I pull into the familiar car park and it's dark. The headlights over the Seaway seem to guide my way over to the island I want to reach. It's been a long time. Perhaps too long. The wind is suspect and conditions aren't ideal. It leaves an empty scenario and I anticipate filling it's void. 5 foot and 9 inches of fibreglass and I are about to form a bond. A friendship so deep no one, yet everyone can understand.
I paddle into the darkness and see a fin. Yet I feel calm. I see another fin and finally a pod of them and I'm thankful to share the ocean with dolphins. Before I reach the rock wall there is a rainbow lighting up the North. I look behind me and see a storm. Perfect.
My feet run along the empty islands shore, like so many times before. A decade ago I was riding a piece of foam. Times change. I nosedive my first wave. I laugh and hoot at an empty left hander grinding it's way in front of the pipe as I paddle back out. I blow my next wave. I realise I am getting old and my body won't allow me to surf the way my mind portrays.
The next wave I take off deep. My body naturally arches into the oceans lump as it pitches. I look around the barrel and turn on the shoulder, with as much control as my new relationship will allow me to. I ride the wave to shore. Walk. Admire. Paddle. As I make my way back to the car I forgot to lock, a human walking a dog gives me a friendly wave. G'day mate.
I would surf naked if it wasn't for my embarrassingly small genitilia and society's views. I open the car, listen to my favourite band and write this terribly long status. The day has just started. But my love for the ocean is stronger than ever and I contemplate my next decision....
Words by the incredible and super friendly Stevie Lloyd. Stevie is an absolute frother and legend of a guy who will always drop in on you...... Yes I won't forget Stevie, you owe me two waves.!!!
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I'm excited to share a recent milestone in my photography journey. The Coffee Club Coolangatta commissioned me to produce two large pieces of canvas photography art as part of their coastal refurbishment.