In Search of Captain Zero: Book Chronicles Surfing Adventures of Author, Allan Weisbecker

As is evidenced by the dearth of quality surf-related books available after almost a century of our sport's modern era, finding a new, full-length work within the tiny genre that demands positive word-of-mouth is rare. Fortunately, Allan C. Weisbecker's latest work, In Search of Captain Zero, is worthy of such talk.

In Search of Captain Zero chronicles the adventures of its narrator/author, Allan Weisbecker, as he takes a surfer's tour across the coastal areas of seven, Central American countries-from the United States border at Tijuana, Mexico to the unspoiled rainforest of Panama-in search of a longtime friend that mysteriously stopped contacting him after checking out to Central America's nether regions in hopes of discovering a wave paradise to settle upon.

Weisbecker-a true surfer, rugged traveler, street-smart nomad and wise sage-and his traveling companion/safety valve, his dog, Shiner, follow a very dangerous game plan, scouring the wave-ridden, west coast in order to find out the fate of his buddy, Christopher.

From a lexical standpoint, Weisbecker's writing is original, precise and fantastically descriptive, which really makes reading In Search of Captain Zero a treat. But possibly the most striking facet of In Search of Captain Zero is that the events shared by Weisbecker are all true. (Granted, small poetic license has been taken by the author.) At times, the outlandish predicaments and characters Weisbecker experiences read like pure fiction, as many excerpts seem too bizarre to be based in truth; however, the author stands firmly behind the "non-fiction/memoir" category the publishing house has afforded the book.

Below the surface of Weisbecker's story, though, his twisting tale visits many themes and ideas that most people can relate to. The general surfing issues help drive the story-from the sheer size and power of our Mother Ocean (dubbed "Big Blue" in this text) to localism, and from the utter mystery of riding waves to the subtleties and pecking orders in the lineup-and the regional dilemmas set the stage-including localism below the border, banditos federales, unsavory characters and drug run-ins.

But it is Weisbeckers's personal (yet universal) problems with his everyday existence that help him to make that all-important human connection with each reader. Weisbecker's narrator deals with facing his past, the hardships of being a surfer in love, having a friend in trouble and coming to grips with himself.

Colorfully complimenting In Search of Captain Zero is Weisbecker's website, www.aweisbecker.com, where a 15-minute photographic tour contains a healthy file of Weisbecker's personal prints from his lengthy journey. Designed to give readers the chance to see the actual places, unique characters, natural wonders and paths taken by Weisbecker while surviving life "Down South", the site is a great companion to the nearly photo-free book, and also is a place where the book can be ordered online.