Board Meetings

I came to surfing later in life.   I won’t confess how late, because then we get into age and numbers, and I can’t quite go there. Let’s just say that my ex would definitely refer to this as another mid-life crisis and my best girlfriends are appalled that I would pick a sport that defies makeup and hairspray at my age.

But for all that, and the big waves, cold mornings and sore body parts and bruises, surfing to me has become an elixir to life I cannot do without. The more I’m out on my board, the more I see the relation between surf, life and work.

For a type A tied to her mobile phone, laptop and iPad, time in the water is really ‘away’ time. Kind of like a power nap, but wet. I‘ve participated in many different types of sport activities and no other discipline does it for me like being out in the ocean does. The rush, the zen, even the fear; it all makes you feel deliciously alive.

Now most surfers feel surfing impinges on their work, either they’re not working enough, or surfing too little! I find it the best compliment to what I do for a living. Sure, it’s a stress reliever. But more so, it’s a clarifier. Being in the moment, complimenting nature in a harmonious way, or not, allows me to come to my practice calm and confident. A great way to start or end the day, surfing consolidates my energy and focus and allows me to excel and enjoy recruiting more so now then in the last twenty years. For that alone, I am grateful and tied to the ocean in ways I could have never imagined. Who would have guessed, that a sport I came to by accident and never thought of in any personal way, could become such a great passion.

I probably shouldn’t even blog about this, there’s plenty of folks out on the water already. Heck, I  know a number of corporate guys who go to ‘board meetings’ on a regular basis (yeah, you know who you are).  As one of my surfing colleagues says, it’s the only sport/venue where the surf gypsy and the CEO can hang together as equals and share a common ground (or ocean as the case may be).

I often believe the most important aspect of  this incredibly difficult sport is the humility factor. Like recruiting (are you listening all of you rookies?!), if you get too cocky, lose respect, forget God and start bragging, some rogue wave will slap you upside your head so hard, you’ll be well reminded of how small in the scheme of things you really are. Life’s lessons are often best learned through rough waves and strong currents.

In my mind, these are all good things. To be tapped on the shoulder by nature and put in your place is both humbling and eye opening. There are bigger things than us, than the deal, than picking up your email every 30 seconds. There are moments of joy and beautiful sunsets, low flying pelicans and the occasional dolphin. How lucky we are, when our greatest passions complete and compliment one another.