Fresh Friday September 2nd, 2005
Fresh Friday is a weekly article from We Are Water's web editor.
Katrina and the Waves, Slater, and Pier Talk.
Fresh Friday September 2nd 2005
Katrina Katastrophe
As evident by the latest news, Katrina is turning out to be a major catastrophe. The loss of life and property are insurmountable. As we frolic in the hurricane surf, we need to keep in mind the destruction of life and property these horrific storms cause. While local and traveling surfers enjoyed some of the best surf seen on the Gulf Coast, tragically, the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama area was hammered into oblivion. It’s important in the humanitarian relief effort that everyone contributes to what they can. The Red Cross seems like the best option as it is very easy to donate money on-line through their website. If you have another charity, or relief effort…join the cause! As a past Hurricane survivor myself, I can faintly understand the grief and suffering that is currently taking place.
Yahoo has set up a website to help Red Cross with it's on-line donations. Access the link through RedCross.Org or direct link here:
Red Cross Yahoo on-line donation
Pro-Surfing Ramblings
Kelly Slater’s 7th world title hunt is continuing in Japan. There is a live on-line broadcast (Japan daylight hours) and the contest looks to have a new swell filling in according to the webpage that covers the ASP. Check it for the latest articles and information.
Locally, the 2005 National Kidney Foundations Labor Day Surf Contest takes place at Coconuts in Cocoa Beach. Last year’s contest was delayed by Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne and this one looks like it will have a Hurricane free weekend! If you don’t know the history of the NKF and the founders you are missing out on an incredible story of love, sharing, and contributing back to the community. This will be my 2nd year volunteering to be a surf judge. Its a fun event with a great cause in the NKF. For more info check them out at this website:
2005 NKF surf contest web page
Pier Talk
With all walks of life included, surfers come in all shapes, sizes, and personal skills. Some are gabbers, others or not. For me, I will strike up a conversation if someone is nearby or I see a friend. Others…well, they just clam up. They either are shy or just not into talking while surfing. For whatever reason, generally I find surfers are recluse and don’t talk to strangers all that much. But they do open up after an ice-breaker comment like, When’s low tide?
I don’t know why it irks me, but I find it weird that surfers can be out in a raging sea and when it comes to making eye contact and saying a friendly hello it is taboo. People may be caught up in the Zen of the moment or whatever, but it seems that Pier Talk should be kept on the beach and not the water.
The other day I was surfing 2ndlight which attracts all kinds of different people. This one guy was kind of getting on my nerves as he was one of those No Talk people. It doesn’t happen very often as I’m use to surfing in crowds. I said hello to him and he just gave me a blank stare. That really gets on my nerves. I took the effort to say hello and I get no reply???
After a few more set waves went through, he and I kept coming back to the same peak and again, no communication at all from him. I decided to give up and just try to Zen out myself and daydream while waiting for the next wave. Well, that next set came and we both got in each other’s way. Being peeved, I was determined to break through this clam shell and get this guy to say something. It was a personal challenge of mine now. I’ll ask What time is Low Tide, that usually works, right?
I’ve been surfing for a long time and surfed in many crowded spots before, but I have never seen someone just absolutely not even acknowledge you! This is ridiculous...
To make a long story short, I eventually paddled closer to him and asked him if he had the Time of Day. This question will always get a response.
Finally I got what I wanted from, Mister Clam Shell and he said, “No English.”
I replied, “Si, Espanol?”
He looked at me funny with that blank stare again.
“Si, French?” I don’t speak any foreign languages.
He finally confessed and said, “Check.”
I was thinking this guy is playing me in a Chess Match and just moved in position to put my King in Check!
I was perplexed and thought outloud, “Check…", with a stab in the dark guess, "...Czech Republic?”
He nodded yes, then again said, “No English.”
It turned out Mister Clam Shell had a great reason not to partake in Pier Talk!
So the moral of this story, if I can pull one out, would be, say hello in the line-up. You’ll never know who you will meet!
Talk it up…but, save the Pier Talk for the beach!
Info on Landlocked Czech Republic
We Are Water Happenings
We Are Water will feature a new writer soon. A friend has submitted some ideas and wants to get his feet wet in the surfing literature world. He hasn’t come up with the whole strategy or name for the articles, but after reading a little bit yesterday, they should be interesting!
Dermot has another article published this past week. Article is on traveling and surfing in your own backyard. Link is here: My Own Backyard by Dermot
We Are Water is waiting for a new article by Logjammer which I hope is in the pipes. Logjammers Drifting article index is here: Drifting by logjammer
Thanks for everyone for checking out We Are Water…WeAreH2O.Com. The hit counter has steadily grown and last week the website counter showed 1,203 people checked out the site. Maybe one of these mouse clicks originated from the Czech Republic!
Thanks! New features are coming as time ticks.
WeAreH2O.Com Editor
David Reid
Sales@WeAreH2O.Com