Surf Bible for Australian 'grommets'

God beats the biggest barrel, Christian surfers say

The latest accessory for Australia's thrill-seeking surfers - a bible.

The Surfers Bible is being published next week complete with a picture of a barrelling wave on the cover, four-colour graphics and the testimonials of nine Christian surfers.

We believe He has spoken, not just through the waves, but also in real words

Surfers Bible

Siebrand Petrusma, the bible's publisher, told BBC News Online that Christian surfers were "ordinary men and women who have a love of surf but have also found meaning in the scriptures.

"They see there's more to life than surfing on a big wave," he said.

The idea for the bible came after an earlier project, the Grommet's Guide to God, sold more than 60,000 copies.

The guide, a version of St Mark's Gospel, took its name from the Australian slang for a surfer, a grommet.

Now the Surfers Bible is taking the whole of the New Testament to Australia's beaches - written in contemporary English rather than surfing slang.

Mr Petrusma, publisher of the Bible Society in Australia, said 5,000 copies of the bible had been printed, mainly for sale in Australia.

Pray for surf

Each will cost A$9, though people who want to buy copies to give away will pay less.

In its introduction, the Surfers Bible explains that surfers are inherently religious, many seeing their sport as spiritual.

"Many surfers would say they believe in a creator. Some would call him 'Huey'. 'Pray for Surf' is yet another surf slogan surfers are all too willing to identify with, such is the religious fervour of surfers for their surfing," it says.

In one of the testimonials, 2001 ASP (Association of Surfing Professions) world champion CJ Hobgood said he owed his success to God.

"I'm stoked to be able to thank Jesus Christ for everything," he said.