The Spiritual Side of SurfingMore than any other sport, surfing goes beyond a mere activity, and seems to encompass a unique lifestyle and philosophy. When describing a day spent in the waves, surfers can even speak in spiritual or quasi-religious terms. What's really behind this notion of surfing as a spiritual experience?
Corky Carroll has surfed all over the world, and has risen to the highest levels of the surfing scene. A professional competitor with an impressive collection of trophies and titles, Corky also teaches surfing in California and designs surfboards. Asked about the spiritual nature of his chosen sport, Corky had a number of things to say:
- Happiness.
To Corky, the real spiritual part of surfing is simply that it makes him happy. For him, the act of surfing is a joyous expression, and it is this free-flowing joy that touches on notions of spirituality.
- Stress relief.
Corky also sees surfing as the ultimate stress-reliever. If he's had a bad day, or if he's nervous, he can paddle out into the waves, and it all goes away. Surfing clears his mind, and being a part of his natural surroundings gives him a sense of being grounded. In this way, surfing offers benefits similar to those of meditation.
- A humbling power.
According to Corky, surfing can also be a very humbling experience. When out in rough, choppy water, a surfer can feel at the mercy of very powerful, primal forces, and this can lead to a unique and unforgettable sense of one's place in a larger universe. And what's more spiritual than that?
For more information on surfing, check out the following organizations and websites:
Corky Carroll.com
www.corkycarroll.com
Surfline
www.surfline.com
Surfermag
www.surfermag.com
Eastern Surfing Association
PO Box 582 Ocean City, MD 21843
800-937-4733
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