When I was 20 years old, I graduated from the Marine Diving Technologies program at SBCC, and right after was on a plane headed for Tonga, for what was to be 6 months of sailing through the southern South Pacific. I shaped myself a 6-1 fish hybrid and a 7-0 Pintail for the trip and scored some unforgettable sessions. When I arrived in Tonga, I got working passage to Fiji aboard a 40ft sailboat, and later in Samoa on a 35' Warram Catamaran. For the remaining 4 months I sailed on the Kalamari with Ben and Skipper Mark, two Kiwi surfers my age. We spent our time sailing, fishing, and looking for surf. I had an incredible and humbling journey with them as we sailed from Samoa to Fiji and then all the way down to New Zealand. In South Pacific cultures, the hook is for good luck. I got my love for Mauri art on this trip and is why it's embedded in my logo. This really was the first time I started taking pictures, so please excuse the quality! All I had was a $20 disposable water camera and later an old-school steel Minolta 35mm camera I picked up in Viti Levu. Ever thought about sailing the South Pacific? GO, just do it! Everything will fall into place with a positive and respectful attitude. Oh, and don't forget to be safe and respectful of the Tongaloa!
AuthorJason Kline / Board Builder / Surfer / Stoke Maker Archives
September 2015
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