The gray water of the ocean looked like it had a lot on its mind today, as did I. I was drifting, surrounded by my small group of surf family, listening but not saying much, the effortless, gentle rollers picking me up and sending me off down smooth lines. One arm paddling again and waking up to a sharp pain in now my other shoulder, I mostly floated in my thoughts, a wave here or there rising up and lifting me out of my funk.
Protein bowls later and I wound up with Vince Felix, pro longboarder and Venturan, down at the holy surf office of Jose Barahona, where they began conjuring up a plans for a new model together. Upon entering the room, my surf coach Mike Siordia was unexpectedly already there, and the three of us left Jose to work some magic and paddle out for session number 2 while Jose got organized. A few bumpy low tide ripples later and we landed back in the shaping shop, of course not coming empty handed (beer and board meetings go hand in hand).
Barahona had drawn the outline, and was ready to cut away into surfboard oblivion. A 10 foot hunk of foam was whittled down to a piece of art, and a type of board that I have never seen before. Coach Mikey was wide-eyed during the whole process, hands on his head and dazed at the never seen shape that was coming out of the dust. I watched like an eager grom as Vince and Jose occasionally stopped, made a few changes, and eventually finished with – I don’t even know what to call it. Whatever it is though, it is beautiful, different, and all I know is I wanted it under my feet. If I’m lucky, maybe Vince will let me take it for a spin.
