By Edmond Wu

During the pandemic, we found ourselves mostly stuck inside. Aside from the masked walks and attempts at the masked jogs, there wasn’t much to do outside. Even parks and forests were closed for a while. In a time when we all rethought our lives and our priorities, I found myself thinking about something that I had always wanted to do. That was surfing. Despite being in Southern California my entire life, surfing was never a regular activity. I had lessons here and there, but didn’t have a board, nor was I even remotely close to comfortable in the middle of the ocean. But little by little, I discovered why people were so drawn to surfing and the ocean.

Aside from it being great exercise and fun, it provides a place for people to be truly outside. Not only can you find tranquility while waiting for waves, but the ocean is one of the few places where we need to disconnect from the world, physically and digitally. You are forced to just wait. Waiting for waves. Waiting for the ocean to give you a short, exciting ride. Focusing on the moment and paying attention to what is in front of you is all you can do. It is futile to think about work deadlines or anything on land because none of that matters when you’re in the middle of the ocean. There is absolutely nothing you can do. No phone. No wallet. No shoes. You just have to be there. You have to enjoy the skies and oceans. You feel the waves moving you up and down. All you can do is appreciate and enjoy everything around you. The ocean is the ultimate timeout from modern society.

Being out in the middle of the ocean reminds us how small we are on this huge spinning ball. The ocean is a unique place where you are truly at the mercy of Mother Nature. It is a place where humans do not dominate. Surfing reminds you that the ocean can pick you up and toss you around like a rag doll. You are ultimately at the mercy of the ocean. Your life depends on having a healthy respect for it. It humbles you. No matter how rich or successful you might be, the ocean does not care. It treats everyone the same. We each are just one tiny human on a huge rock. The ocean reminds us of how human we are and how fragile at the same time. In the end, if you have a healthy respect for the ocean, it will also give you some perspective and a ride home.

Edmond Wu has been volunteering for the past four years. He is an avid hiker, runner, and surfer who nerds out over renewable energy, conservation, and sustainability. He is a certified Outings Leader, a Co-Chair of our Outings Committee, and a member of our Executive Committee