We all know that surfing and enjoying the ocean swells is one of the most fulfilling and relaxing of life's experiences. A form of escapism if you may, it sounds cliche I know but while we are riding that wave nothing else seems to matter and all of life's problems seem to magically fade into nothingness as we are caught up solely in the moment. No more have we ever need a positive form of escape than during the past year couple of years that have been plagued by the Corona Virus.

With countless illness and unfortunate lives lost around the world, strict lock-downs and border closures, to say that this period was challenging is a massive understatement in itself. Across the entire planet we are all facing unprecedented challenges never seen in our lifetimes. During these trying times I am eternally grateful to call Australia home.

As a nation Australia has weathered the Covid maelstrom better than most largely thanks to our geographic isolation as an island smack bang in the middle of the Pacific ocean and also as a result of strict border controls and regulations from our Government. While life has been far from perfect especially with the recent outbreaks, lock-downs and social unrest attributed to the Delta variant I am still highly thankful that we have mostly been able to dodge the Covid bullet down-under. It still does not mean the situation here has been a complete bed of roses as the pandemic and long lock-downs has created numerous challenges to our mental health and physical well being as we all fight our own battles and personal demons day to day.

From a personal perspective the past 18 months have been some of the most challenging of my life from having high risk family members directly impacted by the virus (thankfully they are now safe and healthy), long multiple lock-downs and the added stress uncertain job security pressuring me to working seven days a week in an attempt to stabilize the financial boat... all of these pressures were starting to take a toll on my health and well being. When 2021 finally came around I found myself completely burnt out and borderline depressed. For my own personal well being I couldn't carry on like this. Something needed to change and needed to change fast. My soul needed rest and it was time to regain my happiness.

One thing that has always been a constant in my life is the sea. Mother nature’s soothing ocean vibes have always been a positive influence in my life and have been there for me when I have needed them most .Yet unfortunately during this challenging period it was one key area that had been distinctly lacking in my life. I decided that a drastic change was needed. It was well and truly time to bite the bullet so I aptly resigned from my jobs and made the the pilgrimage to relocate to South Coast of NSW, one of the most wave rich locations in Australia in an attempt to spend much more time in the salt by documenting the endless winter swells with my photography.

It has only been four to five months since I made the move but having locked into numerous perfect swells at world class locations it is panning out to be one of the best decisions of my life which is also directly reflected in the capturing of some of the best images of my life to date. You can see some of the fruits on my labour here. Being located far from city life I am strongly relishing the calm, friendly, relaxed and slower vibe here. Already I am seeing massive positive impacts on my mental health where I can focus 100% on the pursuit of happiness.

How feasible this lifestyle will be in the long term... who knows? But for now I know that I am the happiest I have been in years and my good old friend the ocean is largely responsible for that. It is good to have you back my friend.