Surfer Girl: A Guide to the Surfing Life, by Sanoe Lake and Steven Jarrett

Finally, an endlessly entertaining book about surfing that's almost as fun as the sport itself. Not only does Blue Crush co-star Sanoe Lake have two new films coming out, but her first book, Surfer Girl: A Guide to the Surfing Life, hits the shelves on May 28, 2005. Whether you're interested in learning how to surf, or just interested in exploring the surf culture and lifestyle, Surfer Girl is the book for you. It's an explosion of color and personality, 144 pages crammed with photos, illustrations, and all the sass and wit that made Sanoe a favorite in Blue Crush. Surfer Girl explores surfing and beach life from all angles, including the history, the HERSTORY, the fashion, the lingo, the gear, the "wetiquette", and of course, the last third of the book is an easy-to-follow step-by-step "How To Surf" primer that will have even the chickens planning their next vacation at a beach with a nice break.

With section headers like "How Not to Flop Out of Your Top," you know this book is bent on maximum fun, just they way it should be. Inside Surfer Girl you'll also find pages torn from Sanoe's journal, embarrassing childhood snapshots, and let's not forget 90+ photos from some of the top surf and fashion photographers on the planet - taken in some of the world's most beautiful and exotic locations. Surfer Girl also sports ancient etchings from the historical museum in Hawaii, and cartoons and illustrations that will knock your eyes out. Sharks, sharks, sharks, that's all anyone wants to talk about... well, Surfer Girl has a Shark Section that will tell you the 7 best things to do to avoid meeting a shark in the ocean. There's also a basic course on other sea hazards (including boys), and a section to improve your ocean knowledge, like how waves are formed and measured. The "Wetiquette" Section will teach you all you need to know about surf etiquette - which is crucial for beginners. You'll learn how not to "drop in" and 20 other ways to avoid being a kook. Surfer Girl also explores the character-building nature of surfing. Yeah, you're going to be a more courageous person after you surf than you were before. There's also a good chance you'll also have more focus, discipline, and respect, and if you don't already know it, you'll learn more about perseverance. All of that while you're having a ball in the water, experiencing the wonders of nature, and getting a workout that will tone you like nothing else.

Of course Surfer Girl provides tons of safety tips, so your experience with this physical sport will be as safe and discomfort-free as possible. For instance, could you please cover your face and head when you emerge from the water after falling off your board? Your board may be lurking above you. At the end of Surfer Girl, there's a glossary of over 150 surf-related words, so you'll never feel lost in a conversation. Interested in the hottest surf web links or a listing of ocean environmental protection organizations? Check out Surfer Girl's reference section, we've got your list right there.

Surfing is a great sport for girls and women, and whether you're interested in learning to surf or just learning about the culture and lifestyle of one of the world's most exciting sports, Surfer Girl is the place to get your feet wet.