Saturday was a paddle out for a beloved Taitung friend who passed away a few weeks ago while surfing. Bob was an amazing guy, who loved the ocean and wanted to share that passion with anyone he met. As many shared at the paddle out, he was always encouraging us to go big. Bob is the reason I still surf today. After getting hurt 6 years ago, I didn't know if I would ever surf again. It took me a year to even take my surfboard with me when I went to the ocean. And even then I would sit there looking at the waves and "chicken out". One day I went to the Reef (same place that I had gotten hurt at) and I saw Bob surfing alone. I thought to myself it is now or never. I paddled out put as I felt the rip current pull me I started to panic. I cried out to Bob," I'm scared. How do I get back in?! He paddled over and tried to encourage me to calm down and just sit it out. I was too scared so we he helped me paddle in; coaching me along the way. We sat on the beach and talked about what had just happened. Bob had also had a life treating experience (about the same time I got hurt) where his fin went through his leg. He talked about it and how he still surfs. I didn't go back in the water again that day but I promised him I would. I love surfing today! Even though I still think often of my accident I try to go big, like Bob taught us. I will miss him! Here are some pictures from the paddle out last weekend. I can't imagine a more fitting way to honor his life than what we did at the paddle out!
We met at Palm Point (a favorite surfing spot of Bob's). There was a time of sharing stories and experiences shared with Bod then we all "paddled out" in honor of him.
We all had flowers that we carried in our mouthes. Here we are starting to form a circle.
We held hands. There was beautiful aboriginal music playing in the background. I can not express in words how moving it was to be apart of this!
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