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Issue date: 5/1/09 Section: Sports

Skurfing is a new water sport making waves with people.

When you think summer, you think hot. When you think about it being hot, you want to jump into the nearest lake. Swimming, diving, surfings, canoeing…these are all great ways to get wet, but there are more interesting ways to do so. One great way to enjoy the water is skurfing.

Skurfing is a great surface water sport that has two common uses: "surf-water-skiing" and "surf-skateboarding." Skurfing was originated in New Zealand by a surfboard shaper named Allan Byrne and some of his friends, although some think it was created by Tony Finn.

Basically, Skurfing is being towed by a fast motorboat while positioned on a surfboard. Usually the surfboard is cut-off for a shorter length and a short rope is used to pull the skurfer. Thought to be the starter for wakeboarding, skurfing has no competitions and really no rules. Skurfers ride the waves behind the motorboat while performing aerobic stunts.

Each skurfer creates their own personal style. A new skurfing technique requires the fin on the bottom of the board to be removed. This allows for the skurfer to be able to make a 360 degree spin, but limits cutbacks and carving, which are the traditional methods used for surfing.

There are videos you can check out on youtube featuring people skurfing. Although skurfing is extremely popular in Australia and lots of other places around the world, it has yet to really attract American enthusiasts.

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