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Bookshop Genres Pan-American Soul: Searching for the Meaning of Life on a Surf Trip from California to Brazil by Adrian Kojin
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Pan-American Soul
Searching for the Meaning of Life on a Surf Trip from California to Brazil
by Adrian Kojin

Overview

In 1987, Adrian Kojin rode his motorcycle across 14 countries cruising the Americas, over 15 thousand miles and 8 months, he departed from California all the way down to Sao Paulo, Brazil. In his unique adventure, he surfed classic surf spots and also had a once-in-a-life-time chance to report unknown waves in countries crushed by the political turmoil situation of that time. Pan American Soul brings a selection of his journals throughout the trip, sharing his vision of a world that was yet to be discovered.
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Description

“On the night of October 8, 1987, Adrian Kojin sped south on the 405 Freeway, shifted into higher gear, and headed for the Mexican border, beginning an odyssey that set a new standard for the adventurous surfer. Kojin proved that adventure is still out there, waiting for anyone who has the courage to take it the wild way.”

SURFER magazine


“Think you’re gnarly? Try riding a motorcycle from Huntington Beach to Brazil. On the following pages you will find the details of this journey, in writings based on a diary the author kept during this epic surf trip. Free your spirit, enjoy the journey.”

WATER magazine


FOREWORD

Some people believe that destiny is written in the stars. Others, like Adrian Kojin, insist on writing their own destiny.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to suppose that Adrian unconsciously invented himself when he decided to cross the Americas in search of the adventures narrated here. But not even he knew how fundamental this trip would be to free his own soul and define the future of his existence.

For starters, the waves he got to know in those eight months on the road initiated him into the great mystery of surfing, the romantic way, without the internet and swell maps. The advantage is that the search transcends the journey and the meeting of the perfect wave starts to signify harmony with the energies of the universe. That way, in a sometimes strange and always revealing form, after so many obstacles on the journey, it's easy to see that you're not the one who finds the ideal wave. It’s the wave who finds you.

In writing about the experiences of that trip, Adrian also invented himself as a journalist. That path has led him to more travel, more waves, and most of all, to a profession he can put his heart into. I think that in itself is a lot.

When you're reading this book, remember that it's not just about the shenanigans of a big boy chasing some lost waves in the third world. This is the story of a guy who had a dream, and, having the courage to pursue it, found his own truth. And, not least, he did it while having a lot of fun.

– Felipe Zobaran

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About the author

In 1987 extreme surf adventurer Adrian Kojin drove his motorcycle south on the Pan-American Highway carrying a surfboard on the back from California to Brazil. He didn't use any wave forecast service, carry any credit cards, stay on any surf resort, have access to a cell phone or GPS. In most places, he went surfing alone and spent only about two grand over eight months and 14 thousand miles living literally on the road. Also, just about every country in Central and South America was experiencing some heavy political turmoil. It didn't scare him; it only made things even more interesting. He took the high risk of being one more of the thousands of victims of the civil wars, dictatorships, and narco guerrillas. Mostly, he found solidarity in his quest for freedom and that elusive perfect wave every surfer dreams about. The articles written by Adrian about his 1987 trip led him into a successful career as a surf magazine and book editor in Brazil. For over a decade, he was the editorial director for Fluir Magazine. He later was responsible for the Brazilian edition of The Surfer's Journal. He has collaborated with Surfline for many years. This allowed him to travel extensively through the Three Americas and learn about its rich surfing history. He plans to include that in the documentary, visiting key spots and interviewing surfers that were part of it. That eventually will help viewers who intend to take surf trips to these countries to enjoy their journeys even more. Now, 35 years later, Adrian Kojin is doing it again. This time he is driving a minivan and taking an e-bike. He will use the e-bike as local transportation during his stops. More important, the e-bike will be his means of access to some of the most secluded waves along the way. He has at least five itineraries programmed for exploration only by e-bike, in which he plans to surf some incredible waves alone.
Read more

