Interview With Jaime Vendera, The Glass Shatter!

Hey Everyone!
Just a quick announcement. Jaime Vendera has agreed to do an interview! The interview will consist of three segments and will begin Friday night at 9:00 pm.

The Surf Nightmares sight will also still continue to go through adjustments as things progress. For now, I've made some updates but left most of the surf links at the bottom for awhile longer. After a couple of months, I will be removing them from the blog.

See everyone on Friday night at 9:00 pm EST!!

Cook

HERE"S THE BIG NEWS!!!!

Hey Everyone!!
Well here's the big announcement that I can finally talk about! I didn't want to say anything until it was official and not jinx it! Well, as I mentioned in my last post that I was ALSO a musician, so here goes...

I've joined up with Rock Source 360 as an instructor!!

Rock Source 360 is an on-line teaching platform and it's the only one of it's kind. I'm beyond excited and proud to have been inducted!! Rock Source 360 is lead by seasoned industry professionals that know the business and are actually IN THE BUSINESS. I'm working with the likes of Jaime Vendera, the "Glass Shatterer," and Ben Carroll of "Ra," just to name a couple! So when I say they're are seasoned pro's, you can believe it ;-)~

If you're into music, you need visit this sight! Because of the on line platform that Rock Source 360 created, I can reach and teach anyone in the WORLD! I even have my lesson schedule availability set up through 12/8/2010. For now, you can reach us at http://www.rocksource360.com and I'll get the links section updated as soon as possible as well.

...Oh yeah!! I forgot to say that access to the RS360 sight is free! You just sign up and that's it!! There's no membership fees or anything like that. They also have their own Rock Source Radio which I will becoming a part of as well soon!

I'm also re-integrating Surf Nightmares into my new endeavor. I'm still attached to it, so I don't plan to let it go to the wayside! My new direction is to work on my original instrumental guitar project under "Surf Nightmares." I've gotten busier than I have ever been with music, so I'll try to do a better job of keeping up with my posts and letting everyone know what's going on.

I still can't thank all of you out there that have always taken a few minutes to stop by and take a look at Surf Nightmares. Every time I've gotten that e-mail of "100 hits," it just made me feel like I'm riding a wave instead of getting smashed into a reef :-)~ So thanks again to everyone for the support of the last two years!

Also, Jaime Vendera is coming to Australia to do some vocal work shops. I'll get the details from him and post them in a few days...maybe we can even talk him into an interview? We'll see!

Cook

Tide is Moving Out...

Hey Everyone!
Man, it's been a stupid crazy year and I have an anouncement for Surfnightmares!

Obviously, since I live in Ohio, the surf thing just ain't working out HA HA HA!!!!

I know it's a , "DUH!" moment but I gave it a shot and all you can do is try something. Where would we be if we didn't right?

So, with that said, I'm re-designing Surf Nightmares for a NEW venture in the Rock 'n Roll World. Details will be coming soon and a revamping of the sight will follow. So if you didn't guess, I'm also a musician!

EVERYONE, this is a pretty big thing for me and I didn't see it coming, just like those waves at Mugundus Bay. This time, I'm riding a different wave! I hope for continued support from all of the hits I received over the past few years, I really do, sincerely I do.

I appreciate the views, Corky Carroll, and Cris Rice his associate for putting up with me and some of my tenacious ideas ;-)~


Everyone have a good night, surf safe, and still feel free to shout out!...That means you too Pinky!!

Cook

THS SONG ROCKS!!!!!

All guys have either been through this, going through this, or will go through it!!


SUCKS TO BE US!!!


YEE F@#K ing HAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW






Cook

DRIFT IS BACK IN FULL SWING!!!

Hey Everyone,
Drift Magazine is coming back, well probably as of today! I'm a little slow lateley...Anyhow, they asked if I would pass it along and in there words....


" We’re writing to you to let you know about the forthcoming launch of the new Driftwebsite, scheduled for June 2009. We’re contacting you specifically because we’ve previously been in touch, either when the Drift website was first launched back in 2005, or more recently when we published a printed magazine. This is your opportunity to see your work published either on our European or North American sites. We’d love to hear from you if you would like to contribute, so here’s an outline of the topics we plan to cover:
Interviews – In discussion with influential characters in the wider world of surfing. Met someone interesting lately?

