passion!

Like you've all probably heard and read in FTW's previous blog, the "Passion" has arrived. Funny how a word can conjure up different images, thoughts or emotions in different people. Some people have said(through the grapevine) that the name of one of our new models is "gay" or "girly". Now I'm confident enough to one not have anything against either group or feel threatened by such statements. Can't make everyone happy. But it's my hope that the name "Passion" makes them question themselves and the things that are most important  in life.
What would you go to any extent to do or what would you never give up?  What drives you to self-improve or equally important , improve others?  Who drives  or inspires you and why?  Where does your blood and sweat and effort take you? What do you do when you're not working for money? The answer to all  has something to do with one thing....passion!
Lots of my riding posse know that I surf and that I love it but few truly understand the fire. I often tell them that "surfing will always come before riding" and many look at me puzzled.....why?  Surfing in New England(fall-spring that is...if you don't surf in NE in the winter..you DON"T surf)  is not for the impatient, faint hearted or person looking for the easy way. To purposely head out into the Atlantic in January in 34 degreee water in a big Nor" Easter takes a litttle "thinking outside the box" to say the least. I try to explain to my friends that if there is a swell, you just have to be on it, because good swell is rare here. Imagine living here and it rained ALL THE TIME and the only chance you got to ride Highland was when it stopped...you would do all you could to ride when it stopped, you would HAVE to be on it! 
Surfing is that to me...I've planned my life around surfing for the last 6 years, where everyone that I'm involved with either work or personal is told up front...."If there are waves, I will be on them!" plain and simple. Employers, girlfriends, family and friends all know the deal, as lame as it may sound, it is deeply entrenched in my soul. I travel the world to be in the water and will continue to do so till i'm unable. checking out new cultures, and being in exotic lands is one of the benefits of my quest. Perfection is surfing is unattainable. I can not quantify the days, hours in the water, amazing waves, sunsets/sunrises/skies(this mornings was beyond words), experiences with aquatic animals, life-threatening experiences and the immense feelings of humbleness i feel when in the water. The money spent/lost, feelings hurt and opporrtunites missed(?), relationships lost, sicknesses, parking tickets, sketchy situations or pissed off riding buddies who can't understand why I didn't show up to downhill are far outweighed by the overall elemental experience.  The beauty of riding is weather permitting you can always ride, the trails are pretty constant though you ride them a bit different each time for sure....I
The quest to find new waves or just to find uncrowded waves drives me....often North, where the experience is still special. The sport is growing and it has been recently found that New Hampshire and it's 13.5 miles of coast line is the fastest growing surf state in the nation!(ahhhh) That statistic is misleading as it is different to own a surfboard than to BE a surfer and get out and explore and experience all that the surfing lifestyle offers. OK, that is a snobby statement but the same will happen to biking one day...the popular trails will become overcrowded once people realize what an amazing experience it is but....people who really want it will continue to explore, build new trails and get away from the crowds.
Could go on and on but I won't....just wanted you all to think about the new bike, new name, Sinister Bikes and more importantly.........YOUR PASSIONS!

Comments

[Greg Griffin]

I have been making surfboards for 39 years and have been riding mountain bikes for 15 years. I have passion for both. Take a look on photobucket.com ,enter griffinsurfboard in the search box for 630 pictures of my boards.

[erickeck]

dude, those waves are in NH?

sweet!

[Jamie]

i completely agree with you. i surf all winter long in rhode island and honestly, i would too choose a day of clean head high waves over biking. i havnt surfed in a while, been DHing too much, and really want to now. its good to have 2 sports that you love doing.

also, sweet waves in those pictures

-jamie