Thanks to Kurt

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I received email today from paul Koulbanis and he was surprised to hear I was in Bali. I realized I hadn't included him on the blog distribution list. He asked if I had hooked up with Kurt and it got me thinking about these two remarkable guys.

Paul first went to Hawaii as a college freshman enrolled in Maui Community College. He lasted a week or so and came home. But as soon as he finished college he went back again and this time it stuck. He's been there since and has raised a beautiful family with a lovely wife. In addition, he has served as 'father' to every Westerly surfer to set out to test his skill in the Hawaiian waters. Many Westerly surfers owe much to Paul for his help, hospitality, and guidance.

Kurt was one of those young men who left Westerly to go surf in Hawaii. Kurt didn't stop there and ended up in Bali where he has a lovely family and a beautiful wife. And now he serves as welcome ambassador to those who travel out to Bali.

So it is a bit of a full circle when Kurt served as a gracious host to me, Susan, Jack and Nancy here in Bali. He invited us to join him and his friends for dinner two times; once at his house. Everyone immediately liked Kurt. He is a true gentleman and I'm so happy that he is doing so well.

It struck me that Paul and Kurt are the only two surfers from Westerly who left and never came back and created successful lives for themselves in surfing paradises. Oh, others left for a while and still others have travelled a lot. Correct me if I'm wrong, but these are the only two I can think of and I'm happy and proud to be friends with both.

I think it takes a special person to accomplish what these two have done and to then share it with whomever visits them.

thanks Kurt for a great visit to Bali. We'll be back.

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Photos

Just a field
But what a field

Just a cloud
But what a cloud

Uluwatu
Lumpy

Comments

[paul koulbanis]

Follow up
Thanks Mike! Correction to the school as it was Mauna Olu College ,which actually folded the following year. Needless to say , I was not ready for the even worse than P.Rico living conditions for college when I arrived in '71!!! Three weeks later I was home in R.I., feeling a failure and vowing to return 5 years later in '76. Where did those years go? 33 years later with great memories with the Westerly boys in the heyday of Maui. Pier One would never be the same!

[Joe P]

moved
Hey man, BT moved to New London...does that count?

[micihaelt52]

Thanks to Curt
Joe, I stand corrected. Thank you. I'm now home in the 8 degree weather and am preparing a final Bali blog

[paul koulbanis]

BT
Can't forget BT. My man!!!!

[Curt Schwarz]

my pleasure
Hi Mike and friends, It was great to catch up with you while you were here. Your most welcome and I enjoyed the company just as much. I hope you make it out again next year. Nusa has finally kicked in with consistent fun surf almost every day so next time you come out Id say Feb to May are the best months to be here. May being the best! After 22 yrs being here I still cant wait for May! Take care Mike and rgds to Susan and Friends

[paul koulbanis]

Aloha Curt
Curt, Miss ya...Paul

[hilda]

Hi...
Hi Kurt.... are you Nyoman Swasta that I knew?