Song & Surf 2025
Mid-winter long-weekend ventures to Port Renfrew for friends & music.
Friday night, and a swift exit from the city saw us make the 5pm ferry without much breathing room, but the stress of the journey faded as we watched this beautiful sunset from the deck.
Saturday morning saw us explore Botanical Beach (Danica, with a ruptured achilles, changed her mind mid-hike, and I don’t blame her).
It felt a bit moody down there, so black & white felt like a suitable way to capture the vibe. The rocks and ocean feel really wild on this part of the west coast, and there is life everywhere you look.
Note that these images are straight-out-of-camera, from my Fuji X100vi or Fuji XT-4, meaning I chose the film emulation / ‘look’ before clicking.
This image of Katie, taking a breath of the deliciously fresh air, is my favourite from the morning. A beautiful woman in her happy place.
And here’s some pics that Katie took with our Fuji XT-4:
Somehow Coco was running hot, so she stayed true to the Coco script and got in the water. Who needs a towel or a swimsuit!? Not Cokes.
Below is some of the wildlife we saw over the weekend. The eagles were sitting together for some time, and viewed from our cabin’s living room. The otter was viewed from the jetty behind the Port Renfrew Pub (pictured last), and was so curious of what I was up to with my camera, until another couple strolled down the pier and she got spooked.
Not pictured: the humpback whale breaching, seen off the shores of Salt Spring Island on Monday’s return ferry.
Now for the “main event”, the festival. Whilst I didn’t shoot too much of the actual festival, with the combined factor that it was cold, wet, and a little dark, I think there’s a good sense of the fun and vibrant vibes Song & Surf is so wonderful at bringing out in people…
Big shout out to R.O. Shapiro (pictured) for another great set, and to Liinks, The Steadies, Neil Jam3s, From the Earth, Lindsay Bryan and Ashleigh Ball (pictured) for bringing awesome and inspiring live shows.
And that’s all for the pictures…
Lastly, some worthy mentions here of the amazing foods (Mexican bowls, breakfast sandwiches, and gnocchi), and hilariously fun games (Code Names, and the ‘Ranking Game’) shared in the cosy Handsome Dan’s cabin.
Port Renfrew… I’ll see you again soon.
Much love to my lovingly patient and beautiful partner Katie, my bestie Coco, my awesome brother & sister-in-law Craig & Amy, and my reliably adventurous and fun travel pals Brian & Danica. Love y’all xo
