Happy Fall everyone.
For those of us in the northern hemisphere, ’tis the time when boardies and bikinis get swapped out for thin layers of rubber as the sun starts to distance itself from us. Generally, that also means more turbulent air which as we know brings more wind and bigger waves. The issue you’re holding has gone to 11 and it’s packed with all the content you’ve grown to know and love.
They say happiness is measured by the gap between reality and expectations. Keeping that gap in check can be particularly challenging in a world where growth is consistently expected. The stories in these pages are spread across that spectrum between living moment to moment versus finding the shortest distance to greatness and scale. Ultimately, the only judgement that matters is the one we have of ourselves. We can be overly critical, too complacent or simply content. The challenge is to find the balance that brings us the most admiration toward who we are and how we spend our time.
In the pages ahead, Dylan Stott introduces us to the new king of Mullaghmore — a great fella named Conor Maguire who demonstrates humility and poise while riding one of the largest swells to ever hit the shores of Ireland leaving nothing but smiles in his wake. Maria Behrens takes us on a trip to Guadeloupe with the Duotone team to explore the full gamut of foiling possibilities and opportunities in an uncrowded tropical paradise.
Erin Brooks is the up-and-comer getting attention for her aerial game which she has perfected through a dedication to fastidious training. Solid accolades from the top men on tour and her mentor Bethany Hamilton give us all promise that this young woman has what it takes to make a big mark in professional surfing. Our own Evelyn O'Doherty uncovers the origin story of Bureo — a company using recycled fishing nets to displace virgin fossil fuel alternatives in the apparel space. Three young entrepreneurial surfing minds launched the company with start up checks from the Chilean government and the Chouinard Family venture fund giving them the capital and confidence they needed to go from a passion project to a global enterprise committed to protecting the ocean.
Jamie and Francesca Hockley travel through Central America to the great Lake of Nicaragua where they explore the venturi that blows between the lake's two iconic volcanos. Time slows down for the two of them as they study the subtle differences of “Nic” from the surrounding countries. Emma Limburg heads to Japan exercising a “no mind” Zen approach to her visit practicing unconditional acceptance of everything she and her travel partner experience. Emma and TJ purposely drop into the less visited resorts on the island nation to fully experience the purest form of the Japanese snow riding culture. In doing so, they prove yet again that success is more accurately measured by the value created from experiences than any other alternative.
As always, we hope these stories fill you with inspiration while keeping your own expectations in check. Because the reality we all accept and know all too well is that time spent on the water always brings us happiness.
I hope to see you there,
Russ
