New beginnings are the theme of this issue, and I have certainly had my share of these in the past few months. As a recently graduated arts student, I now find myself in a position of starting again, which is hardly unique to me. The problem? I have no idea what to do next.

And so, last issue, you found me cooking away on a tall ship. This time, I travel West in my search for the next adventure. My current new beginning is just as well thought out as my last. With no plans whatsoever I have loaded up my backpack and skateboard (after all, one needs their mode of transportation) and headed West. The following is my chosen new beginning.

The setting is this: After four days of doing manual labor a fish farm, lifting various heavy objects, and spending more hours then I would like to admit pressure-washing barges, I have earned a three-day weekend.

My chosen activity is as follows.

Picture this, if you will - a Canadian mid-September morning. There I stand on beautiful Chesterman Beach in Tofino, British Columbia. The Sun is just rising (it's 7:45 a.m., sad for a vacation, isn't it?) and mist is rising from the water as gorgeous waves crash down onto white sand. I have just awoken and finished a steaming cup of coffee, feeling nice and warm - well, that is, until I slip on some frost while leaving my front door step.

After skillfully recovering from a Looney Tunes moment, I walk to the beach with an old borrowed wetsuit and my surfboard, noticing my breath freezing as it exits my mouth. (Yes, folks, this is where second thoughts begin to enter my mind). It's true, I have every intention of going in the nine degree (that's Celsius, mind you) water, well, ten degrees if I'm lucky.

Why?!

Well, I think it may be inexplicable, but there is an amazingly exhilarating rush that one gets when the body numb from the cold after an hour and a half in frigid water.

So here I am, being pounded by big Northern Pacific waves. (You see, I am by no stretch of the imagination a good surfer.) And yet after two hours of doing cartwheels in the water, I immerge to my go tell my housemates how I had a great ride - how I even stood up on one wave.

Such a small achievement, a glimmer of hope, makes my morning, and in all probability my plans are to return in the afternoon to see if I can catch one more Canadian wave.

And so yes, in case you're wondering, even as I am writing this article I am questioning my own sanity. What could possibly drive a generally sane individual to spend his vacation plunging his face into freezing cold water - just because of a few waves? Let me tell you, I'm not sure.

I do recommend, however, that you come try it out yourself. Tofino has been quite the town for me to visit, a great Canadian small town with friendly people, and a great place to learn to surf. It has big waves and un-crowded beaches. And it also boasts Surf Sister, the only Canadian all-women's surf school. Tofino has definitely been a great destination on my Canadian exploration.

Well, for now it's back to work - so I can do it again next weekend.

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