by Steve Sakiyama –
Several years ago, a person who shall remain nameless but whose name starts with “Doctor” told me I needed exercise. He was right. At that time, my exercise routine involved chasing down passing food trucks once a week. Perhaps three times a week would help, I wondered.
I thought I would follow the advice of my doctor and try surfing while in Tofino on vacation (until then, the only wave I was familiar with was the microwave). Since I like the look of a wetsuit, why not give it a shot? Little did I realize that putting on a wetsuit is an exhausting process punctuated with muffled grunts, small breaks for oxygen, and comments like: “Help! My legs are in the sleeves.” By the time I suited up, the sweat was pouring down my brow and I needed a nap. On the upside, the tight fit (did I say tight?) made me look 20 years younger, although with gloves and booties I looked like a cross between a grinning Smurf and an overcooked bratwurst.
After some basic surfing lessons, I picked up my board and danced over the sandy expanse to the beckoning ocean. Yes! Bring it on! Unfortunately, my vision of a sprightly dash to the ocean soon degenerated into the laboured stagger of a tourist in Mexico looking for a bathroom. Just as I reached the water, I threw the surfboard down on the wet sand and lay on it, face down and gasping for breath, hoping that the tide would rise quickly and float me away to the spa. By sheer determination and guts (or more likely from fear of public embarrassment), I got up, paddled out, and caught a wee little wave. For a few tantalizing moments, the exhilaration of riding it washed over me. In some weird way, the whole exhausting process was wonderfully invigorating, even refreshing.
Speaking of ocean waves, the atmosphere has similar motions as well. For example, when moving air encounters a mountain range, under certain conditions a series of up-and-down motions in the form of large waves occur downwind. These undulating motions (called Gravity Waves) gradually become smaller and dissipate as they move further away. The effect is like the outward-moving ripples that occur when a stone is thrown into water. Although Gravity Waves are invisible, sometimes clouds can form at the wave crests, providing a visual clue as to their existence. The result is an alternating pattern of long parallel lines of clouds (like surf at the wave crest) and clear areas (at the wave trough) many kilometres downwind of the mountain range.
Well, where will the currents of weather take us this month? For the South Island, there is a weak preference for near-normal temperatures and above-normal precipitation.
July is amazing, as the breadth of nature is on full display. So this month, instead of surfing the internet or the couch, get out and wade into the world of the living, dynamic natural environment. Let it all wash over your soul. If you are feeling wobbly from the ebb and flow of life, let the breathtaking display of trees and flowers, glittering seascapes backlit by snow-peaked mountains, and the red hues of sunset skies sweep you away. It’s wonderfully exhilarating, so enjoy the ride.
~ Weatherwit
