10/22/2026
There is a depth and pain that only laying beneath the water in a rain storm can touch! Even though this became one of my most dangerous moments under water it was still one of the most healing moments I’ve experienced. Healing in watching the rain meet the millions of gallons of fresh spring water touching rain drops at the surface of the water.
After spending the night out documenting the River on just one hour of sleep I stopped here when the loud thunder started getting closer to ride out the storm. It was the first time I’ve witnessed a spring empty out that quickly mid summer. I waited by my paddle board on the land until lightning struck close by and branches started falling around me and then I ran for cover with 25lbs of camera in hand leaving my paddle board in the midst of the storm but there was really no where safe for me to hide.
I waited until I thought the lightning had passed (30 minutes or so) and jumped back into the water with my camera to film the rain & while I was filming this I heard the sweetest cracklings of rain sizzling into my ears. It felt like pure magic touching my ears with every drop drawing me in like a magnet. The moment I gripped my metal camera housing with both hands I felt an electric current move through my pinkies. The perfect ammount that had me feeling super alive and also knowing danger was too close by it felt like I had accidentally micro-dosed a little bit of lightning. 0/10 don’t recommend.
I exited the water again while I waited for the electric part of the storm to pass had a small window to paddle back to my car & the closest lightning hit hours later while I was a packing up my car to head home. This was filmed in mid August! How often do you get to experience the rain without intense lightening/thunder close by.
Do you love watching the rain from underneath the water. Music by Ocie Elliot, Slow Tide.
