Yeah, I tend to agree that growing older and more aware of one’s mortality makes decision-making a little more deliberate in the sports we love–where there is no safety net, no lifeguard on duty, no glory for a broken leg or worse–regardless of if you have a dependent or not.

But can that hesitation in the heat of the moment–when you’re scratching into a double overhead bomb or throwing your juevos over some crazy cliff on skis–that tiny bit of mental uncertainty that causes a slight lapse in reaction time–work against you?

I guess it’s all about mind control.

Anyway, the next weekend I got some amazing waves when the surf mellowed out a little. “Surfing is a lifelong pursuit,” is a great mantra that I’ll continue to live by in the future.

The situation you found yourself in while scouting the sketchy surf conditions is one that is universally testing. I don’t have any children, but I always think of my loving family and friends while deciding whether or not to drop into a risky environment.

While the rewards for putting yourself out there on an epic day often times result in a stoke you may have for the rest of your life, you still need to make sure that you will live in order to reflect on the stoke.

When I’m balancing the decision of whether or not to ski avy-proned backcountry terrain, I let the words my brother taught me run through my head.

“Powder is a life long pursuit.”

Usually my bro is with me so our decision making is twice as safe as it is when he’s not around. After choosing to be safe, we’ll share a little humble pie by vowing not to blame each other for backing out, then hoot’n holler down a safer line and eventually make our way to a cold beer where we raise a glass and cheers to the stoke we can reflect on.

As the infamous and living Ed Viesturs puts it “Getting to the top is optional, getting down is mandatory.”

Here’s to staying safe Rick!

Cheers,

~Brett

You still rock my man!!! You’re story made me laugh out loud with empathy. I too, find that having to deal with our grown up lives, gets in the way of our continued effort to live as an immortal teen. But, you did the right thing, enjoyed it, AND lived to tell about it.

There is always more surf to conquer and more giggles to gather from your toddler.

Be well,
Stacy