously fresh meals brimming with local produce.
Spend – Kahuna Restaurant: www.kahunatolcarne.co.uk  Dine in true surf-style alfresco at Kahuna where fresh seafood and gourmet barbeques are readily available.
Save – Bodhis Beach Cafe: www.bodhisfistral.co.uk This cool shore-side cafe and restaurant was named after the character is 90s surf movie, Point Break and offers great lunches.

Chill out at…

The Beach Bar: www.fistral-blu.co.uk/beachbar.html  Loved for its laid-back atmosphere the Beach Bar is a favourite local hangout.
Belushis – www.belushis.com/bars/newquay  Enjoy a post-surf drink in the cliff-top beer garden overlooking Towan Beach.

Unwind at…

Fistral Spa: www.newquay-hotels.co.uk/fistral-spa.html  Based at the Bay Hotel, Fistral Spa offers relaxing treatments, including Roxy and Quiksilver surf treatments, in a gorgeous spa just a few minutes’ walk from the sand.

Splash and plunge…
Newquay Activity Centre: www.newquayactivitycentre.co.uk
Surf lessons from £30pp
Coasteering £40pp
Stand-up paddle boarding from £40pp
Getting there…
By plane: Fly to Newquay from London or Manchester with Flybe from £80pp return: www.flybe.com
By train: Travel by train to Newquay train station with First Great Western Trains: www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk
By bus: www.firstgroup.com

Or by car

Gold Coast — Bleach* Surfing the Fringe, the Gold Coast’s inaugural surf culture festival, has added a free outdoor screening of the award-winning Bustin’ Down the Door to its array of surf film offerings. Bleach* will host over fifty-five art and photography installations, talks, and film, music, fashion, theatre and food events staged across the spectacular beaches, foreshores and major venues unique to the Southern Gold Coast from 11-26 Feb 2012.

www.bleachfestival.com.au

For 16 days, across 10kms, over 80 artists and musicians will be on display during Bleach* Surfing the Fringe’s varied schedule. Bustin’ Down the Door documents the birth of professional surfing through the lives of local legend Wayne ‘Rabbit’ Bartholomew, South Africa’s Shaun Tomson, Aussie legends Mark Richards and Ian Cairns and a host of other surfing greats.

As this epic tale of persistence, evolution and revolution never enjoyed a national cinema release this screening will be a rare opportunity to see the film on the big screen.

The event has been organised as a way to give back to Coolangatta, Rabbit Barthomolmew’s hometown and the place where his journey to international surf stardom began. “I am stoked to present a free public screening of Bustin’ Down the Door right here in Coolangatta as part of this new festival,” Bartholomew said. The evening will also feature a live couch chat session with some of the films’ stars who will be available for autograph signings after the show.

Bustin’ Down the Door joins an enticing Bleach* surf movie schedule that includes several local premieres as well as classic film re-launches, all with entry for free or by donation.

These films include In Natural Flow, the revolutionary 1972 Steve Core film that captured the style of a new generation. The full-restored 16 mm footage of surf luminaries MP, PT, Rabbit, Peter Drouyn, Simon Anderson and many others will be dusted off for one of its first public screenings in almost 30 years. The experience will be enhanced by the vibrant tones of 3Illa playing a live set.

Surf World Gold Coast Museum will host Retrospect, an evening filled with films featuring longboards, 8mm film and footage straight from the 60’s, 70’s and even a little of the 80’s. Witness the resurgence of the past with feature films including Paul Witzig’s 1967 classic Hot Generation and legendary surf visionary George Greenough’s Deep Tube Riding, Wipeout and All I’ve Found short films plus other great footage.

Patagonia and Fuel TV will present two consecutive evenings of free outdoor movie screenings when Surf Surf Films takes over Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta.

Summer Surf Films opening night movies include short flick Lunchbreak (starring Laura Enever, Tyler and Kirby Wright, Serena Brooke, Ellie-Jean Coffey and more) plus the local premiere of Come Hell Or High Water, surfer Keith Malloy’s new movie exploring the simplicity and beauty of riding waves from a different perspective. His directional debut showcases the talent of Mark Cunningham, Mike Stewart, Dan Malloy, Chris Malloy, Koa Watson, Belinda Baggs and more, and was the winner of Best Film and Best Cinematography awards at both the New York Surf Film Festival 2011 and London Surf Film Festival 2011.