Tell us about them.
Music – If it’s new, underground, alternative or just plain old good, we want to hear about it.
Film – Reviews, events, screenings, tours… Filmmakers, this is your opportunity to expose your work to the masses.
Travel – Where have you been?
Where do you want to go? Where are there waves worth writing about?
Environment – The issues affecting surfers the world over.
Fashion – We’re not about telling you how to dress, but we’d love to hear about people doing something new in clothing, technical gear and surf apparel.
We want Drift to continue to reflect the things that really interest our readers. It’s an evolving entity, a living, breathing being that’s fed by you and our readers. Our aim is continue spreading the word – that there’s more to surfing than rankings, scores and competitions – across the globe with as little environmental impact as possible.

We’relooking for:
Short, snappy, regular blog content (with pictures)
Feature-length articles
Photo/video/art
Portfolios
If you would like to contribute to our European network simply reply to this email, outlining how you would like to be involved. We’re really excited about what we’ve got going on, and we want you all to be part of it too, so get in touch. If you feel your suggestions would be more suited to Drift’s North American readers please contact our US editor Joe Conway (joe@driftsurfing.com)."

Corky Has Some Dates Available

Hey Everyone,

Corky had a couple of weeks in May that were cancelled and became available at his home in Mexico. They are from May 2 to May 9th and May 9th to May 16th. If you want them, just e-mail him at corkysurf@aol.com or go to his websight in my links and click!! Trust me, they will FILL FAST so get it if you want it!!

Also, I'm going to try and get off my ar$$ this summer and make it over to the east coast. We'll see what happens!!

Take care and drop a line....I'm land locked!



Cook

Hey everyone

Well its Christmas and I think I made a mistake. I've been listening to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by IZ. There is a tribute video to him on you tube and it reminded me of island life, plus many things I've forgotten since being back on mainland. I've forgotten about watching sunsets, listening to tides, skin diving and the sheer closeness of everyone. I simply forgot.

I want to take a moment and at least offer an apology for any disrespect. For my friend in Guam, sorry about "outing" Mugundas, but beauty should be shared and Merry Christmas to you :-)



...and a very special Merry Christmas to everyone that has visted :-)


Sean

I'M NOT DEAD YET!!!!

HEY EVERYONE!
I need a favor from everyone. Please go to : "http://surfnightmares.blip.tv" and leave some HONEST comments. I have three videos that I would like to hear some feedback on. Long story short, the more people that watch these videos and leave comments, the more it will get watched. The more it gets watched, the better shot I have of doing something video/film related!

I'm just asking for a favor if you guys can swing a few moments of your time :-)


Take Care and God Bless everyone for all the support over the past year!

YOU GUYS ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



COOK

Hello, Hello, hello....

Hey Everyone!
I want to say thanks to everyone that's stopped by the sight! Alex is doing better and is back in school.

Over the next few months I'm going to be drifting "Surfnightmares" away from surfing for awhile. I've decided to start dedicating some time to a solo music project I've always wanted to do. Complete instrumental guitar stuff, so stop by once in awhile. As I get stuff done I'll be putting it on the sight.

Take Care and have a safe Labor Day Weekend!

Cook

SUP

Hey to Everyone.

This past week has been not so good. Sadly, this is not a good surf story. My wife's step-son was hit by a car a week ago. He'll be ok, but the stress was horrible. A broken jaw, arm, internal damage, and last Monday we thought he was crippled. What she went through is something I can't possibly imagine as we don't have children together, being a little later in years. It was nothing more than a terrible accident and this kid has just been through so much and was really taking life seriously as an adult. College, health, and getting back in touch with reality. Then this.

His name is Alex. My wife began raising him at eight years old and she's the only mother he knows.

I'm just going to chill and not get into the details, just thought I'd share.

Everyone take care and like I always say, stay safe.

Cook

EAST COAST SURFING UPDATE!!!

Hey Everyone!!
I've been neglecting my bloggerly duties as of late. Mark at eastcoastsurfing.com has a new web-sight and I promised I'd let everyone know. Just go to:

http://extremesportsnetwork.tv

...and check it out!! In Mark's words:

"I just started a new site for Surfing, Skating, Wakeboarding, Snowboarding, Skimboarding, Sailboarding, ok... basically anything Extreme. Its free to join and upload your videos. I have also emailed some big sponsors letting them know about this site to check out new talent. The website is http://extremesportsnetwork.tv and is a lot like youtube but its for us extreme crowd."

So take a few moments and check it out!!!

Also, if anyone is in Belmar, NJ, I'm planning on trying to do a weekend surf trip and get back on a board again. If anyone is local and doesn't mind putting up with me for a day of surfing, get in touch with me!

I also took a new approach to the "mini-boards." I'll put a new video (better quality too) pretty soon. I'm getting ready to stain and glass one pretty soon.

I'll write more soon and everyone take care and enjoy the summer!!

Cook

Update and WELCOME BACK SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey everyone!!

