Tribe of Zen

Don't Date A Surfer

Don’t date a surfer. Don’t do it. Trust me. You’ll always come second to the waves. They wake up with the sun. You’ll squint your eyes open just to see them wide awake. They check up on all the surf reports as they roll out of bed, and jump into a pair of board shorts or into a teeny bikini. They then cover their sun-kissed skin in thick sunscreen that makes you wonder if their skin can even breathe.

They’ll throw you that smile, that bright white smile, and it makes it all worth it.

But don’t date a surfer. Even if you go with them to the beach their eyes stay locked on the horizon. They watch the waves break and wait for the tide. They answer your questions while they look. What they are looking for? You have no idea. But whatever it is when they see it, they will take off at a sprint trying to get into the ocean.

They have no plans, except to surf when the surf is right. They know disappointment and discipline. They learned respect and playfulness. They are otters or dolphins in the water as they battle or befriend every challenge in their path.

They will surf the morning away in a sea of guys and gals until they breathe their last salty breath and give into their last wave. They have fought for their place in the water and spreads smiles while they do it.

Don’t date a surfer. They knows what they want and know how to get it.

Panting and pulling at their board shorts or bikini ties, they finally wash ashore but now is not your moment. It’s time for them to eat before sleeping the afternoon sun away and recharge for the next session which could be 3 hours from now.

Don’t date a surfer. They’ll chase a good wave even if it’s hours away. They get a call or see a picture and they load up the car. They are committed and loving to you but they will answer every call from the swell.

They have more swimsuits than underwear and rock a fresh face with matching bruises and tan-lines. They have no time for hairbrushes and big fancy meals. They can get glammed up, but will have nothing to wear.

If you date a surfer and keep them from the waves they will dream their night’s away, wave after wave. They will flip on all the newest surf documentaries or pick up a skateboard.

If you date a surfer and you keep them from the waves they will dream of the day when they can surf day after day...after day...after day.

So, don’t date a surfer if you can’t handle the sea. They are the ocean, and not for you to tame. They flow with the weather, follow the moon. They think with their soul and dance on water.

Don’t date a surfer. They get goosebumps from drops and tingles from fear. They stare at walls of water with a smile and fall from heights as they tumble. They get tossed in currents and get sliced by coral. They bleed scarlet red as they paddle for another wave, so don’t date a surfer.

You’ll tease them about sharks, urchins, crocs and jellyfish. They’ll look around and say “nah” as they leave you behind. You’ll ask them to need you, to show fear and be there. Instead, they’ll wax up their board and leave you their footprints to watch.

It’s not that the surf is more important. It is that they are the ocean and much like a river eventually finds the sea, they cannot stay away.

No matter where they are or what they do, they will be free. They are always in motion, passionate and swirling. They are the ocean in everything they do.

That’s why despite everything I have said you will date a surfer, you will see the depths in their eyes.

When you date a surfer dance with them in the wild, open your passions and let your moonshine glow. They are the ocean, you are their tides.