Yesterday was World Ocean Day and even though South Africa is in the middle of one of the chilliest winter's we've ever known, with snow on the mountains and ice on our windshields in the mornings; we were blessed with 25 degree weather and intended to make the very most of it.
As a surfer, I was invited to attend and take part in a wonderful campaign set up all around South Africa, to raise awareness for the sharks. People are killing the sharks, passing the meat off as tuna or other seafood and we can barely tell the difference. It was such a wake up call when the event organizer mentioned that for those of us who eat seafood have definitely 100% eaten shark in the past without even being aware of it.
A beautiful thing that made yesterday so special was heading out into the water, forming a circle with the other surfers and having a moment of silence for the sharks whose lives have already been taken.
The thing is, as a surfer you're biggest fear in the water is of course.. sharks. Yet here we all were, forming together in our wetsuits and on our boards, out in the water and fighting for their lives.
Beyond that, being back out in the water and in the waves made me ecstatic. Yesterday was one of the best days that I have had in a long time - and you can see that from the laughter, smiles and happiness in the following photographs of my World Ocean Day.
This was us, on our way to the beach at a painfully early hour... especially as some of us had rather mean hangovers:
Suiting up to head into the water!
(Best feeling in the world... the smell of neoprene rubber, sea salt and wax puts me into a happy bubble.)
Just after the surf, at the beach cafe getting breakfast and soaking up some rare winter sunlight and warmth.
All of us were full of happiness, laughter and unmissable smiles as we ordered some food and caught up as we basked in the warmth of the sun.
Of course, by the end of the day, all I wanted was to head back out into the beautiful ocean and ride a few more waves before heading home.
How unbelievably breathtaking is it to be able to look out at the early morning mist hovering over the inviting ocean...? Knowing that those waves, are yours. And in one moment in time, you become one with the universe. Sacrifice yourself to the immensity of the ocean and it's creatures and waves. It is something truly beautiful.
How unbelievably breathtaking is it to be able to look out at the early morning mist hovering over the inviting ocean...? Knowing that those waves, are yours. And in one moment in time, you become one with the universe. Sacrifice yourself to the immensity of the ocean and it's creatures and waves. It is something truly beautiful.
Did any of you celebrate world ocean day and if you did, what did you get up to?
Have a fantastic week ahead guys.
Catch ya all on the flip side.