Nigh two of Summer Surf Films will see a special screening of legendary surf filmer Jack McCoy’s Blue Sway, a film clip shot for musical royalty, Sir Paul McCartney. This will be followed by Under The Sun, a feature length documentary by Emmy award-winning filmmaker Cyrus Sutton filmed on location in Byron Bay and the Gold Coast which examines where the commercialisation of surfing stems from. Shot in super 16mm, it stars Dave Rastovich, Nat Young, Beau Young, Rabbit Bartholomew, and Dean Morrison. The soundtrack is by Californian funk label Ubiquity Records and includes music from Australia’s Afro Dizzi Act and Band Of Frequencies.

The local theme will continue at a separate evening centred around new feature Sons of Beaches 72’, an art & film installation charting the evolution of the pro surfing movement that sprung from the Gold Coast.

The movie’s focal point is the 1972 Australian Surfing Team, a line-up of raw young talent who revolutionized the surfing world with short board speed, power moves and deep tube riding without legropes. The team was led by Michael Peterson and luminaries Peter ‘PT’ Townend, Paul and Rick Neilsen, Mark Warren, Grant ‘Dappa’ Oliver, Ian ‘Kanga’ Cairns, Terry Fitzgerald, Col Smith, Tony Hardwick, Andrew ‘AndyMac’ McKinnon and juniors Simon Anderson, Mark Richards and Rabbit Bartholomew.

To shed light on this pivotal time, Producer Glen Blight accessed Peter Townend’s personal collection of original surf press clippings and photos, and this interactive installation showcases PT’s collection alongside art, film and on-the-couch sessions guaranteed to touch a nostalgic nerve as guest speakers bring the past into full colour.

Along with a celebrity panel Q & A, Sons of Beaches 72’ guests including Hawaii’s legendary Larry Bertelmann for this special one-off Bleach* screening. Sons of Beaches 72’ will also screen at the Gold Coast Arts Centre.

Bleach Surf the Fringe festival Film Programming:

17 Feb In Natural Flow Komune Coolangatta. 7pm start. Entry by donation to Surf World Gold Coast Museum
17 Feb Retrospect – Hot Generation, Deep Tube Riding, All I’ve Found, Wipeout. Surf World Gold Coast. 6-8pm. Entry by donation to Surf World Gold Coast Museum
18 Feb Surf Surf Films – Lunchbreak (short), Come Hell of High Water (premiere) Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta. 7-9pm. Free
19 Feb Summer Surf Films – Blue Sway (short), Under The Sun (feature), Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta. 7-9pm. Free
24 Feb Sons of Beaches 72’, Komune, Coolangatta. 7.30pm start. Entry by donation to Surf World Gold Coast Museum
25 Feb Bustin’ Down the Door, Queen Elizabeth Park, Coolangatta. 6.30-8.30pm. Free

Film director Marina Sawisza from Venezuela, former world surfing champions Sofia Mulanovich and a couple of other girls started this project, called 3 Killas y un 1 Kiwi, to encourage female surfers in Latin America to continue their dream to become professional surfers.

In addition, they want to promote this project internationally to all female surfers around the world.

We all watched Surfers Latinas like Sofia Mulanovich and A. Goméz ripping at China a couple of weeks ago. Sofia won the ISA China Cup and she is also the only Latina in the surfing hall of fames. If you believe female surfing has talent and has the power to inspire a new generation, please support this Video, 36 hour remained.

3 Killas y Un Kiwi is the first video of its kind, an introduction of Latin American female surfing to the world.

For the past 40 days we have been working on a campaign to gather funds for the production of the first Latin American Female Surf Film. We have until this saturday the 21st of January to reach our goal. If we don’t reach $12,000 we will loose the $9,000 we have already gathered. Please visit the following link, if you can make a pledge we would be for ever grateful, also if you could share this with other people it would be awesome.

www.ripeandomag.com

From the creator of iSurfer, iBodyboard, iDing Repair and Beach Safety App comes the latest iPhone/iPad App which makes ordering and understanding surfboards so easy. The latest iPhone/iPod/iPad app, created by former WQS surfer Matt Jones, takes all of the guess work out of understanding surfboards and also ordering a custom board. iSurfboards App for iPhone/iPod/iPad provides detailed information for all parts of the modern surfboard. iSurfboards App provides the following information:

CUSTOM SURFBOARD ORDER FORM:

The feature that is not available in any other App in the world. A fully customized surfboard order form which allows anyone around the world to create their own custom surfboard within the app and email to a shaper to shape.

