Fanning Makes it a Race and What We can All Learn from Surfing

Yikes, the surfing down at Lowers was heinous to say the least. Dane Reynolds is quickly showing us that his chill pill is a placebo while Slater still looks quite limber and vertical enough to best the best. And Machado? What was that with his fluid disposal of Taj Burrow? Finally, the surf got its act together and all the fellas blew up, but it was Mick Fanning who looked like the sharpest tool in the shed (always dangerous in point surf). Parko has a big edge but there are four different surfers who have a shot at the title. The Hobgoods look strong especially if it comes down to Pipe. De Souza has his game face on as well, holding strong at third as all eyes turn to Europe.

But I digress...

The question I pose is "What can we (humans) learn from surfing?" Sure you can learn to save the environment and to avoid dropping in on locals, but the most important surf-related life lesson would have to be to just "Go for It"...no hesitation...no pulling back. That goes for all aspects of surfing whether you are dropping into a bomb, punting a fat air, or committing to a sickenning roundhouse cutty. But it also applies to life. Hesitation leads to stagnation and missed opportunities. Hesitation has no place in surfing and no place in life.

Okay, that said, maybe it teaches us not to stereotype. Todd Prodonovich writes that "without even realizing it, we (surfers) exude something that is a dead giveaway to teachers, bosses and girlfriends’ parents that we live for surfing, and this might be at the cost of things like schoolwork, jobs and quality time with the special lady." Do we fall into the world's view of surfers? Red eyes, messy hair, and innate mellow-ness? Doubt it...If you ever really get to know girls and guys at who surf your local beach, you'll find that beyond the passion for waveriding there lies depth and personality just like the rest of you. Sounds like a life lesson to me.

Best lesson of all? Stay Stoked!