January 18, 2015: Havin' a Romp On The Beach

There's nothing like following up an active, fun day of surfing with a slightly mellower day of cozying up to a tasty lunch and then chilling on the beaches of Tofino!

It was a typical, soggy and cool January day in Tofino but we made the best of it with delicious lunch at a wonderful new restaurant, Wolf In The Fog. It was very affordable and deeelicious! Not only was the food good but locally sourced; I love the fact the creator's of the restaurant are inspired by their "...love of fishing and foraging in our backyard – the beautiful oceans, shorelines and forests of Tofino, British Columbia". Wonderful!

With our bellies full and feeling very satisfied we headed to the beach to play in the drizzle alongside the surf. Oh and there's something to be said about having a dog in your company...I think I can safely say the playfulness of a dog, in this case Holly's friend's dog Iggy, certainly helps brighten a drizzly, gray day :)

January 17, 2015: Gettin' Stoked In Tofino :)

How lucky for me that, at the last minute, my good friend Holly invited me to join her and her friends from Nanaimo to go to Tofino this weekend! I immediately jumped at the opportunity especially because the plan was to go surfing, which I am trying to practice more and more, despite how difficult it is and the fact I have to go at it a little gingerly given my history of kneecap dislocation (bleh!). I know I won't ever be an amazing surfer but for me it's about getting in the water to learn more about the waves and the ocean, move my body (paddle, paddle, paddle!), play with friends...and even, occasionally, catching a wave!

We had an awesome time surfing much of Saturday only quitting when some of us started to feel the cold. Lucky for me I had bought a nice, cozy wet suit and booties last year and I was so snug and warm I could've stayed in the water all day! Of course, I also had to stop because you can only paddle and crash around in the waves for so long before you start to feel the exhaustion set in. As well, when I was at a surf camp in Colombia in December I'd tweaked my shoulder and it was still not 100% so I decided it would be wise to quite before I re-injured it.

After our fun surf session I was exhausted but the post-surf exhaustion is one of the best feelings ever...especially if it's followed by a delicious lunch at Tacofino :)

My surfing buddies for the weekend

Getting ready to hit the water...stretching and practicing pop ups is important!

Playing in the wash

View from a surfboard :)

Catching some waves!

Wash rolling in

Popping up

February 16, 2014: Photography On The Edge

365 Project, Day 169

Here is my day 169 submission to my 365Project:

Tofino was mostly wet and rainy today but just before the sun set the skies opened up and we had the most gorgeous evening light. Everybody emerged from where they were hiding for the day and filed on to the beach to take in the moment. Included in this group were many photographers taking full advantage of the gorgeous and unexpected 'golden hour' that unfolded. Spectacular!

This one hearty photographer, despite the slippery rocks and the pounding surf, got himself out to this rocky point to photograph the sea in all it's wildness in the golden light. Here we have a true west coast moment...and undoubtedly a true west-coaster braving the elements to get the shot!

Despite the rain we still donned our full rain gear to go beach-combing and enjoy the beach

Rain droplets hitting a wee tidal pool

Then the clouds opened up and it was like heaven shining down on us

This crazy guy decided to tear most of his clothes off and jump in the sea...another hearty westcoast soul in action :)

Views from Cox Bay Beach with Lennard Island Lighthouse in the background

It was indeed very rough and stormy out there today!