Can’t imagine leaving this behind? Some people face that grim reality. Photo: Dave Sieczkiewicz
Congratulations, you flew the nest! While the new city you live in or college campus you are conquering may be fun and exciting, it might not be anywhere near the ocean–and it won’t take you long to realize the lack of waves in your landlocked town is cause for some serious concern. So before you, in a fit of (completely understandable) jealousy, go texting your friends at UCSB or in San Diego to take down their Instagrams of sunset sessions, take a minute to consider how you can satisfy that longing for the ocean (at least until you return to it).
1. Make hiking your new hobby
Love that feeling of productivity from an early surf session or peacefulness from a sunset one? Hiking can supplement that. Go with friends, or go solo; either way, hiking offers a unique way to connect with nature, center one’s self, and push the limits physically. I know it’s not the same as a lineup of overhead barrels and offshore winds, but it’s a hell of a lot better than nothing. Even if you don’t live in Colorado, there are still sure to be plenty of great hikes nearby. If I can make it work in Indiana (yes, Indiana. The middle of nowhere. No offense, Indiana), then you can make it work too.
2. Read poetry and get into art
While this certainly won’t satiate your physical need to be active, it will change your worldview and expose you to new experiences, just like surfing. Poetry can make you a more interesting and unique person, it will make you smarter (or at least smart enough to use words like satiate instead of satisfy), and believe it or not, it’s great to recite to yourself in the lineup during a lull. Understand it once and you will chase after that feeling again and again–just like a good barrel. As Wallace Stevens said, “Poetry is a pheasant disappearing in the brush.” The stereotype that surfers are painfully dimwitted clones of Johnny Utah or Spicoli-like stoners is outdated at best. Art, just like poetry, will help round out your creative outlets. Your style of surfing is like your signature. Learning to channel that creativity and style through acrylics, pen and ink, collage, etc. will satisfy your craving for uniqueness unlike anything else.
3. Stay Dialed In
This one should go without saying. If you miss the culture of surfing and want to stay connected to it despite your geographical predicament, you’re going to get you’re fix one way or another. Surfline’s purple blob of the week and Clark Little photos can help. Live vicariously through websites like this until the time comes to check your watch for the tide more often than you check the actual time, track sand throughout your apartment, and enjoy those unforgettable moments out on a board.
Ultimately, do the things that make you happy, just like surfing does. Whether it is playing the guitar, doing yoga, or swimming laps, make the time that you can’t surf count, because we aren’t all lucky enough to always be surfing.
