Surf: a metaphor for....?

Today marks the end of an our vacation to the west coast. Claire and I have been to Mayne Island, Tofino, Victoria, and back to Mayne before flying home.

Tofino is one of my favourite places in canada. Apparently I am not alone on this one - as a home for the priveleged few and destination for almost everyone else, there is a magnetic draw to this place on the west coast's furthest brink.

The biggest draw for many in tofino is a probablly the best surfing in canada. For most, this is a delicate struggle pitting human determination against a relentless (freezing cold) natural force that just dosent want you in it. The gifted few who can master this force are inspiring, and so follows the allure of the surf lifestyle.

My surf talents fall into the former category.

But for me the surf is inspiring and theraputic. Every trip out is a struggle, physically exhausting and mentally intimidating. After lots of hard work and a little luck, I am out beyond the breaks - this is the best place, sitting and resting among the swells, wating for the early breakers. Eventually you need to catch a break and surf it, and herein lies my dilemma: to pick the perfect wave that will maximize one's chances of getting up, any error in judgement resulting in a rude, cold awakening as all my efforts are washed away...

For me this balance between work, reward, and the time spent in between draws parallels to many things. In the context of the current economy, it can apply to investing - With limited resources, when and how do you jump in to that perfect wave? Will economic recovery happen when a consensus sees the perfect wave?

One thing is certain, when you finally catch the right one, it makes everything before it a faint memory...