Hope Goes Surfing

TWLOHA has signed CJ Hobgood for 2012 and together they are bringing Hope to the world of Surfing. Find out more at www.twloha.com

Serve from the Heart - Rip Curl Pro Portugal 2011

Sunset over Supertubos

The Ripcurl Pro Portugal is over, the waves have receded and the hype of the contest is a now a faint murmur of the amazing surfing that went down over the past 3 days. As I count my blessings and reflect on the week that was I can’t help but feel privileged to be able to serve God in this ministry.

The act of service is something I feel is a key component to chaplaincy. I was able to serve some of the surfers by caddying for them at this event which is something they really appreciate. And even if it is a small support role I might be able to offer them, the message it conveys to them is much more then just the action.

You may have heard the well renowned saying, ‘actions speak louder than words’. I firmly believe in this proverb and try to apply it in all situations. It is easy to say something, however to live it is whole other aspect.

While at the contest I was asked to do an interview for the Catholic magazine of Portugal. One of the questions the interviewer asked me was, “how do you speak of Christ to the surfers”. My response was that it is not so much to speak of Christ but to live it. I have found the more I show the surfers the heart of God through my actions and the message of Jesus through my servant heartedness, the more they open up to me about their lives and the more willing they are to ask questions about my thoughts on God or the world in which we live. If you lead with your actions then words will soon follow.

I also got to spend a little time with Nuno (the regional chaplain for ASP Europe). It is encouraging to see the chaplaincy growing globally in surfing and that I can play a part in developing this. It's interesting to see now that chaplaincy is something which is not just accepted in the world of professional surfing but rather embraced. So please continue to pray for Chaplaincy, not just on tour, but globally, that every professional surfer will know a chaplain and the next Mick Fanning or Kelly Slater will have the support of Chaplaincy throughout they're whole career.


Obrigado
Abe  


Adriano wins the Rip Curl Pro Portugal 2011

Julian Wilson pulls in

Insert Surfer Here

Perfection

From Paradise to the Big Smoke

The View from the Empire State Building

NY, it is a place of yellow taxi's, hot dog stands and home to over 8 million people. The Quiksilver Pro in NY is, if anything, a surfing success. Although it had much speculation when first announced, it has delivered waves and crowds to match.

NY Loves Surfing

The surfers have been stoked to go somewhere different and their ladies have been equally stoked. The surf as you would imagine is like the waves you could score at any known beachy around the globe, however it is within a 40min train ride of the world's most famous city.

Quiksilver Store Times Square

It is amazing the looks you get when you jump on the subway with a surfboard in hand. I had a conversation with a surfing enthusiast of sorts, who basically spoke to me for 45mins about his whole life story and I exercised the art of listening whilst the rest of the train looked on.

To see how surfing has reached all corners of the globe is awesome and even in NY you can find surf shops. Times Square is home to both Quiksilver and Billabong surf stores.

Bring a Board to NY

The surfers are now global commodities and they are the advertising billboards of the ocean. It is obvious that with this pressure of international fame comes underlying insecurities of unmet expectations. It can be a seesaw of emotions trying to perform as well as pleasing sponsors. Focusing on an impending heat can be difficult with cameras recording your every movement, then to surf in front of the masses with an announcer breaking down your every move in the water can be hard to block out. And if you lose you still have to come in a face all those fans who are so eager to meet you and sign autographs and pose for photos with people you have never met all with a smile on your face. Then to go and face your coaches and sponsors with professionalism and stature all whilst the people around you are celebrating for the other guy, the winner, and telling you what you could have done differently to win your heat, with phrases like, “if only you didn’t go that wave” or “maybe if you hadn’t fallen on that good one” leaving you questioning your own abilities as surfer and a person, thus all you really want to do is get out of that place and forget what just happened.

Owen Wright Staying Focused for his Upcoming Heat

I see this all too often, and to tell you honestly, it takes character and determination to be able to deal with all outside influences in order to remain balanced. Some people wonder why there are amazing surfers out there who don’t compete, more often than not it is because they can’t or don’t want to deal with all of the above additives that come with competing.

Kelly Slater with a Massive Alley-Oop

Is there a solution to all of this? No, well not an instant remedy. However, having people around these guys who support and nurture regardless of the outcome is what these guys need. I hope at the end of the day that is what I can do for the surfers on tour. Keep them on an even keel so they keep afloat. It takes time, patience and diligence but in the end if I can help someone be a better person and a better competitor, then that is a job well done.   

Owen Flies with Style: Frontside Slob Grab

Teahupoo Awakens

Kelly Slater Wins Billabong Pro Tahiti 2011

It was possibly the best Teahupoo event ever. The waves turned on, the swell got massive and the conditions were perfect. Kelly Slater defeated Owen Wright in an awesome final. All in all Tahiti is an amzing place with beautiful people. Everyone walked away from this event blessed.