South Vancouver Island with Bertha
- Richard (Dickie)
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Two weeks in another unconventional paradise, scoring consistent waves of all sorts. Cold water surfing is not for everyone, but its definitely for me and a select few frothers that are crazy enough or blessed enough to enjoy the peaceful sanctuary of mother natures brisk mornings. Grateful to have had the time to get my old Van (Bertha) running smooth again, every piece of cedar and driftwood reminds me that I have been living this life long before I was even a "surfer", when travelling the world and exploring the unexplored was my church. A straight piped big block 360 engine with a 3 speed transmission makes Bertha a certified mopar hot rod but instead of being a race car, she is a beautiful home and a hilarious time!
My good friend Elfi was in from Mexico and I could tell she needed a laugh after a heavy farewell visit in Calgary. Elfi had lived in Bertha a few years back as accommodations in Tofino so this was a special moment. We had also just finished a crazy heat wave and beautiful 2 weeks of great waves in Tofino, so the swell was shifting and south island looked juicy! We met at Sombrio and I changed the starter in the pouring rain after double dipping and scoring all morning. We got Elfi into a wet suit and she got the real west coast experience - rain drops and foggy waterfalls as the back drop of a world class wave, day 1 was a complete success!
We road tripped to Sooke and said good bye, Elfi was heading off to a different paradise in Mexico and I was about to camp out by Port Renfrew... both paradises in my eyes! I would drive into town for food and diesel for the heater every 2 days, also scoring some wifi to upload my days of filming my new friends and frothers. I helped people pack up their tents and shared the joys of the beach life with so many happy faces, none could have been happier than mine as Bertha took care of me as she has for the last 15 years. I had a warm cabin to change in and relax after surfing. We cooked great meals and drank a few beers, but never missed a surf.... until right now in this moment at 7am, I decided to write this blog before my sunrise surf because the rain drops are falling on my roof and the light is just poking through dusk. It's Monday morning and there is still a few of us frothers lingering in the rain with waves in our hearts.
Looking back on all the adventures that prepared me for where I am right now, all the stressful travel stories that could have went the other way, the beautiful people that always seem to show up just at the right time, I am grateful. Grateful for Nikki and Joel who shared their fire and tent with me to film under, grateful for Elfi who brought me a new starter in the parking lot, grateful for surfing and how it helped me rehabilitate from 21 surgeries on my right leg - Grateful to be here, right now, in this place sharing these moments with all of you.... I hope you enjoy the stories through our archive, which you can view here!
I am off for one last surf in the rain out here in the Magical Vancouver South Island.
Peace and Love Homies!
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