My shoulders lifted high and I beamed with pride as Tsinte, a young Tolowa woman, shared her exciting news. "I've been saving up money for a long time. Initially, I wanted to buy a goat, but I've decided to buy a surfboard instead."
I was a bit surprised. A custom surfboard is expensive, and a goat would bring considerable value to both her family and tribal community. So I asked, "Are you sure you don't want to buy the goat?"
She replied, "I've talked with my whole family about it, and everyone supports my decision."
"Well then," I said, "let's talk about board options."
We grinned at each other, then looked out over the ocean at South Beach as we discussed what she might be looking for.
I couldn’t help but look at her fondly, remembering the first retreat I hosted for her community in 2017. Tsinte was only 9 years old at that first retreat. She was remarkable in that she was the very first participant to go into the ocean, the first one to catch a wave, and the first one to stand up on her surfboard. Her focus, determination, and composure were inspirational, a quality I would come to recognize in all of her tribal community.
Tsinte has joined our surfing retreats every year since. I’ve seen her surfing progression over the years, have witnessed her grow from a young girl to a young woman, and feel a kinship with her and her family after getting to know them for so long now.
When I think of Tsinte, I think of honor.
One year, Tolowa Dee-ni’ invited me and our group of volunteers to come to a dinner at their cultural learning center. Tsinte was there to greet each one of us warmly, giving us a tour of the place, and making sure we were fed and had a place to sit while we ate. She made us all feel like honored guests, and it was such a blessing to feel that this young woman will bring up the next generation with the honor she reflects from her family and ancestors.
Tsinte chose my personal 'KP' surfboard model, which has been shaped many times over by a local Maui master crafter named Jeff Timpone. It's an all-around longboard with the capability of catching many waves and turning like a shortboard, while still allowing the ability to crosstep and hang toes.
That day, I asked Uncle Jeff (Timpone) how long it would take to shape a new one. Within two weeks, the board was shaped, shipped, and delivered. I retrieved the board from Portland International Airport and drove it five-plus hours to her family's home at the mouth of the Smith River to give it to her in person. The entire family was present to celebrate this momentous occasion; it was likely the first custom-shaped board that anyone in her Tribal community had ever owned.
Together, we removed the board from its protective wrapping. I showed her how to install her new fins, how to correctly connect the leash string and leash, and how to handle the board to keep it safe. As we felt the edges and contours of the board together, I described the function of each, and we both had the same expression of excitement on our faces. A whole new world was waiting for Tsinte!
~Kelly Potts
