Happy Spring everyone.
We're coming off an exceptionally cold winter in the northeast having stacked up plenty of days of zero and subzero temperatures. Our beloved Lake Champlain froze solid from Vermont to New York for the first time in almost a decade permitting anyone brave enough to walk or slide across the 12-mile divide. Warmer temperatures are around the corner bringing more light, longer days and a crisp new Issue #13 which you're holding in your hands right now.
In this issue, our friend Dylan Stott recounts the seven most memorable moments of this winter at Mullaghmore covering the emotions, the glory, the dangers and the claims from a heavy season in Ireland. Travel writer Jen Murphy takes us on a trip to Morocco to capture the desert scenery and remind us why Dakhla sits on the bucket list of every wind and wave chaser. We head to the big wave historic village of Nazare with Chris Dodds to learn about a new regenerative ocean farm that is growing kelp to maintain fish stocks and support the local fishing economy with the help of some well known big wave surfers.
Jamie and Francesca Hockley continue their journey through Central America landing in Costa Rica where they ride, explore and compare the fresh water interiors of Arenal against the arid lagoons of the Pacific coast noting that the land of Pura Vida lives in conscious harmony with its natural surroundings. Photographer Gaëtan Charlin, takes us inside the anticipation, preparation and execution of the historically big days at Teahupo’o - the ones that signal a potential Code Red and ultimately land in the regional archives of the biggest days ever ridden. And finally, Steve West underscores the deepest fears felt by all who enter the ocean with a couple of his own personal shark tales to keep us on our toes.
I feel that each of these stories emphasize the brilliance of time and place. The notion of "being in the moment" - for me - means being a student of what's happening right in front of us. We hear this phrase echoed in the teachings of mindfulness and meditation designed to keep us from laboring in the past or speculating about the future.
The most valuable time we have is right now - it's the only time we can do anything about. Being present is about taking it all in and appreciating everything around you for what it is and why it's happening. It's about celebrating the uniqueness of this very moment, seeing your place in it and absorbing every drop through every sensory in your body. Admittedly, not every moment in our day will give us pause, but when it does, take the time to be there before it's gone.
As always, thank you for your readership and continual support. Have a great day.
Russ
