Despite a hectic final approach to the end of the year I managed to get a surf in during a stroppy south swell this week. Just a handful of chilled out locals, a bucking bronco take-off and not much more exciting to report down the line, apart from the odd washing-machine rinse on the inside. One such vortex reared up right in front of me on a paddle out and sent me and my board spinning end-over-end back toward the beach before pinning me to the sandy bottom in an eerie calm. I couldn't help but smile. There's something about a good thrashing that anchors me, reminds me to slow down a bit and enjoy the finer moments of life. Yep, it's a busy end to the year, but the light at the end of the tunnel is a bunch more impact-zone rollercoaster rides, a summer riddled with camping trips and water time.
Here are my top-five tips to reconnecting with life this summer break:
1) Technology free days ... yep, get out of range and break the shackles.
2) Camp somewhere off the beaten track. Throw a dart at the topo map and just go.
3) Wake up before the sun and hit the beach. Repeat often.
4) Commit to a few car-free days. Just walk.
5) Say "yes" to everything.
Okay, well try not to get arrested, but free yourself from routine this summer and thank us later.
See you at the beach ... Derek
PS Have you seen the recently released film for Black Boy Peaches' song Diamonds? Here it is and featuring a few of our favourite Dunedin haunts (including the Box of Light studio). Epic to see these guys kicking goals.
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