The âVIP yard’
After a weekend spent indulging in the rare angle of wave energy produced by the latest cyclone that turned southwest, I busily made the final preparations for Laurent, the yardâs in-house glasser, to get started cutting away the shaft log the following morning. The week prior, the mechanic had helped me remove my transmission, to […]
A Motherâs Work is Never Done
The instant I plucked the wee bird from the soggy sticks, there was no going backâŚI was undeniably the mother of this orphaned baby seabird. I was certain that the little creature must eat fish, but I had no idea how to raise it?! Shortly after the adoption, I rode my bike over to my […]
OLIâs ‘Pearl’
The wind had decreased slightly by morning but it was still gusting over 40 knots. The waves had pulled the dirt away from Swellâs supports in the night, but she remained upright. No boats in the yard had fallen or broken lines in the marina but others whispered of boats that had been beached or […]
Cyclone âOliâ: thanks be to LAND
I couldnât imagine how strong it was going to get as Simona and I finished taping the windows and bringing all the tables and chairs inside. As the gusts soared into the 40s, we gathered the last of the fallen mangos and prepared the boards to put in front of the doors should the waves […]
NISHA Fizzles, OLI bites
âThere is only room on the back lot of the yard,â Karin said. âAnd Nisha has been downgraded. Are you sure you want to haul out now?â âYes.â I replied. âIâm here, so letâs just do it.â The crew hauled Swell and transported her to the back of the yard near the street. âŚNisha passed […]
‘Vacation’ is Over.
Warm evening light danced between the shadows of the overgrown limbs and leaves on the jungle road. I bounced down the mountain in the back of Frederique and Tevaâs truck, after theyâd treated Tina, baby Matai, and a few other ladies to a day of pareo-making and a glimpse of island life in the mountains. […]
Legally Challenged
I popped my head out of the hatch around 10am after another brutal passage east from Bora Bora the prior day. Â Just then, the big gray French police boat pulled into the bay. My heart lurched. I had a letter from the yard stating that Swell was âunsuitable to take to the seaâ until the […]
Donât Kill the Star!
And the next day at ten oâclock sharp, Jimmy circled Swell on his stand-up paddle board. âCome aboard,â I called. âIâm nearly ready!â He descended into Swellâs cabin, eyes wide, taking in all the quotes and photos and details. I showed him my book collection, hoping I could give him one of my favorites, but […]
Where the Wind and The Water are Free: Casual dining with Jimmy and Quino
I woke with a headache but couldn’t help but notice the size of the whitewater on the reef. The north swell was way up and I couldnât rest despite my lack of sleep. I finally thumbed a ride to the reef and surfed away the afternoon and the headache. Upon my return, Jess and Teiva […]
