Under an illusion of superiority

As I write, I am seated at the Surf Lifesaving cafe beachside at a little place called Crescent Heads in New South Wales.

We just came in from a two-hour surf, starting at very first light.

The ocean is currently empty of surfers as Crescent Heads Surf Club uses drone technology to detect sharks. And it has a big one on its screen. It has been cruising right where we were surfing in the last hour. The drone has a siren to warn surfers. 

Australia + surfing = sharks. You are 3 times more likely to be hit by an asteroid than to be eaten by a shark. 280 times more likely to be hit by lightning. 

However, the odds go up when you are in the water. Funny that. 

Yesterday, on one of my three birthday surfs, we were surrounded by at least twenty dolphins. Underneath us, right beside us. Such joy. 

The creatures are always there. 

It is the creatures’ domain, not ours. Respect is due, every time.

I wish it were the way of the world. But sadly, the culture of Empire asserts dominion, under an illusion of superiority. Until Nature spits. 

Nature, in her time, always spits.

Published September 1st 2026. Photo taken September 1st 2019