The first version of the custom board creator and with feedback from shapers and customers i will be making it to cater for every type of surfer and shaper. This feature will allow you to create your own custom surfboard and email it to a shaper.

It gives you all the options you would find on a standard surfboard order form. It makes ordering a new surfboard quick, simple and easy all from the palm of your hand.

Surfboards Information

- Different surfboard shapes and their characteristics and suited surf conditions.

- The roles that length, width and thickness play in surfboard design.

- Different types of tails and their strengths and weaknesses and what board shape they best suit.

- Different rail shapes and their strengths and weaknesses.

- Different bottom concaves and what conditions and boards they suit best.

- What affects the rocker, nose lift and tail lift can have on your surfboard.

- Information about the types of glass jobs commonly used.

Surfboard Size Guides

A variety of surfboard size charts for beginner to intermediate surfers. All charts take into account the surfer’s weight and height and provides a guide to the size surfboard which would be best suit them.

Beginner Charts:

- Surfboard length guide for Softboards
- Surfboard length guide for Longboards

Intermediate Charts:

- Length guides for Fish surfboards
- Length guides for groveller surfboards
- Length guides for shortboard surfboards
- Length guides for midsize surfboards
- Length guides for gun surfboards
- Length guides for Funboard surfboards
- Length guides for Mini Mal surfboards
- Length guides for Malibu surfboards

Fins Information

All the information you need to know about the characteristics of fins and what part of the fin does what.

You will learn what effects the base, depth, sweep, foil, flex and cant have on a performance of a fin.

This information can help you choose the right size and shape fins to suit your surfing.

Fin Systems

Information about the most commonly used fin systems used in surfboards.

Details about the advantages and disadvantages of each system and a rating system to show the characteristics for each system.

The information provided will give you a guide on what fin system you would like in your next surfboard.

This App will be constantly getting updated to cater for every aspect of surfboard design and with feedback from shapers the custom order form will be getting updates to to further improve the functionality of the surfboard order form.

Other Apps for surfers created by Matt Jones from mysurfworld.com include:

iSurfer – Surfing Coach App for iPad /iPhone and iPod Touch

iDing – Surfboard Repairs App for iPhone and iPod Touch

iBodyboard – Bodyboarding Coach App for iPad /iPhone and iPod Touch

Beach Safety App for iPhone and iPod Touch

RealSurfTrips.com announced the debut of their all-inclusive surf travel packages at their 4000 sq. ft. “Wave House” beach home in Playa Negra, Costa Rica starting March 1st 2012 and running through September.

These weekly packages, which range from $899- $1200 (USD) are perfect for small groups and individuals of all abilities.

Packages include: 5 bedroom/4 bath luxury lodging facilities with wi-fi, large screen tv’s, pool and hot tub, 2 catered meals per day, airport pick up and drop off, transportation to surf breaks and boat permits.

The Playa Negra Wave House is located in a warm and beautiful laid-back surf and beach community that boasts secluded beaches and consistent waves.

For pricing, options and more information, please visit, www.RealSurfTrips.com

The founders of RealSurfTrips.com have a lot of experience in the local surf community and a unique philosophy to surf travel.

“We are very community conscious and will not do large groups,” said founder Bob Witty.

“Groups up to 6 are optimal because it makes transportation easy if we travel to surf breaks. We also want to keep the crowds down.

“The surf spots are sacred and very secluded and we don’t name them.”

Witty continues, “We usually surf a 20-mile stretch of beach that is incredibly diverse, from beach breaks to points to outer reefs, and you’ll be guided by our crew every step of the way.”

One unique feature of RealSurfTrips.com is that guests will have the option to arrange professional photos and video of their surf adventure shot by professional surf photographer Tony (TR) Roberts and his staff. Images and video can be purchased individually or as a package where the guest can purchase all images and video from the day or week.

This is an excellent opportunity for surfers to document their trip or for promotional purposes for teams, individuals and apparel. TR is a world -renowned surf photographer who is Staff Photographer for Quiksilver Latin America, was principal photographer of the Quiksilver Crossing, a senior staff photographer at Surfing and Transworld Surf as well as contributor to TransWorld Skateboarding, Sports Illustrated, ESPN.com, National Geographic Explorer and others.

A large skate park and quiet resort with full amenities such as restaurant, bar, spa, golf and yoga classes is very close to the Wave House lodging, which guests can use.

www.realsurftrips.com

FLORIDA KEYS — With balmy temperatures even in the winter months, the Florida Keys & Key West offer visitors a warm welcome and a wealth of new and enhanced accommodations, land and water attractions, and culinary and creative experiences. Explore the highlights here.

