Do something nice…make someone's day

The surf was really fun this morning.  Wind was offshore
and the swell in the 3-4 foot range making for steep, hollow
takeoff's and a barrel here and there.  Given that it's mid
December having the air temperatures in the low 60's here in
NJ was an extra bonus. Oh did I mention a deep blue cloudless
sky with bright sun? Pretty special, pretty rare.

After surfing a few hours and feeling really happy I casually
stood by my car taking off my gloves and boots.  Given the beauty
of the day a friend, Brian, and I began to talk. Neither of us were
in a hurry. Brian was beaming, stoked about all the fun he'd had.
He went on to tell me that the fun was, in part, the result of a random
act of kindness from a stranger.

Knowing that the surf was good, Brian had rushed to pack his car in
order to take advantage of his window, between taking kids to
school and going to work.  He got to the beach and suited up only
to realize he'd forgotten to bring a leash. I guess he voiced his
displeasure in a loud voice filled with a few explitives.  So loud
that a guy who'd just gotten out of the water heard him.  "What's
up" the stranger asked.  When Brian told him he'd forgotten his leash
the stranger said "no worries, take mine, here's my address just drop
it off when you're done".  Brian was stoked!

Pretty simple thing to do! How easy was it to make someone's day
by doing a random act of kindness. Something we all should
think about.  When was the last time you made someone's day by
doing something nice?

Much needed sessions - Blue Mind

Been a tough weekend for me and thankfully I've been able to surf.
The waves were fun, the water and air not that cold yet.  I'm
so grateful for the ocean, waves, and what it does to and for me.

I hope you have had a chance to read Wallace J. Nichols great book
The Blue Mind.  It's a book about what water, (the ocean for me), does
to our brains, to our psyche's.  Pretty interesting to read about the science
that altered my brain as I arced across a decent section of a chest high wave,
riding the twinzer that has become my newest favorite board. I felt non
of the stress, sadness, and sorrow that has made the past few days tough
for me.  My mind and soul were happy for the time I spent in the ocean,
waiting, checking the horizon, watching and judging the waves as they
approached, and my spirit was joyous as I put my board through it's
paces.

Last night I needed to clear my head.  At 11pm I walked to the ocean.
It was dark, the wind was blowing, the surf was pounding and a few
fisherman were oiut on the jetty hoping for some stripers.  They too
seemed to be pleased enough just being there. Being in, on, and near
the ocean. Hearing the sounds, smelling the smells, feeling the spray,
appreciating the wonderous healing, calming nature of the ocean.

Some sessions we need more then others. Give thanks for the ocean and
what it can do for you.

Reunions - Old boards, old friends, old memories

Been a very interesting month or so for me.  First came the annual
Manasquan Classic Longboard Contest.  This is one of the only
2 contests I generally enter a year, and it's one that always brings a
smile to my face.  We started the contest a few decades ago just for fun.
You have to ride a pre-1968 classic longboard and there are only 2 rules
1) no rules and 2) no complaints.  The event is a chance to reunite with
old friends and people who you don't see or surf with that often.  It is also
a trip down memory lane.  The classic old boards are wonderful to look
at, albeit not always easy to ride. When was the last time you got a
chance to see over 100 classics lined up on the beach? When did you
actually get a chance to ride a board you might have had in the 60's?
There is a great photo of me trying with all my might to crank a bottom
turn on an old Weber Performer with a hatchet fin.  Guess I forgot that
you can't actually do that, you have to ride those
boards differently.  As you'd imagine with a gathering like that talking
story, reliving the "old days" is part of the fun.

The next event  was an actual reunion of the fabled Kiernan  Surfing
Association.  Kiernan was the name of the street leading to one of Long
Branch NJ's best surf break.  The street is long gone as are the
bungalows on it.  The great jetty and shoreline lined with poles are
gone as well. The bottom and structure that groomed swells buried
under tons of sand. Waves barely break at that once hallowed spot.
As I looked at the area from the beach it was unrecognizable.  The guys
who were members of the Kiernan Surfing Association were amongst
the best in NJ.  Surfer's like Vince Troniec, Charley Kunes who were
on the  Dewey Weber Surf Team, "Old Guys" like Big Mike and Duke
Fratten, both in their 90's, men we looked up to were all there.
Memories, stories, laughs, and photos were shared.


The final event of this "hat-trick" was my 50th high school reunion.
50 yearsis a really long time.  I saw people I've known for over 60
years! People from elementary school. My first girlfriend, team mates
from football and baseball, people I sat in classes with, people I
partied with,( in a 1950's and early 1960's kind of way) were all there.
Some were easy to pick out, they'd looked  similar to how they
looked 50 years ago with some grey and a few wrinkles, others
were unrecognizable, while others sadly had passed away or been
killed in war. Questions about those who weren't there, updates on
peoples lives created endless waves memories.

Each of these events were chances to reflect and look at how my life
has unfolded. Each event prompted me to be grateful for howit's all
has turned out. How often do you take the time to look back and learn?

 Every surfer has certain waves locked in our memories. We can recall
the smallest details, the break, the size, the shape all burned into our
brains. Life is full of little events, full of people, full of posibilities.
As someone at the  high school reunion said…"hey we're still here"!
As someone commented to me…"keep surfing!"  Good advice for us all.
Cherish your memories but enjoy your life. Remember those waves but
keep surfing and looking forward to the next swell you never know
what's to come.

Pleasure from diversity

Today was a really fun day. The surf was between chest to 

head high and even though thewind wasn't offshore it was

not a factor at all.  The swell direction wasn't perfect but that too

wasn't a big deal.  I was lucky enough to surf twice before having

to go to my office. What a joy!  I rode 2 entirely different boards 

today each with it's own spirit, it's own mood and flow. 

My dawn patrol pick was a 5'9" Larry Mabile twin fin with

beautiful wooden keels.  That board is really quick and riding

it has a curious influence on how I surf.  I seem to make arcing

swooping turns, I coil at the bottom of waves and glide smoothly

off the top.  It's kind of a speedy "go with the flow"gliding type

of mindset.

For my second session I decided to ride my 6'8" Malwitz

widowmaker.  It has two sidebites and a 6 inch Skip Frye 

center fin.  The shape, as a friend who saw me waking from

car commented, was 70's style with updates.  Totally different from

my early morning fish.  Obviously I had to alter my mindset and style.

My turns were different as was the speed. No coiling on the

widowmaker.

Great diversity provided me with great pleasure. Perhaps the 

same can be said for our life experiences and friendships.  How

often do you step out of your comfort zone? How frequently

do you push yourself to try something totally different?  Do

you surround yourself with people who look, think, or act the same?

Might not be a strategy that provides you with the greatest fulfillment.

There is great pleasure from diversity.