The Shearing of the Afro

Friday, May 28th, 2010 marked the end of era. It was on this day that my friend Gordon had his head shaved to raise money to send kids to camp. It was on this day that the afro disappeared. He grew it for 6 years.

I decided to bike to the momentous occasion even though it was raining lightly and about a 2 hour ride. I biked down the hill and over the Pattullo bridge into New Westminster. Then through an industrial area by the river and up and over Coquitlam.

I went down the other side and into Port Moody. I biked through a park near the ocean and up the hill over to camp Sasamat where the shearing took place. It was their annual dinner on the patio fundraiser. Dinner consisted of burgers and salad followed by some fruit and cake for dessert.

Rob was at the camp with his crazy shoes with the toes.

Q was at the camp and went out in a canoe by himself while drinking wine. Greg, Jon, and Josef also showed up to the camp later.

They had a climbing obstacle course that I raced Q to the top of. I won by a great distance but I was on the left which had a much easier route.

Of course Gordon was there too with his afro and all. We didn't actually get to see the afro in its full glory until after dinner was done since he had to have it contained while cooking. He works in the kitchen at the camp.

I had my last photo with him before the shaving.

Then when everyone was ready, it began. His hairdresser was the camp's executive director who was not exactly skilled at it. Photos were being snapped left, right and center.

Gordon wore a garbage bag to protect him
from the massive amounts of hair that fell to the floor.

In the end he held some of his afro in his hands, no longer attached to his head. I'm not sure what was done with it but there was no going back.