TREVOR GORDON | IN CONVERSATION WITH MATT SMITH

Sailing, surfing and storytelling. 

A glimpse at what's to come during next weeks store talknights with surfer, Trevor Gordon and Finisterre Ambassador, Matt Smith. Focussing on the present, past and future and the lessons learnt through a life less ordinary. 

Matt caught up with Trevor ahead of it all.

What’s keeping you awake at night right now?

A bit of jet-lag actually, as I’ve recently arrived in the UK to spend Christmas with my wife's family. Aside from that all is really well right now.

What makes you feel most alive? 

It's a hard one to explain really. I'd have to give an example. That feeling of the unknown in a place you've never been. I remember that feeling of being really alive while sailing my boat in Mexico a couple years ago. We were making a 70 mile crossing to some offshore islands in Baja after being out of touch with internet or weather forecasting for a couple weeks. A decent little storm system moved in while underway bringing 30 knot winds and rain with a crossed up sea of 8-10 ft swells. At the time I hadn't had all that much experience in that sort of weather, and while knowing I knew what I was doing and feeling confident in the boat, that feeling of being 'out there' made me feel really alive. 

What is your connection to the UK?

My wife Maddie is from East Sussex actually, we are out here for just shy of a month visiting for Christmas. I really love it over here... I love the cold and the tangible seasons. The food and the farming practices. The countryside and the history. Anyways, yah we decided to stay a little longer than we normally do to spend a little time wandering around. 

How would you like to be remembered? 

I guess as a loving, humble and content person.

What’s the most important lesson life has taught you? 

Thus far, life has taught me to slow down and simply take life in. It all goes by so fast and being able to visit moments again whether in your head or with others is valuable to me. I've been fortunate enough to visit places in the world I likely won’t ever see again so I think appreciating things in that moment is important. 

Is there anything you regret? Have you forgiven yourself for it? 

I’m doing my best to think of something but I cant. I think if there was I probably talked myself out of even feeling regret for it. 

What’s your relationship with the ocean like? 

I have an extremely intimate relationship with the ocean, I believe it's something I don't often think about. My wife Maddie and I live in a sailboat in Santa Barbara, Ca. So there's that, just the movement of the boat is our daily life. My schedule is entirely based around the swell; for better or worse. Santa Barbara rarely has decent sized surf, so if there's any sort of swell running and the surf is likely really good, I have to put everything aside. The ocean just provides that balance that keeps me in tune. 

How would you describe your love of the sea? 

When I see the ocean I feel openness or freedom... and I know that sounds cliché but it's the best way to describe it. I feel a breath of fresh air knowing there's virtually nothing out there and it's just so vast and there's freedom to sail anywhere. Surfing is the icing on the cake for me and puts you 100% in the moment in such a beautiful space. 

Can you tell me 3 things you love about yourself? 

I think my ability to see both sides of an issue. Though I can be lazy or too content, my ability to achieve something if I believe in it. My health. 

 

Join Trevor and Matt in-store next week. Tickets and waiting lists still available.

St Agnes - Wednesday 9th January

London - Thursday 10th January

Photo: Nick Liotta