By Eric Jackson
I never imagined writing about a pair of shorts. When I ripped through my favorite orange board shorts this summer, it occurred to me just how many adventures I have been on wearing them. First, off, what made them my favorites in the first place? They were a bright, fun, color for starters. Bright orange always seems to put me in a good mood. This is why the Kokatat/Jackson line that Dane and I did are primarily bright orange. They were very well cut and never hindered even the most aggressive movements like jumping, running or squatting. They were soft and never chaffed, no matter how many miles I put on them in a day on land or in the water. They dried quickly and didn’t seem to stain easily. They were, in short, a perfect piece of adventure gear.
I really don’t remember getting these shorts. I think Kristine got them for me and it has been at least 3 years of solid use. I do have other shorts I wear, but they were the “go to” most of the time (except Speedo Thursday, of course). I never really imagined getting attached to a pair of shorts, but the moment I squatted down to pick up my fishing kayak on the Ottawa on August 19th and my crotch ripped out, I suddenly had a feeling of loss. I knew at that moment, that I loved those shorts.
Going through photos for a project, I started noticing these shorts popping up in one photo after another. Then I remembered which trips I brought them on and no others. The list was long and the memories were always amazing.
Creeking trips in Mexico- Alseseca (many sections, and races, too) , Jalacingo Upper and Lower
Creeking trips in the USA
Uganda Whitewater- three years in a row
Uganda Fishing- Murchison Falls Tournament
Zambezi River- Zambia- Victoria Falls- Game drives, kayaking, swimming, camping
Ottawa River- whitewater, fishing, kayaking, camping
World Freestyle Championships- NOC
Sickline Race- Austria- two years in a row- under my drysuit, or with dry top for practice
Jessie’s Kid’s Camp- NYC
Cocoa Beach Florida
Turtle Bay, North Shore Hawaii, surfing, swimming
Freestyle Tour- Colorado, Idaho, Virginia, Canada and more
The list goes on…. Here is a photo essay, and a farewell article to my favorite pair of shorts…. I have not replaced them yet, but will soon… perhaps I can find the same ones again…
Remember that life is short- creating memories for yourself, family, and friends is what you end up cherishing in the long run. I am glad my shorts spurred so many wonderful memories.
EJ
