Some beliefs before we began Surfing...I can’t do, it’s going to be tough, I will not get it, I should get it perfect and so on. We didn’t want to change any of these beliefs, we just went ahead with all these beliefs.
Some had different beliefs...I will do it, I can get it, I am going to do. We didn’t celebrate any of these beliefs, we just went ahead with all these beliefs.
All beliefs were ok!
Some beliefs remained same after the surfing, some changed…I got it, I can do it, it was tough but I could do it. For some the experience did the magic, for some trust in self-made the difference. Whatever it was, most were submerged into hours of surfing… Falling and crashing waves were all part of our experience.
It was not about surfing, it was about self-discovery through the experience
We pondered
Learnings about self from the waves.
Learning about self from unknown experiences – beliefs, habits, challenges, constraints, experience.
Learning from our successes and failures.
Learning from constraints.
Learning from peers
Just few colors, some imagination, some music, some wind, and some sea… That’s all we needed to play with colors
Some questions
Why do surfboards have fins?
How are waves formed?
Why ocean was choppy?
What kind of weather report you need?
What do you feel about the ocean?
Why it is called surfing?
The words we heard during the various explanations – swirl, shoulder, green wave, fins, peak, longboard, manouver, rising wave, stand up paddling, surfing, energy shift, wind and heat, offshore, onshore, friction, low tide, high tide, sandbank, beach break, reef break, force, power, point breaks, suffe, Portuguese, British, surf, frequency, Hawaii, 114 feet wave, barrels, pipeline, jellyfish, breed, cold water, Dolphins and Sharks!
Some stories of the surfers
Nikhil, an engineer, realized this is not his field. Started traveling, climbing preamp, trekking, rafting and now surfing… Follow your passion, follow it hard, you get moments to share.
Akhira, a cinematography, quit the job, unaware of what wanted to do, water was intimidating, involved now with water, know much more about you, the smallest decision can make a difference.
Siddharth, an engineer, data sciences, quit the job, prefer the ocean, traveling, experiencing surfing and close to the ocean as much as possible.
Chandan, quit the job, following passion, love what you do.
Ravi, part of the Ashram since childhood, shared about the Ashram. Swami, a key element in bringing Surfing to India. Experienced the Ashram in Mysore, no teachers, no exams, with a basic philosophy of Do for the community, be selfless. Don’t push your dreams behind, do what you want, make that work for you what you want. The experience opened doors for various opportunities for him.
We take back home – Salt, experiences, inspiration, and memories!