Merry Christmas!

December in Sweden is like………..well December in Sweden. If not for the salt content in the water on our west coast we could ice skate to Denmark.

Even with two 5mm wetsuits, chemical warm packs on the family jewels, booties, lobster claw gloves and a full balaklava, the walk from the parking lot to the water is enough to make me turn around and run back to the car. Add to that the fact that even on a “big” day we sit just outside the breakwater hoping for a tanker to pull in so as to use the wake for an extra foot in wave height.

On the bright side though, Christmas is Old World cool. 1200 years of history, food, drink and Viking-like celebration. One thing for certain is that the Vikings of old were NOT surfers. No matter how much grog they drank there is no way they braved the frigid waters of the north sea in nothing but animal skins. I mean they were hard asses no doubt but….

Anyway, if you live below the 60th parallel north consider “winter” in your neck of the woods tropical by comparison. If on Christmas morning the thermometer outside your window reads above -20, put down the cocoa and grab a beer instead. Raise it up and say a toast to your fellow surfers in the world that have not felt their lower extremities since September. Wish us the strenght and mental fortitude to pull on our 1/2 inch thick rubber Michelin man suits and make that walk from the car to the water (without getting arrested and shipped off to the looney bin).

In return we wish you a warm and Merry Christmas

/V

Wag the dog

I think I saw a film once, something about the guys behind the scenes that were responsible for taking the facts and spinning them so as to “mold” the story to fit their cause. Nothing new in that I suppose, happens all the time. The liberals are masters at it, lol.

What I find funny, no, hillarious is to what lengths some will go to gain support for their cause in SL  using the same methods usually reserved for high-powered “Spin-Doctors” in Washington.

The good news ( always searching for the positive hidden in the crap pile ) is that the folks that believe this BS are only followers and never leaders. The bright folks see through the spin, the less bright do not. It´s a + – thing. Negative energy (bullshit) is overcome by positive energy (truth).

Surf, laugh, dance, teach, welcome and share. The energy you create around you will nullify the BS, will serve not only yourself but those around you and will take the wind from the sails of those using negative energy to plot their course.

As the SL surf season winds down I hope it ends on a positive note. After all, we spend our free time in SL to escape the daily grind, to have fun with our friends and to make new ones. No room for spin, drama and needless BS

/V

Implosion?

Aloha – Why is it that humans, the most intelligent creatures on this planet find it necessary to kick each other in the teeth to obtain the illusion of superiority? Think about that while you read this…………

The recent events in the SL surf scene (you knew this was coming) have grown to circus like proportions. What has always been a fun place to hang out with friends and do silly things on virtual waves has become a battleground riddled with personal agendas, vengence, politics and power struggles.

What happened that caused the people that voted me onto the SLSA board of directors to a few months later question every decision my colleuges and I make? What was it that caused people to question the scores at nearly every contest, accuse “us” of  “rigging” comps, conspiring to keep certain riders in or out of the Hall of Fame and cry foul when we used the rules of our organiation to penalise them for violating established rules? When did the love of hanging out together get replaced with the need to beat each other to death?

I´ve asked myself that question alot lately. Searched for some tangible “something” to get ahold of in an effort to eliminate that something from SL surfing. Then I realised it´s human nature to tear each other apart in an effort to get what we want.

I have always, in every decision that I have been involved with, acted with total disregard for how it afffects me personally and instead chosen to use my influence on the board of directors to push for decisions with the membership, the surfers best interest foremost.

What did I get for it? Kicked in the teeth. The rumour mill has gone so far as to suggest that I and a few of my collegues are out to “destroy the SLSA”. Who or what elements are making the accusations? Who knows. No one seems to have the guts to approach me personally with their concerns. Probablly because they know that they would be met with friendly, respectfull and genuine answers. Things that they are not real good at.

