Fathers and Sons

Fathers and Sons

Anyone who has visited my humble WebPages know that I treasure the times I shared surfing with my son while he was growing up. Our travel time, and water sessions, surfaris, and board shopping trips, were opportunities to share a truly fun and enlightening experience together. Since my oldest boy has moved out on his own, and my youngest is not quite ready to start, I spend most of my sessions on my own, enjoying myself as usual, but also missing the joy that only kids learning to surf can openly express. A month or so ago, I went out at an eastside break that was relatively small and uncrowded and began picking off some really fun waves. The water temp is phenomenal and the weather is perfect right now for Santa Cruz. No wetsuit, no leash, no fear of a cold dunking...As I pulled a few hard turns, cutbacks, floaters, noserides and headdips, I noticed a middle-aged gentleman paddling around on the shoulder, occasionally trying for a wave, but mostly just smiling at everyone and cheering at the great fun when others performed well. He kept checking up the line at another break, and waving, but I couldn't see who he was waving to. I began to think maybe it was someone on the cliff waving him in, but he didn't seem concerned. During one of the lulls (and there were a few) I struck up a conversation with him, and he spoke with such a thick accent I couldn't help but ask where he was from...

"Campbell" he replied.

So I rephrased the question and discovered that he was originally from Russia. I asked him how he got started surfing and he motioned toward the next peak and indicated that he was bringing his son down to surf and decided to get in himself. We shared some stories about growing up in the deadly arctic waters of Siberia and Alaska, and in general had a pleasant visit between sets, at which time I would sprint over to the peak and pick off a couple. Eventually he called his son to come over and he introduced us. The boy was a typical 12-13 year old grommet, who you couldn't tell from a dozen other kids surfing at the time. I guess what impressed me at the time was the stoke, honest mutual respect, and friendliness that this pair shared. It reminded me of a very special time several years ago in my life. Before my son's High School, girlfriends, drugs, college, and finally work stole our times away.

Last week I was once again out surfing a small day in the same general area, and this gentleman was once again out in the water. We courteously acknowledged each other, and the beautiful day we were enjoying. I looked around and sure enough his son was nearby and from time to time they would wave at one another and smile. After several rides on some very small waves I went in. As I was drying off in the parking lot, the pair were getting ready to leave in the car next to mine. I had another brief conversation with "dad", and said goodbye. As I glanced over to the "son" now sitting in the passenger's seat, he caught my glance and quickly rolled down his window and shot an enthusiastic goodbye and an unpretentious wave and a smile to me as well. We were connected, through his father, we now shared the stoke. As they drove off, I was suddenly overwhelmed by the pain of loneliness that only a parent who has truly shared special times with their child can feel...and can only hope to imitate occasionally when vacations coincide. I wonder if they really know how precious the time that they share now is...I wonder if they realize how fleeting it is...and I envy that Russian kook from Campbell...

da hulk

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