ISSUE ONE / SEPTEMBER 2016
tales of the sea
All content written and designed by Claire Leuenberger for Ville Creative September 2016 villecreative.com
This collection of stories is dedicated to those who love the ocean, unplanned travel and for those who are always up for an adventure. Each piece tells a story of how the sand, salt and sea connects to us. Sit down for five and enjoy.
PART 1 You’re everywhere Motion Wave Chaser Sons of the Sea A Coastal Narrative Elusive - Smooth Sailing
PART 2 Design Your Own Life A Coastal Narrative Cont.
YOU’RE EVERYWHERE Travelling or staying at home? Which do you choose? A memoir by Ville Creative on life, social norms and travel.
As a person who loves to travel, I often find myself in different places, amongst different cultures and surrounded by different things a LOT. To me, this is exciting! But for others… it appears that I am ‘un-settled’.Why? I ask. Why is does it seem like unsettlement is a negative thing? After all …
As a young adult, my traveling experience developed into a new sort of travel. I traveled with an open mind and with that sense of ‘knowing’. I didn’t go on trips for the claim or to name drop that I had ‘done’ Europe, instead I would plan to be inspired. I would plan the first three days and from then on… I kept an open mind. I kept the mind set of; ‘lets just see what happens here’. My mother always told me to ‘trust my instincts’ and from here… I followed whichever direction felt right.
After traveling often with my family when I was young, I naturally became comfortable with change, meeting new people and experiencing new things. As soon as a passed my driving test at the age of 16, I began to wrangle my mates and their sleeping bags into my car and endeavored to go on as many road trips as possible… (Still to this day it’s one of my favorite past times most of the roadies heading north up the east coast of Australia).
I consider myself as one of those people who has a ‘good sense of direction’ (my fiancé says this is ‘highly debatable’ topic) although; I am constantly aware and mindful of my position on this earth. After aimlessly wandering through the ancient medinas of Morocco, and meeting villagers in Laos who had never seen white man before; to planning my journey from a nautical chart on a yacht in the Great Barrier Reef… my sense of direction has evolved. My sense of direction has now become truly fearless.
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”.
After growing up and understanding that travel can cleanse you and make you humble and worldly; I realized that I definitely had the ‘travel bug’.
From an outsiders perspective… my lifestyle appears to be erratic and ‘all over the place’ as they say… But for me,
I know where I am at... at every stage. I feel confident in myself. I know that if I walk into a bar in Vietnam and am left standing solo… that’s totally okay. Or if I hop off a plane into a totally different climate or culture elsewhere… I know that I will be able to figure it all out. It took me a while to get to this point of course, but that ‘knowing’ is exciting. That idea of the unpredictable future is fun, but overall, knowing that every minute spent, is part of the bigger picture.
Each day is a new experience. We learn from each moment. So... Why not become a student?
Have decided to go against the grain and never settle. I want my children to learn the value of traveling and experiencing new things; even in a world filled with uncertainty. Life is what you make it… so stop thinking about ‘that dream trip’ or complaining that you ‘don’t have the option’. This is your life… everything that happens within it is determined by your choices. So book that trip! Go get lost! What’s the worst thing that could happen? If it’s bad, just go home! CL. 2015
“So book that trip! Go get lost! What’s the worst thing that could happen? If it’s bad, just go home!”
M
Motion
Some people like to play golf.
Others enjoy cups of tea.
Some believe in God.
And some people enjoy just being at one with the ocean whilst a 12ft giant moves franticly towards them projecting them like a rocket in fast forward motion. Each to their own...
Pete Tomlinson
WAVE CHASER At 5am in the middle of winter, a group of South Australian surfers prepare the boat, strap their boards to the roof and set off on a 2 hour punt towards the dark mysterious horizon. The nervous, quiet energy amongst them has a particular aura about it that you just can’t describe. It’s a mixture of fear, excitement and the driven anticipation of a pack of adrenaline junkies. Some of these guys were told how to get there by their fathers. Others just ‘picked it up along the way’. This secret spot fires an addiction to go bigger, go harder and explore the unknown more often. The brutality of mother nature reigns true here. You can't escape it. Not only do their wives and mothers pack their lunches with fruit cake and a ‘be safe’ note, but they have an anxious tone in their voices as they say goodbye the night before. This (un-named) coastline is home to a breeding zone for the Great White Sharks. It’s the only place in Australia where you can cage dive with them and watch 25ft giants attack tourists, without a scratch. Seems highly un-natural in the back yard of many surfers. The coastal culture here is interesting. You ask the surfers how they feel about the Great Whites and it raises many Opinionated reactions (naturally). You can ask the wives and girlfriends how they feel and they’ll tell you the same thing. The swimmers, the divers, fishermen and ocean conservationists all have their own views on the topic; but the one thing that is fascinates is that these surfers continue to sit in the ocean, patiently waiting for that dream wave regardless.
With what appears to be - not a care in the world, the MOTION is what drives them. That feeling they get when they drift forwards freely with mother nature driving the wheel. It's that completely vulnerable position that makes them feel alive. It’s magnificent! A pure love for the ocean. A religion. A connection with the water. The instant forms that arrives as each wave peaks, then breaks, crashes, then falls, never to be repeated again. Some surfers stick to small friendly beach breaks. These guys take it to a new level. They surf like real 'men'. As tough as nails but with hearts of gold. CL. August 2016
SONS OF THE SEA a few words with a coupla surfing legends
What makes surfing legends
Michael Gravelle is the son of
Michael Gravelle and Cole
Paul Gravelle owner of 'Gravelle
Blesing get up in the morning?
