Passing on the stoke of surfing

This morning I was thinking about why we were put here on earth by God. I'd like to think it wasn't just for our own benefit and that we are here to love others, help make this world a better place and to be happy.

This weekend I will be teaching surfing to a large group of youngsters the Super Grom event sponsored by the Florida Surfing Association. The event is run three times each summer and generally is attended by around 150 kids eager to learn how to surf. The event is free to all of the kids and they get lessons, lunch and a goodie bag. To say the least they love it and go away stoked.

I have volunteered as an instructor at the event as well as others for Wounded Warriors, Silent Surfers, Life Rolls On and other such events every year. Instructing at the event where each instructor has at least ten sessions in the water is grueling to say the least for all of the volunteers especially one as old as me. But despite all of that I always come away from it with the awesome feeling that I helped make someone's day and that they will get to enjoy the sport for years to come.

Seeing the smiles on the kids faces is great in and of itself but when I get a comment like "you make me smile" or " I came back again this year hoping to have you as an instructor" is awesome and makes me feel like I am making a little bit of a difference and the world a better place.

Surfing on it's own is a most gratifying sport but as with any endeavor it is a bit hollow if not shared with others. I have had great sessions on my own in epic surf but find it much more gratifying when shared with my friends even if the surf is marginal.

As I've said many times before I believe surfing has contributed immensely to my mental, physical and spiritual well being and based on discussions with others I know it has done the same for them. It means so much to me in fact that I am a bit of a Pied Piper of surfing in that even though I am a private surfing instructor I end up teaching the sport for free most of the time and that is fine with me.

So if you haven't ever done so find a way to use your gifts and pass them along to others. You'd be surprised at how good you'll feel. And if you already do then keep up the good work.

Thanks for dropping in. Mahalo and Aloha. Paul