I recently was in a situation where surrounded by a group of not so like minded people, i was asked the age old question…”so Ben what do you do”?
My instant answer was “I’m a father and a surfer”.
A small part of my personality is that of an agitator, i do at times like to get a rise out of people when given half a chance, hence my answer (which was in fact the truth, just not the answer i knew they were expecting).
And so i was asked again “what was it that i did”? So my next answer was that i’m a “lifestyle commando”(i penned this term when reflecting on Mick Mackie), and that my purpose was to give happiness. I was questioned as to weather i was some sort of guru? A yoga teacher? a life coach? A cult leader perhaps? No you mother fuckers i work in a surf shop, everyday i pass on happiness for a small fee.
In essence that’s what i believe i do, it’s my chosen path, i have a 4 year environmental science degree majoring in coastal management that i sort gainful employment of for 1 day, before heading back to fixing dings and shaping the odd surfboard, just to be around the hallowed materials, foam and fibreglass. I love these things it verges on obsession that has ruled every facet of my life since i first rode a wave, first picked up a surfing magazine and first walked into Storm and Jay Carters famous Bronte Surf Shop. My fate was sealed and every part of my life has been virtually ruled by it, the way i speak, how much i sleep, where i live but most importantly how i get by.
It ain’t going away either so as my insatiable appetite for spreading happiness (for a small fee) refuses to subside i will continue to bring you the finest pieces i can find, some times i’m slow at returning emails or don’t pick up the phone for a few days, but by fuck my heart is in it.
ben
By the way i’m still getting the hang of this new site so i stuffed up the pics on the last post, hopefully now i got it sussed.
Below are some photo’s of fine pieces shaped by Mani of Mandala Surfboards in San Diego heading towards Six Ounce as we speak, first batch is only a handful of weeks away , more photo’s to come.
Tags: Mandala