The most rewarding part of Gone Boarding to me was the experience I had and the friendships I made. Throughout High School, regular core classes typically do not bring you and your classmates together in any special way. However, Gone Boarding truly does. I remember one day Mr. Curtis brought us on an adventure to Versluis Lake and he told us he had a surprise. We were all stoked thinking it was going to be something super gnarly. Turns out we were challenged to paddle board without a paddle. We had to go all the way across the lake and back using just our hands. I just remember it was a brisk cold morning and the water was chilled. This challenge made me connect with my classmates in a special way, due to the fact that we all had to help each other out. A few of us, me included, fell in the water. I remember I was wearing a sweatshirt and leggings. I was drenched, by the end of it. Our class turned into one big happy family.

I can honestly say Gone Boarding impacted my life in the best way possible. Before taking the class, I always had dreams to learn how to surf and live in a tropical place. After taking the class, my dreams became reality and I am currently living on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. Gone Boarding taught me so many amazing things. “Dream it, Build it, Shred it” is the best motto to live by. Living in Hawaii, I am constantly helping my friends fix up and patch their boards. I wouldn’t be able to do this without GB.
I remember getting into my wetsuit in December, as it was 20 degrees out, and going out to shred with the snow coming down. On this day, I caught my first wave and the feeling I had was indescribable. Every time I paddle out here in Hawaii, that memory always comes to mind.