As the aroma from a fresh morning coffee drifts skyward Geoff and I sit in a café and reflect on the last 5 weeks, laughing at our own stupidity and marveling at the novel feeling of being done. After we’ve finished our celebratory bagels (a rare commodity in these parts), we realize that trying to sum up the experience of our New Zealand skate is not only an intimidating task, but one not entirely necessary. What seems more appropriate is considering the basics and the big picture all at once.

    The final tally was 1366 KM. In under 40 days we covered the equivalent of over 34 marathons, wore through 12 pairs of shoes, consumed around 100 cans of beans, did 3 and a half back flips and completed one very animated adventure. The thing is that along the way certain obstacles may have proved insurmountable if not for the inspiring encounters we’ve had throughout the weeks.

    A poorly sealed mountain-road is one thing, but low spirits and dwindling resolve can tear a crew apart, something that threatened our team on more than one occasion. Yet with almost fateful timing we constantly found ourselves rescued from the jaws of total exhaustion, always as a result of the encouragement and generosity of strangers. No symbol of gratitude can be offered to capture the essence of how thankful we are.        

    Finding the cure may just be a dream, but we’re pursuing it with vigour and indefatigable love, something that people seem to be able to identify with. If we failed at everything else, at least we poured our hearts out into the world. Maybe nothing direct will come of it, but I know with certainty that all of our energy will be recycled and hopefully nurtured into a seed of hope. With that, the world is a better place.

    At the culmination of one of the greatest albums music has ever been graced with, The Beatles proclaim harmoniously that in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make. This could not be more evident to us. We have extended ourselves, constantly pushing both physically and philosophically to get the message across. And in return, the message is getting across. I find it difficult to think of a more practically rewarding result.           

    So now we rest as we prepare for the biggest challenge Skate4Cancer has ever embarked on. Australia sits poised and ready to tease us with fresh hindrances and frightening possibilities. New roads, new conditions, new authorities. Hell, even the spiders don’t like skateboarders over there, jeez.

    Thanks to everyone who has followed our blog so far, hopefully you’ve been as inspired as we have. Now as the sun sets on this portion of our journey we look forward to bringing you more chapters of the continuing story. The countdown is back on! See you in Aus...

With love.

Daniel + The S4C Team

Check these photos from the Skate4Cancer Competition in Dunedin, put on by Seth and crew.