Making a List for All the Good Dudes and Dudettes Out There

OK, surf shoppers, there are only 16 days before Santa Claus rides his longboard into town and starts handing out free wax to those surfers who never snaked anybody this year.

Question: Do you qualify?

Heh, heh. Don’t lie, surf dudes and dudettes. Or Santa will pull a big arc above your home, throw some spray on the roof and move on to the next house.

Fig, what would you like to see under your Christmas tree?

A new board would be nice. That might be pushing it for Christmas because a surfboard is really personal and a little difficult, what with measurements and shapers and glassers who wanna surf all the time.

In that case, let’s give surfin’ Santa some additional ideas.

A good pair of lambskin Ugg boots from Australia are hot. They’re about $70 to $100.

Among the more popular gift items are sweat shirts. $30 to $50.

Shades, too. It seems like everybody who goes down to the beach has a favorite pair of shades. They need Arnet Black Dogs or full-on Ravens, which wrap around the face. We call ‘em eye blinders. Or Black Flys, the Soul Fly or Fly and the Family Stone. They’re $40 to $75.

Board grip is another fine idea. Fig says a little decking never hurt anyone. Cost $35 to $70.

And surf videos. $20 to $40.

I think some of the classic ones are coming back, such as “Storm Rider” and “Gone Surfin’.” One of the hot new videos is by filmmaker Chris Bystrom, “Longboards, the Rebirth of Cool.”

The videos can be found in well-stocked surf shops, where they can also be rented.

A weather radio for the hard-core. Sold at Radio Shack. Battery operated and crystal-controlled.

You simply tap the bar, and you see what the buoys are doing. They’re about $22.

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V.I.P.: On Saturday, Mike Doyle, who now lives in Baja, will be autographing his new book, “Morning Glass, The Adventures of Legendary Waterman Mike Doyle.” With a title like that, there’s no need for a press agent. California Surf Museum, 308 N. Pacific St., Oceanside, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Contests: Australia’s Pauline Menczer took the women’s World Cup of Surfing contest at Sunset Beach. Pam Burridge of Australia was second, followed by yet another Aussie, Neridah Falconer. The Pipeline Masters is next.

Forecast: Sean Collins of Surfline/Wavetrak says a very intense storm is expected to send 5- to 8-foot waves by Saturday and through the weekend. Rain and high winds, though, could mess conditions, Collins said.

* Times Link: 808-8463. or a daily surf and beach report, updated by 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., call TimesLink and press * 5000