Letter from the Editor: A Surf Community

When I came to Second Life nearly 5 years ago, surfing was in its infancy. There were a handful of hardcore surfers from RL who were trying to bring that stoke into SL and thanks to Heather Goodliffe and Sebastian Saramago, who built the waves and the boards, and they came. Those were the days of meeting on a beach, tossing your board into the water and surfing with your friends.  Noobs were taught how to surf and everyone shared the love of surfing and camaraderie. The first comps were set up shortly after that and the SLSA was born.  VW Sands introduced me to surfing just before the first comp and I was hooked. I had never met a nicer bunch of folks and everyone was willing to help this noob and non RL surfer.  Parties, surfing, parties, and then more surfing. Those were the days. V, Flynn, Thor, Devi, Sizz, Robin, Colls, Socks...you guys rock!

Surfing has certainly grown from that handful of surfers to what we have now. With growth there is always growing pains. People have come and gone for a variety of reasons. Some did not feel welcome and for that I apologize on the behalf of the group. Some have moved on to other things to do in SL or other games or gawd forbid, RL. Some have gotten caught up in the drama that a large group inherently has. I cannot say that my time here has been all roses and chocolates, I can say that I have made amazing friends and so I have no regrets. Now it is time to find that stoke again in the community of SL surfing.

Working for SurfWatch first as a contributor, then taking over as Editor in Chief when RL claimed Tauri nearly two years ago, has always been an honor and I will continue to contribute to this amazing news source as I do feel whole heartily that without SurfWatch, things could be much different in a negative sense. I'm stepping back down into the contributor role as college classes have ramped up requiring more of my time and my desire to focus on VW, Vibes, and friends requires my time as well. I will still be around of course and hope that others who have an interest will step up and contribute.

See you on the waves,
Lissa Pinion Sands
Editor in Chief

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