#396: SPOTLIGHT: Susan Estes
#396: Susan Estes
July 30, 2024
A Backbeat of Community
Question for Susan:
Can you recall a specific moment in the last four months that you were in what you would consider to be “nature” and thought or felt for at least a split second that “maybe all is actually right with the world” ?
Susan's Response:
“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” E. Hale
Unlike other “all is right” moments, often when I’m alone in nature, this one happened beside the rapids of the St Lawrence with a motley crew of strangers.
While my husband and I were in Montreal, we walked along the river shore to a spot called “Vague a Guy“ (Guy’s Wave). As we approached we saw people lounging on the grass, some with surfboards. Rapids on a river? A wave with its own name? Surfboards?
Turns out Guy’s Wave is an eternal wave, perfectly situated in the rapids with enough amplitude to allow surfers to get a ‘perpetual’ ride. Not easily though. Riders have to float downstream, get to the spot, quickly reverse, and paddle upstream against the current long enough to get on the wave before the river carries them downstream. The spot is tight. It allows for one, maybe two surfers at a time. The river doesn’t pause.
The take off zone is a rocky shore. One by one waiting surfers put in and take their chance at a ride. No cutting in, no rancor. Some get into the spot, others miss it, are carried downstream, get out and hike back up to wait for another chance.
As we watched, various surfers did the dance: put in, float, reverse, paddle, stand up, poise on the surfboard in the trough of the wave in the middle of the rapids.
Upright forms, hovering, dancing on the surface as the river rushed by on all sides. They balanced until tired or the wave shifted a bit. When one floated down, another floated from upshore.
For a few minutes, a strong surfer took position near the front of the wave. If a paddler looked like they were going to miss their chance, he grabbed their board, halted their movement just long enough for them to get into the pocket.
Risky? Yes. All around were signs. “Strong current, cold water, risk of drowning or danger by debris. “Ville de Montréal doesn’t supervise the area and cannot be held responsible for accidents.”
When five firefighters came down to the rocks I thought they were going to clear the area and we’d miss the action. Instead, they chanted along: “Paddle paddle paddle" and when a surfer stood up, collective cheers went up with them.
It was an unexpected moment of oneness with the natural order: the river that runs from the mountains, rolls over waterfalls, creates points for cities and history to develop, is at ferry crossings and under bridges, tumbles into rapids, into a playground for a group of individuals in an ad hoc community, taking turns at success, helping, cheering and watching out for each other as time flows continuously around them.
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I suspect Susan would love all direct responses from you. I find it incredibly encouraging when I hear from any of you after I share my thoughts. It is powerful for me. I assume many others have a similar experience. So here is Susan's email… pip
Amanda’s thought…
Susan, what a unique and intense event to have witnessed up close! It reminds me of the power of collective effort and how it feels more manageable to adapt to a constantly shifting environment when alongside others. It has me thinking of the potential that lies in embracing the act of leaning on one another, in this case for both physical AND emotional support. Thank you, Susan. And what a great pic of your happy place
- AP
