Life Lessons From Surfing : Confidence and Growth

Confidence isn’t universal. But it is a skill. And it transfers. When you build it in one area, it spills over into everything else. That’s why I love learning new things. The challenge, the growth, and what each one teaches me about life.

Yoga taught me to chill out and listen to my body. Improv gave me permission to drop the perfect act, be silly, and have fun without fear of judgment.This summer, I finally fulfilled my dream of learning to surf.

Here are five things I learned on the water that I’m bringing back to shore:

1. If you can maneuver on water, solid ground has nothing on you. Surfing builds this unshakable kind of confidence. If you can stay up on a small-ish board in moving water and waves, just think what you can do with flat, stable ground under your feet.

2. Wiping out is great. This one’s common across a lot of sports, but it still hits. If you’re not falling, you’re not even trying. You’re playing it safe. And safe doesn’t build confidence or character. Of course, after enough practice, the falling slows down. That’s important. That’s progress.

3. This one’s a toughie: patience. Surfing is a lot of sitting around, waiting for the right wave. Sometimes the break is amazing. Sometimes it’s slow, frustrating, and boring. I always want to go go go, so this one has really tested me.

4. Communicating without saying a word. Everyone is waiting for that one good wave. There’s a lot of 'reading the room', watching for nonverbal cues, and knowing when to go, when to hold back, and when to let someone else through. The level of camaraderie and awareness in the water is beautiful.

5. Make decisions, and make them fast. I didn’t learn this one on my own. My coach said that surfing turns people into fast decision makers. And even though I’m still working on it, it makes perfect sense. It’s one of the most dangerous sports, and sometimes a split second to decide is all you get.

These are just a few of the life lessons from surfing that have stuck with me, both in and out of the water.

What’s the next new thing you’re trying?