"Adventure is not outside man; it is within." - David Grayson

So apparently, I was born under a Sagittarius Moon which might explain why I have such a PASSION for travel and adventure. I like to be pushed out of my comfort zone, seeing new places, living new experiences, trying anything once. This section is devoted to all the fun and crazy things I've tried, my lastest thing: river and ocean surfing.

I was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Canada surrounded by water not good for much else other than looking at it. Though the lakeshore can be very pretty to walk along, people around here generally don't go wading into the water unless wearing a full wetsuit and kiteboarding or else kayaking. Even then, a good scrub down is in order and being unlucky enough to swallow a mouthful of that water can bring about mixed results.. It really is a shame to be surrounded by so much water and not really being able to take advantage of it due to health concerns.

Growing up, my family often went camping where we would swim in clean lakes or head down to the beaches along the East Coast to boogie board or jump over waves. We could spend whole days on the beaches, soaking up rays and frolicking in the breaking waves with a warm breeze touseling our hair and the smell of salt permeating the air. Sometimes we would catch glimpses of dolphins and marvel at how gracefully they glide along the water's surface. I've always loved the water and for a little while, fancied becoming a marine biologist to explore the ocean's natural wonders. But despite feeling a natural affinity to the water, given the distance between home and ocean beach, I've never really given a thought to engaging in the reported thrilling, life-changing, highly-addictive sport of surfing...until now.

I love to travel and try to plan at least one trip a year, usually somewhere in Europe where I spent the entire time jumping from place to place trying to soak up as much of the experience as possible. It only recently occured to me that I could actually spend a 'relaxing' trip on a beach anywhere in the world and learn to surf to satisfy a nagging curiosity I've been secretly harbouring. Oh c'mon! You know you'd love to wake up in the morning somewhere hot or tropical, grab your board and go off into the surf, lounging around in the sun when you're not riding the waves...exciting and adrenaline-pumping but laidback as well. Surf culture seems so easy-going and 'in the now' and many surfers could describe their surfing experience as 'spiritual' and 'life changing'. For many, surfing is a way of life. I tend to approach surfing the same way, having respect for the water that can be tranquil and glassy at times, fierce and raging at others and I know that when I start getting into it, it could quickly become an addiction not just because it's fun, but because of the connection that develops between myself and the water. You learn to read the water and rather than 'master' it, learn to move with it knowing it could be disasterous if you are careless. Such was the lesson I learn the very first time I tried river surfing here in Montreal.

Yes, you heard correctly. River surfing. Montreal's quickly becoming the center for North American river surfing thanks to the permanent wave behind Habitat 67 and it was my Father who first told me about it after reading a newspaper article about the growing surf scene in Montreal. I thought it ridiculous at first when learning people are surfing in the rapids of the river but upon doing some research, grew curious. I tracked down a local surf shop offering lessons called 2Imagine, actually owned and operated by the pioneer of Montreal river surfing, Corran Addison, and signed up for the first weekend lesson of the season. It would be an experience I'll never forget and despite the challenges, I am interested in pursuing the activity here in Montreal.

My upcoming San Francisco trip will have me taking a 4 day Billabong surf camp at Linda Mar Beach for my very first taste of ocean surfing. More surfing adventure updates as they come!

• July 30th - August 10th, 2008: San Francisco, California
  This is a SURF VACATION! I signed up for the 4-day Billabong Surf Camp at Linda Mar beach. I'll learn to ride the waves and hopefully cruise the coast looking for waves with my cousin.
• Sometime between October 22nd and December 10th:
  Costa Rica; or another England, Ireland or Scotland trip. I haven't decided yet. Either way, I want to try to surf more at Mal País, Costa Rica or Newquay, Cornwall.