During big south swells the beach area in view of the Teahupoo reef monster produces some fine waves, also great for beginners who can simultaneously watch the pros surf the big waves on the reef in the distance.

BBC: Learning to surf in the land of giants

Science editor Alan Boyle's blog: A fossil skeleton found in central Nevada's desert years ago has been identified as belonging to a 30-foot-long sea monster that ruled beneath the waves 244 million years ago.

MSN: Expedition finds 40 unknown gas seeps off US East Coast