Keys Accommodations

The property that was once Islamorada’s iconic Holiday Isle Beach Resort and Marina, located at mile marker (MM) 84 oceanside, has completed an $11.6 million renovation. Now known as the Postcard Inn Beach Resort & Marina at Holiday Isle, the landmark has been transformed into a lushly landscaped, modern tropical oceanfront resort.

The Postcard Inn at Holiday Isle’s evolution includes renovations to its guestrooms, meeting space, main lobby and swimming pool area. Extensive landscaping improvements have been made to highlight natural scenic views, while technology upgrades include comprehensive resort-wide Wi-Fi access and flat-screen televisions at the on-site bars as well as in all guestrooms.

The resort’s main restaurant facility, formerly the Sport Fish Grill, has been transformed into the first Shula Burger. Named for legendary Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula, the restaurant offers a full-service bar and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Holiday Isle’s famed Tiki Bar, with its hand-carved wood floor, is expected to remain — along with the resort’s claim to have invented the frozen rumrunner cocktail.

For more information, visit www.holidayisle.com.

***

Marathon’s luxurious Hawks Cay Resort, located on Duck Key at MM 61 oceanside, has begun a $1 million renovation to enhance the culinary options available to guests at the 60-acre island getaway.

Much of the renovation will be focused on the main kitchen to allow several menu enhancements. Terrace, the pool area breakfast eatery, will expand its menu to include lunch items.

The Beach Grill at Hawks Cay and the surrounding beach area are to transition into a designated adults-only area renamed Sand Bar. The Sand Bar menu is to feature more adult-oriented opulent light fare.

The resort’s gift shop, soon to be known as Island Time, will expand to include a coffee bar serving a full Starbucks menu.
Resort renovations are slated for completion by March 2012.

For more information visit www.hawkscay.com.

***

Albury Court Hotel, one of five properties in the Historic Key West Inns collection, has completed room renovations that marry historic architecture with modern amenities and décor.

All of the boutique hotel’s 38 rooms were transformed at a cost of approximately $100,000.

Located at 1030 Eaton St., Albury Court offers rooms in five adjacent historic buildings whose Key West–style architectural features include clapboard siding, open porches, metal roofs and picket fences. The buildings share a courtyard, lobby and heated pool with waterfall.

Continental breakfast is included with all guest stays.

For more information, visit www.historickeywestinns.com/the-inns/albury-court.

***

The poolside Lighthouse Court Café & Mojito Bar recently debuted at the Lighthouse Court Hotel, located at 902 Whitehead St. beside the historic Key West Lighthouse and across the street from the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum.

The café and bar provide an ideal venue for hotel guests and walk-in visitors seeking a few drinks or a quick lunch in the island’s historic district. Menu items at the café include fresh salads, wraps, homemade Key lime pie and personal-sized flatbread pizzas. The full bar provides specialty cocktails like Not Quite Hemingway’s Mojitos and Adalina’s Key Lime Margaritas.

The café features seating for 23 people, with space for about 200 people in the adjacent courtyard.

Lighthouse Court is one of five boutique hotels in the Historic Key West Inns collection. The property features 40 guestrooms in 10 “conch” buildings dating from 1890 to the 1920s. A large central pool, tropical landscaping and decked courtyards enhance the spacious environment.

Continental breakfast is included with all guest stays.

For more information, visit www.historickeywestinns.com/the-inns/lighthouse-court/lighthouse-court-cafe-bar.

Keys Experiences

Classic historic elegance meets modern luxury aboard Key West’s newest sailing cruise vessel, the Schooner America 2.0.

Modeled after the maritime icon Schooner America, the original 1851 winner of the prestigious sailing competition named for the vessel — the America’s Cup — the America 2.0 is a 105-foot tribute ship built with lightweight modern materials that enable it to navigate with speed, efficiency and minimal environmental impact.

The Schooner America 2.0 is to spend the winter months through April berthed at Key West and sailing with the Classic Harbour Line Fleet from Key West’s Historic Seaport.

The modern schooner sails twice daily. The 90-minute Key West Day Sail departs at 1:30 p.m. for a voyage around Key West highlighting the island’s maritime sights. The two-hour Champagne Sunset Sail in Key West waters emphasizes the island’s famed sunset as a backdrop to its natural beauty.

