We cannot live without the healthy water on our planet and sharks are an important regulator of the oceans. We need to stop the industry that is killing them. Let’s give the “men in grey suits” (as some surfers call them) some respect and let them be. Please watch this awesome documentary on why we need to stop the fear and finning of sharks. Here it is, for free, live streaming: SHARKWATER DOCUMENTARY please pass it along and help save our oceans.

It really is this easy & you’ll love it. Come try!

I just came in off the water with a feeling of complete bliss. After an hour and a half lesson on the water and a twenty minute yoga break on a secluded beach I feel amazing. I may be especially happy today because I finally got to share paddleboarding with my mom and she is so excited. Although it didn’t take long to convince her to come out, it didn’t come without a little apprehension. As with most people I’m sharing the sport with, she was a little concerned about the water quality. I had the same concerns but doing research I found out that Ontario has some of the worlds highest standards on water quality and we’re paddling around Key-Balmy beach, a Blue Flag beach. Blue Flags are awarded to beaches and marinas that meet strict criteria for water quality, environmental education, environmental management, and safety and services. Blue Flags are flying at 16 beaches and 3 marinas in Canada. For more info click here.
While paddling with my mom, I also shared this study by the scientist Masaru Emoto. Emoto studies the effect of positive and negative energy projected at water and how it effects the formation of crystals from beautiful symmetrical formations when there is good energy to jagged unsymmetrical chrystals when the energy is negative. With the love of SUP’ing I’ve discovered a new grounded position on how I feel about water. Choosing to project good vibes towards water since it is in us and all around us, we drink the water and now I’m playing in the water and so is my mom. I’m stoked to be paddling with her this summer, adventuring and sharing the blissed out feeling that comes after a paddlle and yoga session.

It’s been hard to think of how to go about summing up 6 months in Ecuador. I’m grateful for having avoided the winter and Canoa’s weather was truly an endless summer. Jen and I taught lots of SUP classes (on our inflatable ISUP boards from C4 Waterman) and Yoga classes but I feel we also learned so much from the people, the community, and the water that the trip was much more about us learning than teaching. I realized how little we actually need to be happy and how to conserve resources. We also learned to smile, laugh, and share more. Life at the beach, simply and beautifully crafted each day by the sun, waves, and some new best friends. It was more than I could have ever asked for and I do long to be back there. But for now, I’m excited we’re home too! However, Toronto requires a hustle and sometimes I feel a little like I have lost mine. That’s when I tell myself that I am lucky to be able push forth SUP’n, that I truly believe that everyone should try it and THEY WILL LOVE IT. SUP’n is great for so many reasons including your health, mind, and is super FUN! So I am privileged and appreciative to be able to promote such an awesome sport here in my favorite city in the world! How are you feeling about summer being here? Have you tried to SUP yet? If not, don’t sell your summer short. Lets play in the beaches!

I just love being in Canoa on my favorite holiday of the year. Lots of dancing and fires in the streets and the bonfire here at the Coconut hotel lasted for more then 24 hours. New Years Day was a bit busier then I had wanted (having not slept much) but Jen and I have developed a new necessary Spanglish (that mostly involves a heightened sense of intuition) and made it through the most hectic time. We are wrapping up our painting projects this week and are giving back the responsibility to the rightful owners of the place in a couple days. We’re excited to be free to regroup our priorities of yoga, surfing, SUP, and actual Spanish lessons. I’ve also decided to help start a tourist office in town at La Posada De Daniel. If your around and checking our blog- stop by. We are renting bikes (that even have brakes!), surf and SUP boards, organizing surf and travel trips & have wifi, a pool, restaurant, and bar. Yoga and Spanish lessons are on site plus lots of good vibes and fun-to-do info. I’m off to go work on the new website today and then more surfing… mmm.. yo gracias de la bueno vida en Ecuador.