Oof! August hit like a pound of bricks. This was definitely the busiest month in Conatus history. We have had consistently small, fun, and surfable waves. I've been very impressed with the levels that students are reaching this summer. Lots of people catching green water and styling down the line. Others getting over difficulties with the pop. Some buying their own equipment and making the full commitment to a life filled with aquatic joy. I have even managed to get some great video clips of students doing their thing and will have an edit out by the end of the summer. Which brings me to a topic of great importance: fall is almost here!
What does this mean? First of all this means NO MORE LIFEGUARDS, which means that WE CAN SURF ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME AFTER LABOR DAY in Long Beach or Rockaway. Those that have been surfing the crowded "yellow flag" beaches with me this summer should have great cause to rejoice. It also usually means more favorable winds and waves. We are, however, set to have a slow hurricane season this year, so let's keep our expectations low. Regardless of what the swells bring, I offer the same lessons and packages throughout the fall (Sept-Dec). Surfing is not over just because summer is! Do not fear for winter, as I have packaged the Costa Rica camps for January and March and will post about that in a few days. I also have arranged a special weekend excursion to Montauk in September. This brings me to some really exciting news:
CSC is now working with Chris Blotiau, an expert surf instructor and sailor, in Montauk. I met Chris at my friends, Martine and Juan's, dj night at Ruschmeyers in the early summer. We did the whole "what is that you do?" spiel and it turned out that we are both surf instructors. When I told him about the Conatus Method he immediately complimented me and said that that's exactly how surfing ought to be taught, and asked me how he could be a part of the program. I love that kind of respect, inspiration, and initiative. Here's Chris' bio in his own words:
I was born on Long Island and introduced to the ocean by my father through sailing. My first diaper changing table was the trampoline of a Hobie 16. My father’s passion for sailing and the ocean was quite obvious and incredibly contagious. The first 12 years of my life, our shared passion and motivations were completely centered around sailing and being near the sea. Despite many struggles with living situations and finances, my father always found a place to fit passion in his life and it made him the greatest father and influence of my life. Passion for the ocean led me to discover surfing on my own and when I was 11 years old I started saving up my pennies for my first surfboard. Fast forward one year and I had saved $50, actually $42. My parents lent me the extra 8 bucks so that I could buy my first used surfboard from the Lido Beach Surf Shop (no longer there), a 6’2” Hotline, glassed on thruster setup. I didn’t have anyone in my life who encouraged me to try surfing, therefore I was left to learn to surf on my own. Desire and determination are two excellent characteristics to have as a beginner in anything and I was excited to begin the journey. Learning was a long road, but I eventually started making discoveries in surfing regarding form, technique, and timing. Love for riding waves leads a surfer to travel and even if it was only a short train ride to Montauk, travelling to surf introduced a new level of passion for me. I’ve fallen in love with many places, but Montauk called me and after many years of visiting, I finally made it my new home where I currently reside, surf, and design clothing for my lifestyle brand, Live in Color.
Chris has the style and the chops.
So how does a lesson with Chris work? It's the same as a lesson with me except it's in Montauk and that means you may be able to get through a 3 or 5 lesson package in a week or even a few days time. The pricing on all lessons and packages are the same and payment goes through me. You do not pay Chris in cash. We are currently working on getting card readers but those charge a lot so for now it's just the "old school" way. Chris and I are really into working with people for the long term and so we'll be putting our heads together to think of more comprehensive long term packages/tuitions. If you're interested in lesson with Chris simply say so when you email or use the submission form and we'll get you set up!
I also want to stress that I have surfed with Chris and watched him teach and he is the real deal. I do not use my judgment lightly nor would I trust anyone who I do not feel is 110% capable of treating students and the ocean with the same care and respect that I do. So if you're planning a surf trip out there, he is your man.
If my endorsement isn't enough, here's Chris with the king.