Skate-Wear Central

Surf Blue

Traffic Exchange Review – Blue Surf

Blue Surf has a sound reputation within the Traffic Exchange community for delivering a good product.  It recently celebrated its 20,000th registration.  In this article, I present my perspective as a Traffic Exchange user.

Blue Surf is a manual Traffic Exchange.  This means that users have to interact with the Blue Surf site in order to surf the next site.  The location and content of the interaction changes to stop automated surfing. 

The surfbar itself (where you surf different sites) is uncluttered, fast-loading and has 10 second minimum display time before the next site can be surfed.  Free surfers earn 0.33 credits per surf.  This can be enhanced by participating in the Elite Surf club (in association with two other Traffic Exchanges TrafficWitch and Royal Surf).  Paying surfers can earn up to 1 credit per surf, depending on the plan. 

Surfers get the opportunity to win credits, banner impressions or text links every 20 sites surfed and surfers can earn an additional 15 credits per day if they surf more than the previous day’s surfing average (this number is published in the member’s area).  The surfbar does not have some of the additional activities and games that other sites have to try and keep up surfer interest.

Surf credits can be auto-assigned to your websites but this is not compulsory, thus allowing the user to manage credits (many traffic exchanges have a minimum level of credits auto-assigned). 

Free users can have up to 5 URLs, 5 banners and 5 text links in operation at any given time.  Paying users can have up to 100 URLs depending on the plan.  However, as Blue Surf allows the use of rotators (the site even has its own rotator), the number of URLs able to be used is not necessarily a major constraint. 

The member’s area contains lots of interesting information.  The Toplist feature presents information on the top surfers by day, month and all time as well as the top referrers.  Scrolling down in the member’s area presents your own surfing history as well as details on the last 100 sites surfed. 

Blue Surf offers generous rewards for referring customers which vary depending on the status of the member and the class of the referral.  Surfers can earn up to 40% commission if they are a Gold member and the referral signs up as a Gold member. 

The site has a downline builder and very good affiliate promotion tools. 

At the time of publication of this article, Blue Surf membership charges appear competitive.  Bronze membership costs $4.95 per month and includes 250 credits, 1,500 banner impressions and 1,500 text links.  Gold membership costs $10 per month and includes 500 credits, 3,000 banner impressions and 3,000 text links.  Additional credits can be purchased starting at $10 for 1,000 credits. 

Blue Surf is relatively well regarded by its members (its current Affiliate Funnel ranking is 11) with it regularly in the top ten list on the basis of membership votes alone. 

There is limited objective information on the effectiveness of advertising on Blue Surf (or any Traffic Exchange for that matter) but what evidence there is suggests that Blue Surf does generate comparatively good levels of click throughs.

In summary, Blue Surf is a no-nonsense Traffic Exchange offering good value for money.  Free surfers can get value but the upgrade options present some real opportunities.  At 20,000 members (noting that not all are active), Blue Surf remains a smaller Traffic Exchange but one that is always striving to better itself.  I would recommend this Traffic Exchange to surfers and advertisers alike. 

About the Author

Geoff Whitehouse TDL – Total Digial Life

Visit Geoff’s Website at http://www.totaldigitallife.com

Surf Blue Horizon

Oakley Surf Backpack – Marine Blue $100 You’re on a mission to find those perfect giant waves and you won’t be satisfied until you’ve conquered the biggest and baddest of them all. On this world tour it’s just you, your buddies and your surfing gear and the only bag that is big enough and can carry all of your essentials is this Surf Pack by Oakley. It literally hauls everything you ever need for a day out on the surf. It features a wetsuit changing mat that can double as a sack and even includes water resistant storage compartments and drain ports for all that wet gear. For a technology guru, a padded panel with side access can fit a 17” laptop, and a media pocket with a headphone port is the perfect place for your smart phone or mp3 player. There’s even a sealed wax bag with a wax comb and key clip and a convenient padded optics pocket for those stylin’ Oakley shades you have. With nine unique pockets of many sizes, a molded back panel, heavy-duty rubber bottom and padded shoulder straps with adjustable waist straps, this backpack will be your lifesaver on those days where you just wanna hit the waves until the sun goes down.

Billabong Padang Surf Backpack -Black-Blue $74.5 An ideal day for you is spent from sunrise to sunset at the beach riding some gnarly waves with the rest of the dudes. Bring everything you need for a successful day surfing with this Padang Surf backpack by Billabong. With two large zippered compartments, this large backpack will easily fit all the gear you need. The main compartment features a place for a large laptop just in case you want to surf the web on your break from ridin’ the surf. A removable waterproof bag for storing your wetsuit and other wet gear is included, protecting the rest of your water-sensitive gear. Two side zipper compartments and a small front zipper compartment will secure the rest of your necessities as you journey around the world to conquer the biggest and baddest waves in history.

O’Neill Skins Juniors Surf Top – Blue $26.95 You don’t have to show some skin to feel sexy and powerful on the waves. The Skins surf top from O’Neill features 50-plus UV protection, stretchy fabric, screen printed branding overlaid with tonal checks on the chest and a boardshort loop connector inside the bottom hem, so you can look fly while protecting your bod.

Surf Fanatics Wave Logo T-Shirt – White $17.95 The ocean represents a lot of things to you, freedom, adventure, a shot at glory, but most importantly, it’s a place where you can just be yourself on your board. Give a nod of respect to the deep blue sea and the people who try to conquer it with this Wave Logo tee featuring the Surf Fanatics’ name and logo. Combined with your sun-bleached hair and tanned skin, this tee will make it obvious to everyone that salt water practically runs through your veins.

