It’s All About Perspective People

Last weekend I had a great lesson on how I view the world and how I react to it.

I decided to go back to my new stomping grounds, Playa Grande, again. As I was packing up I laid my only nice surf board up against the wall. I decided to move my mountain bike to get something and forgot I was wearing a backpack. In the process of turning around I swing my bag into the board and knock it on the concrete. A true Patrick moment for those of you who know how clumsy I am.

I picked up my board freaking. I looked it up and down and to my surprise nothing major happened. So with a gasp of relief I grabbed my things and made my way down to the boat taxi. It was about a 20 minute walk to the boat taxi.

It was a beautiful day out on Sat. Sunny and 85 degrees. I had my whole day planned out. I was going to get to Playa Grande by about 2pm. Drop my things off at my new crashing spot. Have about 3 solid hours of surf. It was my day and boy was I gonna have fun.

As I was getting on the boat I noticed an enormous crack in the rail of my board. Man was I pissed. I was half hour into my trip and there was no turning back. Once across the river I would have about a 45 minute walk. I was fuming. I knew I had to get it fixed. And I knew a crack of this size could take most of the day. I was so pissed my day, may day people was ruined. I was going round and round in my head about what an idiot I was for leaning it against the wall, and if I had done this or that. I was 20 minutes into my walk when I realized what I was doing.

I had a choice. Stay pissed or accept the situation for what it is and relax by having faith things are gonna workout and enjoy the beautiful beach and sun. So I flipped my outlook on the situation. I said to myself I have all of Sunday to surf and I would get it fixed when I got there. Hell who knows I may meet some nice people at the surf shop.

So I got to Playa Grande safe and sound. Dropped off my gear and headed to the local surf shop. I met the owner Marcelo. Great guy. Probably in his 30’s from Uruguay. The outlook appeared to be grim from the look he gave me after seeing the crack. He told me to give him a few minutes while he tried to repair it. As I waited I decided to sit out on the stoop with his father who was visiting.

His father couldn’t speak a lick of English. But we had a pleasant conversation talking about futbol. I knew a few international Uruguayan soccer players that helped to break the ice. About 10 minutes later Marcelo returned with my board and it looked excellent. You could hardly tell that it had a crack in it. I gave him 10 dollars and I was off to surf with about 3 hours of sun left.

Man, what a great lesson. I was so pissed that my day was ruined and truly acting like a punk about the situation. When I decided to let go and accept the situation it was amazing how the day completely flipped. I met some nice people and new connections at a local surf shop at one of the greatest places to surf in the area.

No telling when another situation like that arises. But have faith that things are the way they for a reason. Someone is always watching out for all of us.

Below are some videos and pictures from that weekend.

TAMARINDO BEACH

WALK TO RIP JACK’S

INSIDE RIP JACKS

CHILLIN IN THE HAMMOCK IN RIP’S READING THE BIG BOOK

WALK FROM RIP’S TO THE BEACH