The quarter is almost over so I'm going to try and start getting some more posts onto the sight. But first I thought it might be good to re-post my original surfing story. Actually, my one and only. With summer coming up I'm hoping some you guys send some submissions for the sight.

Also, the contest for Drift Magazine is still going on, so send stories ASAP!!!!!

Write more later and take to all!

"Here's My Gig"

"I tried to learn how to surf while I was stationed in Guam back in '90. I have been fascinated with it since I was a kid and living in Portsmouth, Ohio. Well the only thing to surf there was the wake from a passing barge. A good friend named Debbie gave me a used board she got from someone to learn on. The fun thing for me was that the nose was broke off so I learned how to repair it with some fiber glass. I was so excited that I was working on my board and getting ready to learn how to surf.

I had some good guys to learn with, one guys name was "Turtle." I Sware to God he looked like one but a little more excitable. We first went to a local spot down by "Hotel Row" and that's where they schooled me on respect for territory (I guess you could call it). Being a "howlie" on the island it wouldn't be smart to step on toes. One of the guys I was with went out (cant remember his name) and he surfed for about twenty minutes. The weather and surf was getting bad, we had a typhoon coming in a few days, so the surf was rough but good for the Island. It was too crowded so he came in and we went to a "secret" spot Turtle new about called Mugundas Bay on the south side of the Island. We got there, I saw the waves, and I was like in my mind, "...now that's what I'm talking about!" It looked like something out of a movie! Huge swells coming in sets of four. An absoloute wet dream for an experienced surfer.

Now here's the thing about this spot: You had to climb down about a 100 foot coral reef cliff to get to the water then swim out to the break. Everyone went out except for me and Turtle. His hesitation should have been my biggest warning sign. I think in the back of my head it was. But I started to inch forward and I remember he said, "Are you going out?" I knodded my head and he said, "All right, lets go" with a grin on his face knowing what I was getting myself into. We climbed down the reef and he went in like a fish. On his board and was half way ahead of me before I got my board in the water. I was petrified and even turned around to see if I could climb back up the reef. I couldn't because the re-entry point was about 100 yards left. I had no choice.

I put the board in and tried to paddle for the first time and got nowhere fast. I was getting thrown back towards the reef. I got about 15 or 20 feet from it and tried to swim out a little with board like a lifeguard. It got me about back to where the current caught me the first time and I don't know it happened, but I tried paddling and started to cruise out to the break. By the time I got there I just chilled on the board because I was exhausted. I sat and watched what everyone was doing studying as hard as I could, because let's face it I was pretty screwed at that point. I either had to learn how to do it so I could get back in or my ass was SCREWED!

Well, everyone tried to catch waves and no one was really successful a lot of attempts, but the Hawaiian caught a few, I think his name was Jimmey. Anyway, Turtle made an attempt and went in on his last one. Then Jimmy and the other guy went in too and I was left alone. I stayed because I though they were tired. Then they start waving me in and I tried to catch a couple of wave and they just went right underneath me. So, I paddle back for one more attempt. I caught the first wave on the first swell and I just FREAKED OUT! I remember trying to stand up for a minute or so and felt the power of that swell and man I was ELATED!! I did it! I got up!...then the second wave knocked me right off like a rag doll!

Here's my Surfnightmare: I started paddling in once I found my board and got back to what now became a "PFD". High tide was coming in early because of the storm. I kept trying to paddle left to get to the re-entry point but I was so far right I was doomed. The waves were crashing on that reef like glass bottles and I was just getting closer. I dont know how I kept my head. Somehow I used enough common sense to try and ride the waves up the reef and rock climb at the same time. I was getting smacked like I was a toy. Honest to God I thought I was dead. The swells were coming in sets of four and here is what I did to survive, at least that's the only thing I can call it: As the waves came in, I climbed with my board. I was getting cut to shreds from the reef. About a quarter of the way up I chucked the board and went into survival mode I guess. The waves hit me from behind and I remember screaming from the pain of the reef and that I was gargling the ocean. That was when I knew I was done, TOAST!

Somehow it happened. One more swell came in, another set of four, I kicked off the reef, and rode all four high enough that when they went out I would just power climbed to the top.

I made it to the top and walked forward at a fast pace to get away. I fell to the ground then saw the road. I was covered in blood from my chest down. I started walking down that road back towards the car and I saw my board floating out to sea. After that, everyone called me the "Phillipino Board Boy" since that's most likely where my board washed up, and I would have too if I had not climbed that reef and chucked the board into the sea.

I never tried to surf again after that. It became my white whale. Now, I might see what that whale is doing soon, but in a whole lot calmer surf ;-)

Have a surf nightmare? Post it!!!"

