Date a Surfer
They’re the one with the slightly unkempt hair, scruffy face, draped in a combination of earth tones and neon colors. The kind of look you can tell Hollister tried to emulate in their advertisements, but fell short of authenticity. Tanned skin, sun-bleached hair, and good posture didn’t strike you as a normal combination until you met them. Sand is scattered across their neckline and lodged under their fingernails. Each grain has a story to go with it, and they’re eager to share 'em all if you ask.
Date a surfer. They’re confident but far from an egomaniac. They realize how small they are in the grand scheme of things, but still believe they can single-handedly better the world around them. They see beauty in the blades of grass that grow through cracks in the sidewalk. They will help a small insect navigate its way out of a room with the same compassion they have when assisting an elderly woman across the street.
Date a surfer. They’re romantic and thoughtful without thinking about it at all. They know exactly what time the sun rises and sets. They’ll take you to a secluded secret spot to watch the sun fade into the ocean, and squeeze you tightly while you both gaze towards the horizon. They watch the sun set often, and each time a small piece of the scenery remains in their pupils.
So when you look into their eyes, don’t be surprised when you’re hypnotized by millions of fractions of sunsets peering back at you.
Date a surfer. They often have phenomenal physique. You won’t find any gym-selfies on their Instagram account. Instead it will be littered with sunsets and seashells, waves, friends and good times. They probably don’t even have a gym membership. But they aren’t lazy. A strong core, broad shoulders, and toned triceps are natural byproducts of their favorite activity. They stand tall with shoulders back and defined pectoral muscles, like they’re puffing out their chest. But it’s not intentional—there is nothing to prove. It’s just how posture evolves from countless hours spent arching one’s back atop a surfboard. People may compliment them about their body and humbly they blush and give the aww shucks look.
Date a surfer. They won’t give you flack when you tell them you want to become vegan, even if it’s the fifth time you’ve tried after four failed attempts. They will probably offer to support your dietary effort by going vegan themselves. After all, eating healthy, organic foods is already a habit of theirs. When you decide to start practicing yoga, tell them. They will share their thoughts on the best yoga studios and teachers in the area. They’ll join if you want company, but give you the space to go alone if you ask for it.
Date a surfer. They don’t wear much cologne or perfume if any at all, but the clean scent of ocean, and light citrus undertones of sunscreen on their sun kissed skin will both stimulate and calm you. Salty tastes are addictive. That’s why people can’t eat just one potato chip or a single piece of popcorn. If you kiss their skin, don’t plan on it being the only time.
They taste Like adventure which compliments their taste For adventure.
Date a surfer. They’re not materialistic. Instead of collecting things, they collect moments, memories, and friends. They are fonder of their photo albums than anything else they own. Beyond those albums and their surf quiver, material possessions only weigh them down. Their closet is a mix of t-shirts, board-shorts, tattered jeans, and hoodies. Nothing name brand or particularly expensive, but they always find a combination that looks relaxed and stylish…on the first try.
They won’t shower you in diamonds or traditional jewelry, but they’ll give you something better. A shell or stone, smoothed by the lapping ocean waves, might remind them of you, so they’ll bring it home and leave it on your nightstand with a hand-written note. A true romantic.
Date a surfer. They can make friends anywhere. And they do. So many friends that they could go months without the burden of rent or a mortgage. Their network of available couches and cots spans coastlines worldwide. The loyalty is reciprocated; so when an old friend from Indonesia spends a few nights on your couch, embrace the opportunity to learn about a different culture.
Date a surfer. They are spontaneous. Very spontaneous. This can be frustrating when their spontaneous adventure pulls them in a different direction than you’d planned. But you will appreciate it when you get home from a long workweek and joke about a weekend vacation, and they respond with “Let’s go!”
Date a surfer. They are fearless. They’re not afraid of sharks, and quick to calm your nerves anytime you express concern. They’ll rattle off statistics about how you’re more likely to be killed by a deer than a shark, or that your chance of winning the lottery is much higher than a shark attack. If you’re still worried for their safety, they will lighten the mood with a humorous and statistically-sound solution, handing you a lottery ticket on their way out the door to the beach.
They might not show it often, but they have a nerdy side. It’s easiest to see when you ask them how they know “Thursday is gonna be FIRING!” They’ll explain that they’ve been studying weather patterns and reading buoy levels. That a storm far off the coast is causing a WNW swell, and the current proximity of the moon is causing the tide to result in the perfect height when the storm’s impact reaches the coast.
Date a surfer. They know how to make the most of a small budget. They’ve stretched $100 farther than you can fathom. They’ve paid for a few gallons of gas with nickels, and they are not ashamed about it. The number in their bank account has no correlation to their happiness.
They are thrifty and resourceful, which will come in handy more often than you know.
Date a surfer. They’re a morning person, even on the weekends. The snooze button is a mechanism used when another bite of sleep sounds tastier than whatever you’re waking up to do. They won’t use that button. Because as vivid as the surfing dreams are, they can’t compare to the actual feeling of a duck-dive. Wake up - It's time to ride!
When days/weeks/months pass without waves, they become easily irritated. Understand that it’s not your fault. If you can make it through the calm, the fruits of the storm will be bountiful. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, so a little time away from the ocean will only make them appreciate it even more. Their mood will shift, and the feeling of euphoria will overflow out of them and into you.
Date a surfer.