North of Nowhere
Paddle surfer and professional athlete Zane Schweitzer on the cover SUP magazine and the opening spread of ‘A Lonely Paradise’. Photo © Robert Zaleski / rzcreative.com
Finding solace, and surf, on Vancouver Island.
Located in British Columbia on Canada’s southern west coast, Vancouver Island is the largest Pacific island east of New Zealand. Perhaps the most well-known spot along the western coast of the island is Tofino. A small surf town and popular summertime tourist destination. We traveled to this rugged and remote stretch of coastline with professional standup paddlers and Starboard team riders Zane Schweitzer and Sean Poynter. The crew also included Allan Gornall, Maris MacDonald and Stuart Robinson, three area locals who offered to serve as our guides for the trip.
A Lonely Paradise was first published in print form in the Spring issue of SUP magazine. It recently appeared as a digital feature here. To watch a video from this trip, click here.
“Robert consistently captures the unique, personal experiences that unfold as we seek adventure on the water. From big rivers to exposed breaks, he documents this common impulse with the rugged personalities and landscapes that connect paddlesports’ varied ends with unmatched precision and creative vision.”
Zane Schweitzer surfing the west coast of Vancouver Island as seen in SUP magazine. Photo © Robert Zaleski / rzcreative.com
Paddlers Sean Poynter (left) and Zane Schweitzer (right) surf an empty break somewhere along Vancouver Island's rugged and remote coast. Photo © Robert Zaleski / rzcreative.com
