@sdw on Instagram.

CURRENT MISSION

Currently: working as a photographer and designer from my Santa Cruz studio and living for with my family in the forest nearby. My studio is also able to host travelers intermittently!

To travel and document the incredible Americas by motorcycle and photographs.

Previously, I rode to Alaska and South America and back in one piece on a motorcycle with my best friend and documented it in photography and writing! I try to be a great host in Santa Cruz and show people one of my favorite places on Earth! I am also working on a book about my travels and planning another great motorcycle trip.

ABOUT ME

Dutchman living in SC -- love traveling, meeting people, riding my motorcycle and photography.

I moved to San Francisco 12 years ago from the Netherlands and know the town well. I now live in the Santa Cruz mountains with my family. My passion is traveling and meeting new people. I was previously between big trips and hosting lets me still hear great stories and meet fun people, which was fantastic! I love couch surfing and try to show people around the places I know when I can.

PHILOSOPHY

“Some people will tell you that slow is good – but I’m here to tell you that fast is better. I’ve always believed this, in spite of the trouble it’s caused me. Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba…”

Hunter S. Thompson

My personal philosophy is to live life to the fullest. I believe the greatest richness in life lies in travels, places and people. I try to fill mine with a great diversity in all of those, and I don't always take it easy. I like to climb mountains, dance in raves and ride motorcycles -- though, you can also find me in a hammock near a mountain lake. Live life!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Now using it after hosting for the last year which was fantastic. I hope to be a lifelong member and use and contribute to the service as much as I can.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I had plenty of experience traveling around minimally when I was younger in Europe, but never used couch surfing as a service! I'd like to meet other travelers by hosting as much as I can before I go off on a trip myself.

Interests

Design, art, photography, books, science, talking, exploration and motorcycles...

• design
• photography
• music festivals
• motorcycles
• music
• hiking
• camping
• travel
• art
• nature
• trees
• photographer
• overlanding

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Ran from home and hopped around Europe when I was a terrible teenager, dropped everything and moved from Holland to the US when I was 23, many many more crazy adventures. Come crash, let's share stories!

Teach, Learn, Share

I am an artist, so I photograph, draw, paint, calligraph, typeset, 3D-print and do much more like fixing old cameras and vintage lenses, building computers or fixing up old motorcycles. I would love anyone with any skills (I love cooking, and farming too!) to come around if you are willing to share!

Countries I’ve Visited

Antarctica, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Peru, Poland, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, Netherlands, United States