Cook

Hey Everyone!!

Just wanted to take a minute and let everyone know I haven't dropped off the face of the Earth. I've been busy with college, homework, life, work, wife, dog, house...you know the routine.

So keep stopping by and feel free to post a story in any of the comments sections. The gig is still on for Drift Magazine, so send submissions!

Later,

Cook

How about some submissions?????

Hey everyone,
Just wanted to see if anyone is working on submisions?????


Cook

SUBMISSION OF THE MONTH TO DRIFT MAGAZINE

Hey Everyone and here's how the submission of the month works:

The details are pretty simple.

1.) Send your submissions to me at pcook3318@yahoo.com or post it on www.surfnightmares.blogspot.com in the "Comments" link to this post. Mailed submissions are not accepted at this point.

2.) All submissions will be reviewed for content then sent to "Drift Magazine" for final selection process.

3.) "Drift" will choose the winner and publish your article in the printed version of the magazine.

4.) Winners will be announced on www.surfnightmares.blogspot.com and receive a printed copy of "Drift Magazine" with their published story.

5.) All surfers, surf enthusiasts, and want to be surfers are encouraged to submit.

6.) There are no restrictions to this contest and anyone of any age can send in submissions. Just try to stick with surfing related content.

7.) Submit as often as you would like.

****BONUS****

Come up with a good enough story with good photos, it could become a feature article! "Drift" is looking for some really cutting edge and radical stuff! Surfing doesn’t have to be the main topic, but it has to involve surfing.


So get typing! The dead line for the Issue 006 at the end of June is 5/15/2008

As always, surf hard, enjoy and stay safe!

Cook

COMING SOON!!!!!! SUBMISSION OF THE MONTH

SUBMISSION OF THE MONTH TO DRIFT MAGAZINE!! Details to be announced shortly, so get your surf stories ready for possible publication!


Cook

DRIFT MAGAZINE GOES TO PRINT!!

Surf Nightmares is humbled and EXTREMELY PROUD to have been personally contacted by Howard Swanwick, Editor "Drift Magazine" in an extremely important and exciting announcement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Surf Nightmares is STOKED to announce that http://www.driftmagazine.co.uk/blogdirectory.htm has gone live with their FIRST PRINT of "DRIFT MAGAZINE"! Not only is the web-sight informative, easy to use, appealing to the eye, and just fun to hit, but now we can get a TANGIBLE copy right in our hands! Take a copy to the office, put it in your car, or leave it in the waiting room just to remind us what we love SURFING! So goto the web-sight, goto a news stand, or just go somewhere and get your copy of "Drift Magazine!" The UK surfs too ya' know!

Everyone take care of yourselves, surf hard, stay safe, and remember to send submissions and post on "Surf Nightmares." We're GROWING AND WANT TO HERE FROM YOU!!!!!


Later everyone :-)~~~

Cook

Hey Everyone

Just wanted to take a moment for a quick update. The Corky Carroll should resume in the near future. I'm working on some more "mini-surfboards" for a special project that will be announced when the time is right ;-)

I still encourage anyone to submit a surf story! A lot of people check out the sight, but only a few have sent a story. There really isn't a criteria. Anything surf related is gonna get posted, so shout out!

Have a good weekend!

Cook

Another post from Down Under

Here's a story from surfer/wife of a surfer from Down Under!

"Hi Cook,
Reading how you want to tell stories of surfing, well, I hear nothing but stories of surfing!
My husband has been surfing for 40 odd years, my brother also. When they get talking about the 'good old days' and start discussing the last surf session you can't stop them, they just love talking about it.
After near drowning a few times in the surf when I was younger (teen), I screwed up my courage to try in a little break of about 3'. Hubby kept trying to push me onto the waves and every time he managed to nose dive me and I ended up under the board. I've given up surfing, but I paddle out with flippers and take water photos and a lot of land photos. I'm not very computer literate so I'm not sure how to send you any shots without an email address, but wanna surf has a lot of our photos from Flynns at Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia.
Cheers,
R.

A moment to say thanks

I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to everyone that has been visiting my blog. It's nice to see some folks taking an interest. I want to encourage everyone to post comments and share a story or say hello. That was my original intention with this sight, to let others connect with each other and tell their surf stories, good or bad.
If anyone wants to read my story, just goto the older posts under "Here's My Gig."

So thank you to everyone for stopping by and feel free to share your comments. Whether you're a beginner, moderate, or a pro, feel free! My sight is your sight. Send stories to pcook3318@yahoo.com, or just post on a comments link.

Take Care and Thanks Again to everyone!

Sean Cook