Surf's Up!

September 2024

Most recently, I travelled to San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, to attend a women’s only surf camp

called Chica Brava https://chicabrava.com/. It was an unreal experience, especially since it was

my first time trying to get up on a surfboard.

My learning curve was steep, exhausting, and at times, scary. The number one rule was to

respect the water. The waves were coming. I couldn’t ignore them or avoid them. I could either

paddle over them (if the timing was right), turtle under them (if the timing was right), or paddle

with them to try to catch a ride. I had to keep working hard to move with the water. I had to

embrace the energy of the wave, and use it to propel me forward.

When flying home from surf camp, I began thinking about viewing anxiety and the management

of intense feelings through the lens of surfing – reinforcing that individuals can learn to reframe

their experiences, fostering a greater sense of empowerment and acceptance.

Surfing can represent engagement with your thoughts and emotions. Just as a surfer rides the

waves, we can learn to ride the ups and downs of our feelings without becoming overwhelmed

and shut down. This involves being present, accepting the experience as it comes, and finding a

way to move with it rather than against it.

There are several ways that surfing can be a powerful metaphor for dealing with anxiety:

1. Embracing the Waves: Just as surfers learn to navigate the waves, individuals dealing

with anxiety can learn to embrace their feelings rather than fight against them.

Recognizing that anxious thoughts are a natural part of the experience can help reduce

their intensity.

2. Balance and Control: Surfing requires balance, focus, self-discipline and strength.

Similarly, managing anxiety involves finding mind/body balance, whether through

mindfulness, breathing techniques, or grounding exercises. Learning to stay centered

amidst the chaos mirrors a surfer trying to balance on the board.

3. Riding the Ups and Downs: Surfers can experience both exciting rides and wicked

wipeouts. Anxiety can have its highs and lows too; understanding that difficult moments

will pass, like a wave cresting and falling.

4. Preparation and Practice: Successful surfing involves preparation and practice, much

like developing coping strategies for anxiety. Regularly practicing techniques can build

confidence and reduce the impact of anxious moments.

5. The Ocean’s Flow: The ocean is ever-changing, much like our emotions. Accepting that

anxiety can ebb and flow, and learning to go with that flow rather than resist it, can foster

a deeper sense of calm and empowerment.

6. Support: Surfing often brings people together. Seeking support from friends, family, or

professional therapists can help those facing anxiety feel less alone, similar to the

camaraderie found among surfers.