Sometimes, we get the opportunity to bring surfing together with other passions. It’s different for every surfer. Maybe your passion is art. Maybe it’s conservation or service or education. Maybe it’s writing. Maybe it’s travel. Whatever that passion may be, mixing it with surfing is a sure way to enhance and intensify the experiences offered by that thing which you feel strongly connected. Surfing is a perfect mix of zen and exhilaration. It is all at once calming and adrenaline boosting. It is healing. For veterans with both visible and invisible wounds, surfing provides an opportunity to combine leisure with their “warrior ethos”.
Wounded Warrior Project’s Surf Warrior group kicked off their summer season over the weekend. Some of the Warriors had participated in the event in past years, and some had never surfed before. Almost all of them looked unsure of what they were getting into, but every one of them grabbed a board from the quiver lying on the beach and charged the water full speed. They saw a challenge, and they willingly and bravely took it on. It’s what makes them such good soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines. It’s what called them to serve in the first place. Every Wounded Warrior that surfed managed to make it to an upright position at least once, and expressions quickly changed from “Am I doing this right?” to “I AM SURFING!” thanks to the patience and hard work of a lot of dedicated surf instructors. It was a perfect day for joining surfing and service.
The opportunity to combine passions for surfing and service are great in number and can be found all over the world, and right here in the US where support for our troops runs deep. Surfers and surf travelers can also find opportunities to combine surfing with autism awareness, art, conservation efforts, children’s activities, culinary, cars, and so much more. Look for those opportunities at your local surf spot or, better yet, take those opportunities on the road and spread them to others who may not have access to such things. Whatever your passions may be, get out there are share them through surfing.