Day sails are priced at $49 per guest and sunset sails are priced at $75 per guest. Both excursions feature complimentary beer, wine, champagne, soda and water, and guests can bring aboard their own picnic.

For more information, call 305-293-7245 or visit www.sail-keywest.com.

***

Visitors to the Florida Keys can try their luck aboard the Tropical Breeze Casino, the island chain’s newest casino cruise ship.

The 10,000-square-foot casino area is a gamers’ dream, offering blackjack and craps tables with buy-ins as low as $5, poker and mini-baccarat tables as well as several slot machines.

The floating casino also features two full bars, a restaurant and a top viewing deck perfect for stargazing, dolphin watching or simply enjoying the ride.

The Tropical Breeze Casino cruises Keys waters Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and nightly from 6 to 11 p.m. departing from Key West Harbour Yacht Club, 6000 Peninsular Ave. on Stock Island. Tickets are $20 and reservations are required. Patrons must be at least 18 years old.

Key West’s Old Town Trolley will transport casino patrons from four of its centrally located stops to the Key West Harbour Yacht Club.

For more information, visit www.tropicalbreezecasino.com  or call 305-294-3990.

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Key West’s well-known Subtropic Dive Center recently changed ownership to become Seaduction Key West.

Now managed by a group of dive veterans, the shop at 1605 N. Roosevelt Blvd. is poised to restore Key West’s former reputation as a technical diving capital.

With a focus on technical dives —deeper than 130 feet using mixed gases — Seaduction Key West plans to offer daily dive trips to the Gen. Hoyt S. Vandenberg artificial reef and to lesser-known deep-dive sites like the USS Curb and USS Wilkes-Barre. The shop also will offer dive training and equipment rentals including Nitrox and Trimix gas tanks.

For further information, visit www.seaduction.com/keywest  or call 1-800-853-DIVE (1-800-853-3483).

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Active travelers now have a new way of seeing the Florida Keys. Key Largo Bike and Adventure Tours provides guided bicycle tours of the islands.

The Pigeon Key Biking and Kayaking Tour is a six-hour excursion that includes transportation, active gear, entrance fees and lunch. In addition to biking and kayaking, participants can choose between snorkeling on the beach or taking a 1.5-mile hiking trail.

The Century Rides to Key West are for experienced cyclists who are used to riding along the road. The tour starts at MM 100 and ends at the southernmost point in the continental United States. Participants can choose to explore Key West for the afternoon, or spend the night for an additional charge. These tours take place on the second Saturday of every month.

For a shorter trip focused on history and local culture, the company provides historical trips in Islamorada. The three-mile tours, which last approximately two hours and take place every weekend, proceed at an easy pace and include 10 stops around the island.

For details and tour availability, visit www.keylargobike.com  or call 305-395-1551.

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Visitors to Key Largo, known as the dive capital of the world, now can experience the majesty of the sea without getting their feet wet aboard a 128-passenger paddlewheel boat. Island Time Cruise Co. specializes in 2.5-hour island cruises for lunch, brunch or sunset dinner with food prepared by Steamers Restaurant.

The paddlewheel boat features an all-wood dining room and two bars, and offers spectacular views of Keys waters and wildlife. The company also plans to offer Sunday brunch, murder mystery dinners, wine tastings and live island music aboard the boat.

The Island Time Cruise Co. paddlewheel boat is available for private charters for weddings, seminars and other special events.

The ship departs from Steamers Restaurant, located next to Gilbert’s Resort at MM 107 on Blackwater Sound. Tickets are available at Keys Diver, MM 99.6 bayside.

For more information, visit www.islandtimecruises.com  or call 305-453-0001.

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Tavernier’s Florida Keys Dive Center is the newest dive operator to join Blue Star, a voluntary conservation recognition program started in 2010 by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Ten Keys dive operators are participants, recognized for their dedication to coral reef education and conservation.

Blue Star’s mission is to help reduce the impact of divers and snorkelers on the coral reef system that parallels the Florida Keys — the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States.

Dive operators who participate in the program are evaluated yearly, and must be involved in conservation-related activities such as reef cleanups or fish counts. They also must have trained staff committed to promoting responsible tourism and teaching divers and snorkelers in-water etiquette.

Florida Keys Dive Center, located at MM 90.5 oceanside, offers several dive charter and equipment rental packages including seasonal coral reef restoration dives.

For more information, visit www.floridakeysdivectr.com  or call 1-800-433-8946.

