12/18/2020
Ritual
Last Sunday (12/13) I witnessed a community come together for a memorial paddle out.
Let me first say, I’m fascinated by Santa Cruz’s surfing community - surfing is something everybody does in Santa Cruz: Men, women, young, old. If you stand by the steps to the beach on a good surfing day, you will see every kind of person walking, in a wetsuit, generally barefoot, carrying a board, towards the waves. This might be time to mention that water is COLD.
A prominent member of the Santa Cruz community had recently passed, and despite the less than ideal conditions, at least 100 surfers came out to show their respects. I honestly can’t remember the last time I saw a community cone together like this. Growing up in New York, it was exactly what I imagined small town community to be like, I just never pictured a small town with surfing.
Disclosure: Because it was outside, windy, and raining a bit, most people felt it was safe. Most people who were witnessing the ritual, but not partaking wore face coverings. The participants (for obvious reasons) did not. I wore a face covering.
Santa Cruz : Leica M10-R : Leica 40mm Summicron : 2020
@ Santa Cruz, California
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