Surfboards'. Founded in the 70's Gravelle prides himself
It goes a little something like
on custom made, hand shaped
this....
boards to suit each rider. This unique man made artform is
Coffee, Eat, Surf, Froth, Repeat.
being passed down to the next generation living through the ways of Micky G who drifts in and out of Penong South Australia... and.... all he wants to do... is SURF. Not a bad 'want' for a young person living in a world filled with consumerism, iphones and snapchat. Cole Blesing on the other hand reckons that the only way to understand the ins an outs of the
talk of the intimidation and the isolation. Some talk of the vibe out in the water. But these guys are living proof their not all like that. When you prepare for a swell on the west coast, the invitation is only extended so a select few. With surf reports, wind and weather patterns, sent via text to the 'locals
surfing game on the west coast, is to become a surfer and get amongst it ( but don't tell your friends on the east coast where you are ) People like him don't wait for anyone. They get up and go. It's his religion. Some people tell tall stories about the surfing culture on the west coast. They
"Yeah, not bad"
Surfing is a way of life,a commitment and passion that gives the best reward in so many ways" "
nly', it pays to check, check and double
heck the conditions before you hit the road. could be two hours or a whole days drive
hrough the desert just to find that perfect
pot, with no guarentee's or previews before
ou get there.
here are no surf cams, photos, sign posts
r public reports. If you don't know where
ou're going, don't bother.
Water, beer and your dog are a must; everything else after that can stay at home (including your girlfriends - unless they are addicted to the ocean, don't mind flys, dust and scaling the cliff line, just like you.) The humble nature of these surfers is striking. It's calming, modest and legit. You know they're safe based on their experience and mateship.
SONS OF THE SEA a few words with a coupla surfing legends
We are all about protecting our beautiful coastline.
These days surfing is a sport that can be taken up by anyone, but only a 'certain type of person' can get hooked. If you're not planning the next trip, you're checking the swell online. If you're not mind surfing the shore break, you're packing up your bag for a trip where it's pumping. This endless focus and undivided addiction is inspiring. It's contageous. It's a religion. And for Mick and Cole, It's like the air we breathe
cheap thrills & endless adventure
seadog scallywags
THAT ENDLESS BLUE HORIZON, CONSTANT FLOW, WARM SUN ON YOUR BACK. TAKE IT ALL IN. {OCEAN}
A COASTAL NARRATIVE
; --
;
;
;
Reflect.
That moment when you realise that the beach is entirely yours. Take a walk, run along the shore, skinny dip, take your time. Relax.
feel
alive
There is something exciting about spending time at the beach in winter. The feeling of the sand between your toes, the cold wind on your skin and the breathless gasp you take when you dip under the waters surface.
Icey Salty Calm
"I'll never forget this day"
ELUSIVE "Adjective - difficult to find, catch, or achieve. Hard to catch/find, difficult to track down; evasive, slippery, informal, always on the move."
"success will become ever more elusive"
SMOOTH SAILING One Boat, One Direction. Island Adventure, 40ft Monohull racing yacht ‘Elusive’ Gold Coast to Airlie Beach Yacht Delivery. 2015
Drifting slowly away from land, on a 40ft monohull yacht, with three friends, a broken anchor, and a one-way ticket… is one of those monumental experiences that urges a sense of excitement, nomadic fearlessness and wanderlust.
The wind, the swell, the salty air and rolling motion that lets your stomach know you are in a location that is out of your comfort zone. The view of the rugged coastline sits firmly to our port side and then slowly slips away. So close, yet so far. Out of reach, leaving us feeling so very vulnerable.
The endeavor commences as we head north in the waters of southeast As we sail through the day and night, Queensland, just the four of us… island hopping, exploring and basking Skipper, First Mate, Crewman and in the sun; Steward. The salty air, sunshine and endless whale count begins. We set sail, heading due north with no set destination. The idea of aligning all things Salt Living with Adventure, Mind, Body and Travel evokes a great sense of freedom! When one has too much time on their hands, one can often be reminded of a feeling of inner consciousness and consideration. In a very light-hearted way, this trip gave all of us that much needed ‘time to consider’. The ocean is so utterly omnipresent; it changes, it turns, moves and alters.
The thick syrup of blue and black satin shapes is endless in its flow; connecting us by rocking slowly back and forth.
The idea of being lost at sea doesn’t seem so bad when you've got good company. The elements of fresh air, salt and an un-planned itinerary allow the crew to become your family, and the ocean our playground. The endless conversation, banter and teamwork become our new ‘nomadic’ way of life. This gypsy ideal of free spiritedness becomes a reality as we sail in style further away from all things familiar. Essentially this trip has changed my view of the ocean. It certainly is a big wide space out there. Once you become connected, there is nothing stopping what will be next. Mother nature and the elements of the weather can change at any moment.
There sure is something eerie about being exposed to the open ocean in complete isolation. Each moment feels like years when you don't touch land for more than 4 days. The essence of utter seclusiveness and disconnect from the real world grows near. This place is our new home and we love it! It's salty, exhausting but worth every minute. Its nice to be home. Ahh feeling of home, that feeling of comfort, that feeling of normality. CL Published Saltliving.com.au 2016
PART 2
"DESIGN YOUR OWN LIFE"
A wise lady once told me..
Make your own plans. Be independant. Balance is key. But most importantly... Love yourself till you're sick!
Why let all the boys have all the fun?
tales of the sea