For Blue Star details, visit www.sanctuaries.noaa.gov/bluestar/operators.html

Keys Flavors

The Lower Keys has a new sweet spot with the opening of Fruitcakes! Tasty Vegan Bites, an almost entirely organic vegan bakery.

Fruitcakes! Tasty Vegan Bites serves up vegan made-to-order baked goods that are friendly to people with allergies. Bakery specialties include flour-free macaroons, double chocolate brownies, oatmeal raisin cookies, cakes, dairy-free cheesecakes, biscotti, baked donuts and more.

Ready-made baked goods are available in the Fruitcakes! Tasty Vegan Bites baking case at Good Food Conspiracy, located on Big Pine Key at MM 30.2. In addition, custom orders can be placed by phone and picked up at Deer Run Bed & Breakfast, also on Big Pine Key at 1997 Long Beach Road.

Treats from Fruitcakes! Tasty Vegan Bites are available for small-order catering for private parties and small-scale events, with the debut of large-volume catering for weddings and large parties planned for early spring 2012.

For information, call Jennifer DeMaria at 305-872-2015.

Keys Artistry

Visitors and residents traveling the Florida Keys Overseas Highway have a new outdoor art mural to view at MM 95 bayside in Key Largo. The mural was created for the centennial anniversary of the completion of Henry Flagler’s Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad.

The hand-painted mural, measuring 60 feet long and 11.5 feet high, depicts a train similar to a Florida Keys Over-Sea Railroad passenger train steaming across an arched bridge much like the Long Key Viaduct. Above the bridge is a full moon adorned with the face of the railroad’s creator, Henry Flagler.

The mural was a collaborative effort between the Art Guild of the Purple Isles, lead artist Cris Sandifer and high school art club students at Islamorada’s Island Christian School. It covers the southwest exterior wall of the Atlantic Title building.

Creation of the mural is one of a number of Keys events commemorating the 1912 arrival of Flagler’s first train from the U.S. mainland through the Florida Keys to Key West.

For information on the railroad and its centennial, visit www.FlaglerKeys100.com.  For information on the Art Guild of the Purple Isles, visit www.purpleislesartguild.com.

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Since opening a year ago, Islamorada’s Gallery 84 has evolved into an eclectic one-stop shop for art lovers, a co-op art gallery combined with island-style inspirations and design. Located at MM 84.7, it features displays from five local artists, an interactive artisan workshop and a menu of new creative offerings for first-time and repeat patrons.

Shop guests can discover custom-filled gift baskets such as the Welcome to the Keys, I Do and Beach Basket that feature artistic items and gourmet foods, and displays of hand-painted shoulder bags, pillows and other cause-based sustainable tourism gift items.

Artist-owners Liz Queeny and Meeja Ritchie-Smith also have developed the Design Center @ 84, offering hand-created wedding, shower and event invitations and cards for special occasions. In addition, Queeny and Smith can create gallery-wrap canvases from digital images captured by Keys vacationers, with a turnaround time of as little as 24 hours.

For more information, call 305-735-4596, email G84@gmail.com  or visit www.facebook.com/whid1211.

Keys Historic Sites

The historic and architecturally unique Casa Antigua was the first place Ernest Hemingway resided in Key West, where he worked on “A Farewell to Arms” in 1928. Recently, the building’s ground level and open-air garden atrium has become available to the public for wedding and private event rentals.

Located at 314 Simonton St., Casa Antigua was once the Trev-Mor Ford dealership. Hemingway meant Key West to be a stopping-off point when he arrived in 1928 by sea from Paris, but the Ford car that should have been waiting at the docks was delayed — so the car dealer persuaded Hemingway and his wife Pauline to stay at the Trev-Mor Hotel above the dealership.

Their extended stay sparked Hemingway’s fascination with Key West and led to his decade-long sojourn on the island.

Today, the property is fully restored to feature the Pelican Poop Shoppe, offering Caribbean gifts, and a luxuriant atrium garden. Its attractions include 80 orchids, star fruit, palm trees and other foliage, a pool and fountain — all surrounded by the brickwork of the building whose private rooms, hugging the exterior walls but leaving the center open to the sky, make up the most unusual home in Key West.

Casa Antigua can be booked 365 days a year for afternoon and early evening events serving up to 200 guests.

For more information, call Lee at 305-849-3473 or email lee@conchcolor.com.

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Florida Keys visitor information: www.fla-keys.com  or 1-800-FLA-KEYS (1-800-352-5397)
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