Surf Fanatics Wave Logo T-Shirt – Ash $17.95 The ocean represents a lot of things to you, freedom, adventure, a shot at glory, but most importantly, it’s a place where you can just be yourself on your board. Give a nod of respect to the deep blue sea and the people who try to conquer it with this Wave Logo tee featuring the Surf Fanatics’ name and logo. Combined with your sun-bleached hair and tanned skin, this tee will make it obvious to everyone that salt water practically runs through your veins.

Surf Fanatics Wave Logo Tri-Blend T-Shirt – Ash $23.95 The ocean represents a lot of things to you, freedom, adventure, a shot at glory, but most importantly, it’s a place where you can just be yourself on your board. Give a nod of respect to the deep blue sea and the people who try to conquer it with this Wave Logo tee featuring the Surf Fanatics’ name and logo. Combined with your sun-bleached hair and tanned skin, this tee will make it obvious to everyone that salt water practically runs through your veins.

Surf Fanatics Wave Logo Long Sleeve T-Shirt – Ash $23.95 The ocean represents a lot of things to you, freedom, adventure, a shot at glory, but most importantly, it’s a place where you can just be yourself on your board. Give a nod of respect to the deep blue sea and the people who try to conquer it with this Wave Logo tee featuring the Surf Fanatics’ name and logo. Combined with your sun-bleached hair and tanned skin, this tee will make it obvious to everyone that salt water practically runs through your veins.

Surf Fanatics Wave Logo Long Sleeve T-Shirt – White $23.95 The ocean represents a lot of things to you, freedom, adventure, a shot at glory, but most importantly, it’s a place where you can just be yourself on your board. Give a nod of respect to the deep blue sea and the people who try to conquer it with this Wave Logo tee featuring the Surf Fanatics’ name and logo. Combined with your sun-bleached hair and tanned skin, this tee will make it obvious to everyone that salt water practically runs through your veins.

Reef Velocity Navy Blue Boardshort $39.99 Speed up your surf satisfaction with these Velocity boardshorts by Reef featuring stretch spandex side panels!

Rip Curl Double Stoke Blue Boardshort $29.99 You’ll be even more stoked to hit the surf when you gear up in these Double Stoke buttersuede boardshorts by Rip Curl!

Reef Velocity Light Blue 4-Way Stretch Boardshort $39.99 Speed up your surf satisfaction with these Velocity boardshorts by Reef featuring stretch spandex side panels!

RVCA VA Strike Blue Boardshort $55 The iron is hot and the time is now, so throw on the VA Strike boardshorts from RVCA to tackle some waves in killer surf style.

Dakine Point Backpack – Blue $50 Go from school to the surf with ease when you keep all your necessities in this Point backpack by Dakine! It features a seam sealed wetsuit pocket, an organizer compartment and skate carry straps so you’ll have everything you need for every aspect of your life.

Alpinestars Picturesque Slim Fit T-shirt – Azure Blue $19.99 Take in the scenery while you sport sick surf style in the Picturesque tee from Alpinestars featuring a photographic collage print across the front.

Hawaiian Island Creations Klutch Black-Blue 4-Way Stretch Boardshorts $55 Put your surf style into overdrive in the Klutch boardshorts from HIC! They feature sublimated brand graphics, embroidery, 4-way Hydro Superstretch and no inseams!

Rip Curl Take Over Hawaiian Blue Boardshort $29.99 If you’d rather let your surf skills get you noticed than some loud, obnoxious pattern on your baggies, the classic Take Over boardshorts from Rip Curl are just the thing!

Volcom Armstrong Print 4-Way Stretch Boardshort – Blue $55 Beef up on some serious surf attitude with these Armstrong boardshorts by Volcom. With a rad engineered plaid print, 4-way stretch and no inseams, they’ve raised the bar for performance-driven comfort and style.

Jack O’Neill Peyton Plaid Walkshort – Navy Blue $69.5 Jack O’Neill is one of surfing’s most inspiring stories – he has contributed more to the sport than anyone past or present. He invented wetsuits allowing surfers to brave cold waters all over the globe, and the surf leash, to reduce swimming time and increase surfing time. He opened the very first surf shop in Santa Cruz in 1952 to stoke his friends’ interest in surfing and to give them a better experience on land and in the water. His motivation for everything he did was simply, “I wanted to surf longer.” Honor one of the founding fathers of surf by grabbing the Jack O’Neill Peyton walkshorts. You may not be the man, but at least you can dress like him!

O’Neill Imprint Sandals – Blue $20 Some sharks are able to detect as little as one part per million of blood in seawater – don’t cut your feet on your way to the surf! Protect those bad-boys with these Imprint flip flops from O’Neill! These super soft flops feature a grid pattern graphic imprinted on the waterproof soles and comfortable cloth-lined straps, ensuring your main source of transportation remains intact and lookin good. Plus no blood in the water means no shark’s teeth will be imprinted on your backside!

Rusty Come On Down Boardshort – Royal Blue $35 You’re the type of guy who’s always down to surf. You’ll wake up at any hour, skip out on work (within reason) and ditch less fun plans just so you can hit the waves. Rock boardies that support your surf-like-there’s-no-tomorrow attitude with the Come On Down boardshorts from Rusty. These simple shorts feature microsuede fabric, a bungee lanyard with a wax comb, bottle opener and fin key combo and contrast drawstrings. Dress simply, and live life to the fullest.