I started surfing lessons after I was 30 and overweight. I decided to share this with you because someone inspired me to try, so I hope I can inspire you to start a hobby or even take a surfing class.
First of all, let me share WHY.
WHY?
I’ve been studying Human Potential and Happiness this year. Have you ever wondered, ‘How to be happy?’ I don’t think people really think about it. In my opinion, people believe they are happy, but they are so stressed, occupied, and anxious that they neutralize themselves through social media, alcohol, drugs, and work.
Yes, stressed and anxious people can’t be silent and alone anymore. They need to learn how to take a vacation without bringing work along, and they need to learn how to rest on the weekends.
And data is proving it.
By considering myself an ex-workaholic (I was this person once), I decided to study Happiness and help my online students achieve their happiness. But I had to experiment with the science in myself first.
So, after facing hard months due to personal life issues this year, I started to put into practice what I learned:
Human beings need real connection and personal interaction with their community. This is fundamental for happiness and longevity.
Since I have always wanted to learn to surf, I started scrolling through beginner videos on Instagram. Eventually, the algorithm showed me a 38-year-old plus-size surf beginner, Cass.
HOW?
Interestingly, I had just joined a group that swims in the sea in the morning, and the lifeguard accompanying the group, seeing my interest in the sea, asked me if I would like to take a surfing lesson with him in Malibu, the birthplace of surfing.
I went to the lesson, and it was chaotic. We were at a spot on the beach for advanced surfers, and some of them got really upset and started yelling at me. I finally convinced my friend to leave and go to the beginners’ area.
I caught two waves that day, and although the class wasn’t a very good experience, they left me wanting more.
So, I wrote to Cass on Instagram and asked if she could recommend her surf coach. That’s how I met Crash, who is now my surf coach, too.
Crash is amazing! He is patient and experienced, and I immediately realized he knew what he was doing when I saw him teaching kids, too. He explained to me the importance of starting with a big board with a lot of volume.
Unfortunately, many beginners give up learning to surf because they get a board that is unsuitable for their start. Did you know there’s a calculation for the volume of a board according to your weight? And that if you’re an adult, it’s best to use an 8 or 9-foot foamboard? That makes all the difference.
Eventually, I met Cass in person, and now we surf together every week with a group of friends—all beginners—and Crash, our surf coach.
I am so happy doing this! It has improved my well-being, mental health, mental clarity, presence, and happiness.
Being in salt water is healing in itself. Energetically and physically. Did you know that salt water releases the lithium you breathe when working on a computer? Not to mention all the other heavy metals that harm our physical health and densify our emotional health.
Unlike our grandparents, we have substances in the air that affect our entire system, including generating more stress, anxiety or sadness.
In addition, surfing is an activity that requires you to pay attention to many factors simultaneously, so it is almost impossible to be surfing and feel anxious or think about problems.
Anyway, I’m just getting started!
I only have positive points to share, and I hope to inspire you to start a hobby, too.
After all, no matter what your life is like right now, taking care of your emotional health and happiness has a ripple effect on everything else. Tell me later if you are doing any activities, such as surfing, or will start something new now. Don’t put it off until tomorrow. I discovered that it is possible to surf even if you are overweight, and it was the best thing to have taken a class.
I can’t wait to catch the next wave! See you soon.
With love,
Rayani
PS: Follow me on Instagram to see the daily content I share: https://www.instagram.com/rayaniimmediato/
Here is a video I made about this surfing journey: https://www.instagram.com/p/DB7wYIappkh/
And in case you want to follow Cass too, here is her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/surfercass/