Location: Chi (132,107,52)

Surf's up in Second Life!

One of the cool things about Second Life is that it isn't just a game... it's potentially *every* game, since it is an entire alternate Universe. And, what would any universe be without surfing! Flip on your favorite surf punk band music because surf's up in SL, dude!

Heather Goodliffe, and advanced scripter in SL, has not only created surf boards that really let you surf, she has also created a waves system (including pipes for full-on surf-movies style surfing) that will let you surf. It's got some nice elements in common with real surfing.

There is a rental board you can try to see how it all works. The board has varied animations: you paddle out, sit, duck backwards, dip in the waves, and - when you catch a wave by paddling along with it as fast as you can - you pop up into surf-stance. Great pix, great fun.

If you really get into it, there is a surfer team you can join. And, there are many other places you can surf as well; heather's wave system is operating at least nine other sims (and more all the time). If you decide to buy one of her surf boards, there is also a mode that will let you stand-up surf anywhere there is water (so you don't need her wave system).

Oh - and don't forget to visit the experimental lab on the island for some cool visual effects and to discover a few other interesting things. It's a good short exploration. Of course, you'll have to find the experimental lab first.

One of the surfer girls teleported in as I was taking these pics. As she saw this 19th century man in his swimsuit and cigar surveying Chi Island, she said, "Well, you don't see that every day." And then she ran down to the beach.