Article: SURF CITY, CANADA HOCKEY MAY BE SAFE AS THE NATIONAL PASTIME, BUT ON THE WILD WEST COAST OF VANCOUVER ISLAND, SURFING IS A WAY OF LIFE.(Getaways)

A quiver of surfboards rests against the entrance of Storm Surf Shop in this hippie-chic village. Although it's sunny and warm outside, everyone is inside staring at the TV set.

Flaked out on futons in the bluish glow are six local surfers and me. We're screening the latest effort of 22-year-old Allister Fernie, surfer, surf-shop manager and amateur videographer.

``Check it out,'' he says. ``Mike's ripping this one.''

The TV flashes shaky scenes of Adam Smallwood and Mike Stupka sliding up and down 5-foot waves at nearby Long Beach. They surf short boards for maximum maneuverability and speed.

Fernie would rather have been out surfing ...

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