Wicked day trying out the SUP boards out on the waves. Its one thing to paddle on FLAT water, its another to be catching waves with the bigger boards and a paddle. 12 minute paddle out to the river mouth and then a solid session on some smallish waves to try and get the hang of it. Easiest way of explaining it is to compare it to standing on a Bosu Fitness Ball for an hour - can you say C-O-R-E training. Awesome day!
We travelled to Brisbane this week and along the way stopped in at the SLEEMAN Sports Complex to see the final construction of the new Olympic BMX Training Facility. The Australians do an Amazing job funding facilities for athletes to succeed. Brendan Arnold (OCA High Performance) would really appreciate the dollars going into the sport of BMX here in Australia. They sure know how to do it up and help athletes succeed. Check out the track video - two separate lines within one track - pro sections on each straight, two different start gates and even manicured grounds with a concrete walking track around the perimeter. Elevator to get up to the third storey Pro Gate. Crazee! 
Australia as a reflection of my year surfing. Shooting for 200+ days of surfing, I think a momento might be acceptable. The possibilities have included.... a nice Tatoo of a wave with Canadian/Australia flags meshed together, a T-shirt was always an option and finally thought I might try a surf competition in hopes of winning a surf trophy. Well, as of Tuesday, I collected my new souviner and was neither of my options..... Instead, I recieved nice new laseration above my right eye which is sure to leave a beautiful souviner scar. The fin of the surfboard cut me above the eyebrow. We surfed some BIG "head high" sets at Snapper Rocks and after a dozen or so rides, I wiped out with a nice bail into the white wash and met my board 'head on". A trip to the hospital provided 7 new stiches and a 48 hour hiatus from all water sports. Moral of the storey.... I remain the only sibling in my family without a tatoo!! Peace, Love & Big Waves
Mt Warning is a mountain close to the house and on the way back from Byron Bay. Kevin has climbed it a bunch of times with the TSS kids. Gorgeous views from the summit looking out to the ocean. After a great day surfing in Byron, we decided to travel to the camp at the base of Mt Warning, crash at the camp, cook some dinner and get up early (4 am) in hopes to summit in time for the sunrise. Well, the first part went well... but today the sunrise would be buried in the clouds. Hannah, Noah & Wendy, after two attempts, have missed the epic views. Maybe next time! Congrats to Bubba for making the peak! Kevin, Wendy, Hannah, Noah, Ryan, Joel, Curtis, Barbara & Rick all made it to the top in record times, proving that the 5 hour time estimate posted was not tooooo accurate (smashed in in 2.5 hours up and down!). Mount Warning was the "plug" of an old dormant volcano that stretched 50-70 kilometres wide. The last 400 metres is a crazee "rock scramble" with 80% grade and chains to help you make your way to the summit. Climbing gear recommended but we "opted out" for the more "extreme" route. Uncle Norm would be pleased to see that "Team Soloman XA Pro's Shoes" were the footwear of choice on the journey and the Simms family will be looking for another family set when we roll into Nanimo. 
