"Cane Garden Bay, Willy, and Dry Spells!"
If you've ever surfed the crystal blue waters of the Carribean, then you can count yourself among the minions of the "faithfully patient!" All but the most perservering surfers can hack it between the fickle and infrequent Atlantic "swells"!
Cane Garden Bay, situated on the island of Tortola in the British West Indies, is just about as close to "paradise" as they come: swimming-pool-like clear water, a calm bay for a safe anchorage, a prevailing off-shore wind and a world-class point that puts valhalla to shame! The island population is friendly and genuinely warm-hearted, with the few local surfers there exhibiting every ounce of the "Aloha" spirit!
One of the more colorful characters at the "Bay" during the early 70's was a young islander named "Willy". When there was surf, he surfed; during the long flat spells, he fished, dove, and provided tourists with fishing and diving expeditions. Besides being a true waterman, making the deep drop way back with a flare for bravado, seemingly daring the treacherously shallow bottom of fire coral, Willy exhibited a tremendous joy for life. His adivce during the long flat spells used to drive the wave-starved, visiting surfers crazy: "Be cool, be happy, and be grateful for the surf!"
Willy's motto certainly reflects this measure of thankfulness mentioned in the this week's Torah portion ( Ki Tavo): "....and thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the Eternal hath given unto thee..." (26-11). The Tifereth Shlomo provides the following example and insight: "Someone who receives a gift from the king isn't so happy about the very value of the gift, as he is about the fact that it came from the king."
You wake up one morning, take a peak over the bow of your boat, and see those dream-like barrels pouring through the point- and after a long dry-spell, you recall Willy's advice!
A shabbat shalom to all!
California Winter Surf Safari!
Surf the famous Hollister Ranch, Rincon, Pitas Point, the Ventura
Overhead......all the world class point breaks with Rabbi Shifren and
friends during Winter break (Dec. 24-Jan 2).
**Surfing lessons available!
**Learn Rabbi Shifren's secrets (of more than 30 years esperience) for
staying in top surfing shape!!
**Accomodations at one of Santa Barbara's finer hotels!
**Great food!
**horseback riding and deep-sea fishing excursions to Channel Islands!
(optional)
**Beginning classes available in Kabbalah and Chassidut by the world-famous
"Surfing Rabbi", Nachum Shifren!!
E-mail us or call for details!!
**************************REGISTRATION LIMITED---DON'T MISS OUT
******************
Rabbi Nachum Shifren "The Surfing Rabbi" Email: rabbisurf@aol.com
Surf & Soul Online: http://www.surfingrabbi.com
P.O. Box 654, Jerusalem, 91006 * Israel Tel: (03) 906-7281 * Fax: (03) 906-7280