There are just a few surf movies out there that are special. One that really stands out at the moment is Jess Bianchi’s Given, a truly inspiring piece that captures the journey of the Goodwins on their travels across this planet. It’s also about a journey through the past of Aamion Goodwin.
I had the opportunity to have an inspiring chat with Aamion Goodwin about surfing and how to live a happier life.
There is this phrase pumping through the whole story, “Whoever catches the big fish, carries the spirit of the ocean inside him.” How would you describe the spirit of the ocean?
Aamion Goodwin: It’s a sense of freedom. It´s also about responsibility to the ocean, to take care of the ocean and to be one with the ocean – to recognize that it´s all connected and we´re all connected through the ocean. It´s pretty amazing the way that things can move through water. Frequencies can move through water and travel across the planet – just like a whale can communicate with another whale from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean.
Kind of that theory that we are all connected through the spirit of the ocean.
To me, the whole movie has this kind of spirit. You have seen many different countries and met many people from different cultures. This movie holds all these pieces together. Would you say, there is one thing that all cultures have in common?
AG: Yes, all the cultures – they are always happy. They have a simple way of living with joy and happiness and I think Love is something that you see everywhere. Something we all carry inside. Also, we all have children and everyone can relate to them, which was really awesome about traveling with kids.
Through the children, who are so pure and innocent, people look at you differently. They open their arms a little bit more. And we all share that love for the future of the children.
What was it like going on the same journey your father took you on when you were young?
AG: He just allowed life to unfold and didn’t need anything or anyone – he just would make his money as he goes. So it was definitely eye-opening for me to be on the other side and be the dad and travel with the kids and make sure that everything is okay.
The world changed a lot since I traveled with my dad. There are a lot more people, there are less rural areas to go, there are more popular spaces. But it was awesome in both ways. It was awesome to take my family around to places that I had been and showed them stories about when I was young. And that really connects generations.
Was your trip mapped out and planned out, or all spontaneous decisions?
AG: We had a rough idea of where we wanted to go. We didn’t want to travel with the kids on the plane for too long, so we tried to keep it under six hours.
There was a couple of “Oh let’s change that and go there,” so for the most part, it was planned out where we would going. But what we were doing at those places – that wasn’t planned. That was all like “just land and see what happens.”
And often now, people need to plan everything from A to Z – stressing instead of just hitting the road.
AG: That’s a big one. Here in Hawaii, I see people coming all the time. They got the time they land, they check in at the hotel. Their whole trip is booked. There is no time for a possibility of “Hey, let’s not go right, let’s go left.” They need to see this and that. So for the most part, their vacation is just as stressful as being home.
Just don’t make plans. Go somewhere and spend a good time there. Figure out the frequency there and enjoy yourself. See the beach for a few hours and look out at the sea or something.
The movie’s title is also the name of your son. How did that come about?
AG: We came up with the name Given because we thought that he was given to us through god, who has given his blessings.
Another quote I liked from the movie was “You don’t need magic to catch a big fish. You just need to follow the stars, listen to the people you meet and catch some waves.” Is this your recipe to happiness?
AG: You just follow your feet and if you allow your feet to guide you to the next place, then things will work out and you´ll get what you are looking for. You don’t have to chase it.
What advice would you have for parents who might be scared to hit the road with their kids and feel they need to play it safe?
AG: I think as humans, one of the worst things is allowing fear to guide us and to dictate what we are going to do in life. That’s not a life at all when you live in fear. You can’t be afraid. Kids are strong. Obviously, you don’t put them into crazy situations, but they’ll be fine. They can handle tripping and falling and getting back up to do it again.
And with traveling, that’s really one big thing I want to share – to inspire people to get up and take their kids and go out. Traveling is the most amazing thing and the most formal schooling that you can possibly give your child.
They don’t have to travel around the world, it can be just going in the backyard, making a fire, camping in the backyard, doing something different, doing something outdoors. That’s really what the movie’s about: inspiring parents to just get up and be with their kids, outside of the house and away from TV. Don’t allow your fears to stop their dreams and their possibilities that can happen in their life.
Do you think this movie could change the mindset of other people on how to treat the planet or how they treat themselves?
AG: I surely hope so. But this movie is not made in a way to show other people how they’re supposed to live. I don’t want people to think that at all, but I do definitively hope that it inspires them to live more freely. To care more about the planet. Make an impact so that our children can still breathe pure air and drink clean water.
Editor’s Note: You can find Given the Movie online here as well as tour stops here. And you can find more from the author at Get Wet Soon here.