In any case, serving a community that has nothing but disregard for my effort has taken it´s toll to say the least. I´m torn between honouring my oath to serve my entire term and throwing in the towel all together.  The coming days will certainly make my decision easier but without a crystal ball the best thing for me to do is wait and see.

My father always says “If you have nothing positive, uplifting or inspiring to say, say nothing at all”. Smart dude my old man.

/V

Back 2 Basics

SL surfing has been incredibally rewarding for me. Not just competing but hosting, sponsering, judging and serving on the SLSA board of directors has been soooo much fun.

Recently, at an SLSA comp the tone had changed. The spirit that has always held us together as a community was poisoned by a few people that seem to have never really understood why we surf together.

This post if ever read, will inevitably infuriate those boneheads that find it neccesary to spam the staff at surf comps, trash talk in public chat in the stands and spread negative energy. Quite frankly I don´t care. I´m of the opinion that surfing in SL is about having fun. I´m of the opinion that griefing is hate and hate has no place at a surf comp. I´m of the opinion that 40 people having fun is more important than your right to grief. I´m of the opinion that sportsmanship and fair play must be our focus. I´m of the opinion that respect is a 2 way street and that those who choose to show disdain for their fellow surfers and staff members should be disqualified.

It is my hope that this was an isolated incident and that with some polite reminders pointing to the SLSA Rules of Conduct we can once again return to having fun and respecting each other. I have no problem listening to the concerns of my fellow surfers, complaints, protests, whatever. What I do demand is respect as should we all. Expect it not if your are not willing to give it.

Back 2 Basics – Surf because it´s fun! Cheer your fellow surfers on, regardless of team affiliation. Spread positive energy. Suck it up if ya have a bad day and cheer for others instead! Lighten up – perspective is in order. Give and recieve. Sportsmanship is classy, fair play is expected. Together we ride, together we belly

/V

End of the beginning?

Aloha – Been forever since I posted but now it´s time again.

Last night I sent a group notice to the Bishara group (in SL) and I have to say that it was the hardest one ever. The group IM window exploded of course and I waited 20 minutes to respond, watching the chat and giving everyone a chance to vent. I then offered some info and some solid numbers on what it takes to keep Bishara running. Think it suprised everyone when they got to see for themselves what SL actually costs the sim owners.

As I never really had the chance nor did I want to add any “personal” perspective, this post and this “channel” will have to suffice. First of all and for the record, let it be known that it has been my greatest pleasure working for Dumisani and all of you. I know I speak for all of the managers and officers when I say that the whole Bishara project has been a blast. Dumi allowed us, provided for us a place to live and play in SL that other sims owners will be trying to match for a long time to come. We managed to create SL´s premier surfing paradise and for well over a year (which is a lifetime in SL) we were at the top of the heap. No bots, no gambling, no camping, no sex clubs, no weapons. Just honest good times and traffic off the charts.

As with all things in life, both RL and SL, time does´nt stand still. Things change, people move and life goes on. Perspective is in order here I suppose. It´s a “game”. We played and we played hard. We surfed, laughed, got drunk and then surfed some more. And we will continue to do so just someplace else. Bishara was a great place and will be remembered as such.

So thanks for all the good times, the support and the passion that you have all invested. Look forward to new things in SL. New places to surf and hang out, new friends and new beginnings.

Mahalo,

/V

Aloha!

OK – After a long, hard winter this dude is taking a vacation! Not surfin in Morocco this time but Salmon fishing in Norway with my hard-core fly fishing buddies. Saturday the 12th of July is roadtrip time and a 12 hour journey begins to the river Driva in Norway for 14 days of two-handed flyfishing.

Rumor has it some crazy Norwegians stationary surf on the rivers up there but after all my years of fishing up there I have still to confirm that. Maybe this time I´ll find someone stupid enough to lend me a board for a few minutes ( and a 2 inch thick wetsuit ).

Heres hoping we all get out and have some RL fun and until I get back Dumi and Lissa, hold down the fort

Cheers, /V