Captain:   Frank Albert Westgate (Aust)

Surfers:   Ben Bourgeois
                Cheyne Magnusson
                Josh Hoyer
                Dane Reynolds
                Mark Oblow
                Natas Kaupas

Location: Caribbean

DAY 1
This morning we arrived at the reef and only a few locals were out there enjoying the sparkly right walls. Our group of talent was out there sparring within minutes, and before too long, the local crew started showing up one by one. Many sat intently on the cliff, studying the moves closely. As they waxed up, most came over to where we were shooting, with the typical local greeting….a "pound" of fists, usually accompanied by a one-word expression like "respect" or "alright".

Leaning back against a palm tree he took a long slow drag off his hand-rolled cigarette. "Smoky" brushed the thick mat of dreads out of his face and looked up in time to see Dane Reynolds slice into a long carve off the top, hold his speed into the next bottom turn, and smash it even harder on his next turn. Spray was still falling and he shook his head. "Mon, you Quiksilver buoys got de feelin' of holdin' dat rail, mon.". Hoyer was on the next wave, pumped it a few times, and punted a smooth front side grab. "'An can fly too. Mon, you guys gonna leave and all dees buoys gwan be surfin en de next level mon. I'm tellin' you, dread, you guys is inspirin' us all!". Benny B. came flying down the line on a deep one, and stitched together a nice pattern of snaps and carves, utilizing the wave perfectly all the way to the inside shore break. The house across the street full of crew on the patio lit up with hoots and applause. Ben has been here many times and his act is a local favorite from way back. Then young Cheyne floated, snapped, and ended the wave with a critical lipslide. More noise from across the bay. It is impressive the depth of the local surf scene here, and how the locals here have taken us in with open arms. From older guys on single fins, to grommets on boards broken and put back together several times, it is obvious that surfing here is an integral part of the fabric of this seaside community.

DAY 2
Ah!… to arise for another stellar day on the Crossing. Beautiful blue skies, crazy blue water, and smiling faces emerging from their quarters one by one. Mick had breakfast laid out: homemade granola, fresh baked bread, and omelets and bacon for those inclined. We wiped the sleep from the eyes, got caffeine and food in us and we were off.

Yesterday was good and the locals assured us today would be better, so we were amped. As we pulled up to the break we were not disappointed. It was going off! A little overhead, glassy, and just a few guys out. The right-hand reef has several sections per wave, and if timed right, offers a skilled performer ample opportunity to spill all his tricks out from his bag on one wave. The water colour here must be seen to be believed. The just risen sun from out the back illuminated turquoise blue early morning walls. It wasn't long before the next thing lit up were the trails from the slices and dices of the boys - implosions of water from all out rail carves and tail out the back hell blasts. It was definitely on. Dane Reynolds has been the standout every session and is showing why he is being touted as one of the future greats of the sport of surfing. His act is based on serious power gouges and utilizing the wave and giving it exactly what it calls for. The exciting thing is when the wave ramps out and calls for a big boost. His aerial act is as tight as his carves, and as we all know, that is the magic combination for surfing success in 2003.

Style, rail, and tech….put it together and that is the first part of the equation. If you also are motivated and truly love surfing and are always amped to do it, you have the whole package. It has been a pleasure to work with him, as not only does he produced in all conditions, as a human he is a pleasure to be around. He is humble, well-spoken and has a classic sense of humor. It is obvious he has a bright future, and will take his surfing to the top of the game. The locals have been full of questions for Dane and all of us. Where were we before here? Where will we be going? When is Kelly coming back? Do we have any shorts or stickers? Do we have any boards to sell?The session drew to a close and it was time to return to the boat. As we pulled up a scarlet sunset encompassed the scene. This was beyond any airbrush painting or fantasy scene. This was the real deal, and in our minds could only be put together by a higher power. That same higher power guiding us on this journey that just gets better every day. It was the perfect time for a quiet moment to reflect on how lucky we are and to once again give thanks.