Waphaa

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I know it’s not all that funny that people got hit and died from a lightening strike in Venice (Avalon doesn’t count…’cuz, well, golfer), but where are the surfer interviews from that day?  Seriously, dude, it’s time to dust off the Waphaa and talk lightening.

 

LA County Junior Lifeguard Championships (Taplin Relay)

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1,200 stoked parents, 600 competitors from 10 LA County JG programs, fierce Taplin relay.  Daniel’s Venice competition finished 6th, but it hardly captures how hard the kids, instructors, and lifeguards work to be the absolute best in the surf.

Tunnel of Love

Art in the Air

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The shooters at EP5 Productions absolutely kill it with a GoPro drone and I’ve posted several beautiful shorts on The Wedge and Ben Carlson’s paddleout (the latter which will bring you to tears).  The short below has me fired up for this year’s Laguna Aquathon, which should be on everyone’s “must do” list.  Gonna try a pre-run this weekend, as the water has jumped up to 72 again.  #sealplay, #askmehow

Laguna Coastline from Eric Peniata / EP5 Productions on Vimeo.

Schadenfreude

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Your day is in the crapper.  It’s hot, you itch like there is no tomorrow, and Mom is going to give you a cold oatmeal bath outside.  The only thing that could make it worse is for someone (or something) to come over and mock your very dog existence.  Enter Borrego, stage left…

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Sound familiar?  Of course it does.  FarandaWey is here to remind you that there is also a German word for stoically accepting one’s temporary misery.  That word: Tohellwithit.

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When an End Comes Early

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Best Plans

Someone once told me that ”You’re in It until you’re not; but, you stay in It right up until that very day.”  Well, this is that day.

 

I officially pulled out of the 2014 Catalina Classic Paddleboard Marathon.  *sigh*

 

Honestly, it had to be done.  After a few back-to-back 18-20 mile paddles, a large south swell that had me bodysurfing for 6+ hours, and the Newport Beach 2-mile Pier-2-Pier Ocean Swim, the stabbing pain in my shoulder had me wishing surgery was scheduled for later in the month.  Am I bummed?  Well, it’s a hard question to answer.

A fellow paddler who had to pull out of last year’s Classic due to back injury put it this way: the decision takes weeks, but the pressure and stress melt away quickly once the ‘announcement’ is made.  Then, over the next week, paddling becomes fun again.  He also said that watching the start (most of the paddling community helps out with the race regardless of whether or not they are doing it) was/is p-a-i-n-f-u-l.  I can say this much for sure, I will be nowhere near the finish, though my respect and support go out to all the racers.  So, there it is.

What next?  Beer, couches and naps, kick the dog around the yard?  Nah.  It’s time to focus on some shorter races (Two Harbors, Island-2-Island), a bit of running, and a lot more writing featuring the amazing people who make up the paddling community.  Surgery looms large in October, but that, as they say is a whole nother story.  Cue the blues…

 

 

A Considerate Place

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I need a place for all of the great images and videos that came out of the weekend.  For all the sadness and heavy emotions that came in waves, there was also laughter, smiles, and the warmth of a community of lifeguards that is like a second family.  The video below is simply mindblowing and gives just a partial sense of how big the celebration of life was for Ben.  Amazing.

 

5341, 5342, 5343 all departing (top)

5341, 5342, 5343 all departing (top)


Godspeed

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There are a number of touching posts, tributes, tweets, articles, and make-shift memorials mourning the loss of Ben Carlson yesterday, July 6th, 2014—all of them for an outstanding lifeguard killed in the line of duty.  I have few words that could elevate his esteem any further amongst lifeguards, save on the nature of that duty, so please, bear with me.

I was fortunate to be bodysurfing with my dear friend, Alan Buchanan, most of the afternoon.  We had smiles on our faces and, when big sets came through, we marveled at the display of power.  So much water moving—it was loud and tumultuous, and thrilling.  Hell yes it was dangerous.

But, here’s the thing.  As we walked ourselves down the beach to jump back into the water yet again, we got to notice how great all the lifeguards looked on that day (10th, Schoolyards, 15th, 17th, Point…).  To a person, the guards were just putting on a clinic of textbook lifeguarding—standing up, anticipating sets, out early, pulling hard, and putting in time in some ugly conditions.

Hearing the bow of 5342 slam down the back side of a 12’+ set, motors growling, we paused on shore to watch Ben doing his thing, his duty, just like all the rest.  He was smiling and doing exactly what he was supposed to be doing—keeping folks safe.

I’m glad I waved to Ben and said hello to all the guards working up and down the line; glad I overheard Alan compliment several guys going to or returning from a rescue; and glad to know so many fine men and women who engender such a strong sense of duty.  Godspeed, Ben.