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Distance Runner Rhiannon Hull WAS ALWAYS EAGER TO PUSH THE LIMITS OF HER ENDURANCE. THEN THE PACIFIC OCEAN PUT HER TO THE ULTIMATE TESTPublished by
March 12, 2012
Distance Runner Rhiannon HullWAS ALWAYS EAGER TO PUSH THE LIMITS OF HER ENDURANCE. THEN THE PACIFIC OCEAN PUT HER TO THE ULTIMATE TESTFRIDAY WAS BEACH DAY. The kids at Escuela Sol y Pura Vida (Sun and Pure Life School) would head to Playa Avellanas, on Costa Rica's Pacific shore. The ribbon of sand, dotted with tidal pools, was known locally as Little Hawaii and was frequented by world-class surfers. But on Oct. 28 the beach was practically barren. The water, usually clear enough to show stingrays in the pipes that bore the surfers to the shore, was a drab, mottled gray. "I remember thinking the sky looked angry," one resident recalls. On the best days—and there were about 300 of them a year—the blue sky bled into the ocean, and the tableau of water, sand and almond trees was almost ostentatious in its beauty. It all looked, in a word, tranquilo. But looks could deceive. Swells could reach 18 feet, and the tides that washed in and out constantly remodeled the soft ocean bottom, rendering it unfamiliar even to veteran surfers. On Oct. 28, an overcast day in the height of the rainy season, the surfers and the schoolkids stayed away. Everyone did, in fact. Save for one intrepid woman and a small boy. Also check out The Real Definition of “A Mother’s Love.” ~ Scott Keneally
Rhi’s friends and family have started a non-profit organization in her honor. The Rhiannon Joy Hull Foundation is committed to raising awareness of alternative education opportunities, and broadening access to such schools by offering financial aid to families in need. We are just starting-up, so if you are inspired to help us with ideas or dollars, we’d be incredibly grateful. Please visit www.rjhf.org. Many thanks. Read the full article at: sportsillustrated.cnn.com
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