Book details

Genre:TRAVEL

Subgenre:Food, Lodging & Transportation / Road Travel

Language:English

Pages:220

eBook ISBN:9781667875347

Overview

In 1987, Adrian Kojin rode his motorcycle across 14 countries cruising the Americas, over 15 thousand miles and 8 months, he departed from California all the way down to Sao Paulo, Brazil. In his unique adventure, he surfed classic surf spots and also had a once-in-a-life-time chance to report unknown waves in countries crushed by the political turmoil situation of that time. Pan American Soul brings a selection of his journals throughout the trip, sharing his vision of a world that was yet to be discovered.

Read more

Description

“On the night of October 8, 1987, Adrian Kojin sped south on the 405 Freeway, shifted into higher gear, and headed for the Mexican border, beginning an odyssey that set a new standard for the adventurous surfer. Kojin proved that adventure is still out there, waiting for anyone who has the courage to take it the wild way.”

SURFER magazine


“Think you’re gnarly? Try riding a motorcycle from Huntington Beach to Brazil. On the following pages you will find the details of this journey, in writings based on a diary the author kept during this epic surf trip. Free your spirit, enjoy the journey.”

WATER magazine


FOREWORD

Some people believe that destiny is written in the stars. Others, like Adrian Kojin, insist on writing their own destiny.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to suppose that Adrian unconsciously invented himself when he decided to cross the Americas in search of the adventures narrated here. But not even he knew how fundamental this trip would be to free his own soul and define the future of his existence.

For starters, the waves he got to know in those eight months on the road initiated him into the great mystery of surfing, the romantic way, without the internet and swell maps. The advantage is that the search transcends the journey and the meeting of the perfect wave starts to signify harmony with the energies of the universe. That way, in a sometimes strange and always revealing form, after so many obstacles on the journey, it's easy to see that you're not the one who finds the ideal wave. It’s the wave who finds you.

In writing about the experiences of that trip, Adrian also invented himself as a journalist. That path has led him to more travel, more waves, and most of all, to a profession he can put his heart into. I think that in itself is a lot.

When you're reading this book, remember that it's not just about the shenanigans of a big boy chasing some lost waves in the third world. This is the story of a guy who had a dream, and, having the courage to pursue it, found his own truth. And, not least, he did it while having a lot of fun.

– Felipe Zobaran

Read more

About the author

In 1987 extreme surf adventurer Adrian Kojin drove his motorcycle south on the Pan-American Highway carrying a surfboard on the back from California to Brazil. He didn't use any wave forecast service, carry any credit cards, stay on any surf resort, have access to a cell phone or GPS. In most places, he went surfing alone and spent only about two grand over eight months and 14 thousand miles living literally on the road. Also, just about every country in Central and South America was experiencing some heavy political turmoil. It didn't scare him; it only made things even more interesting. He took the high risk of being one more of the thousands of victims of the civil wars, dictatorships, and narco guerrillas. Mostly, he found solidarity in his quest for freedom and that elusive perfect wave every surfer dreams about. The articles written by Adrian about his 1987 trip led him into a successful career as a surf magazine and book editor in Brazil. For over a decade, he was the editorial director for Fluir Magazine. He later was responsible for the Brazilian edition of The Surfer's Journal. He has collaborated with Surfline for many years. This allowed him to travel extensively through the Three Americas and learn about its rich surfing history. He plans to include that in the documentary, visiting key spots and interviewing surfers that were part of it. That eventually will help viewers who intend to take surf trips to these countries to enjoy their journeys even more. Now, 35 years later, Adrian Kojin is doing it again. This time he is driving a minivan and taking an e-bike. He will use the e-bike as local transportation during his stops. More important, the e-bike will be his means of access to some of the most secluded waves along the way. He has at least five itineraries programmed for exploration only by e-bike, in which he plans to surf some incredible waves alone.
Read more