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For me it was board sports in general, including snowboarding and surfing. Both are unique and amazing in their own right. For surfing, I had always assumed it
by mdolon 8y ago
For me it was board sports in general, including snowboarding and surfing. Both are unique and amazing in their own right.
For surfing, I had always assumed it was a hippie thing bored Californians did. It wasn't until I tried it one summer in Hawaii that I realized the level of physical and mental resilience you need to surf, or the meditative aspects of it. The bulk of my time surfing is not spent standing on a surfboard but rather paddling out or staring at the ocean, waiting for the right wave.
Similarly, after snowboarding in the mountains of Vermont a couple of winters ago, my whole perception of mountain sports changed. While it's physically demanding, there is a zen-like calmness to it as well. That paired with the gorgeous mountain scenery is quite special.
- matt_the_bass 8y agoI agree. One aspect I like is that it forces you to put your daily life aside and focus on the current moment. I really like scuba diving for this same reason.
- actf 8y agoI also really enjoy board spots in general, and I find there seems to be something unique about them that attracts introverts like myself, even though snowboard/board-sport culture can sometimes be a bit "bro-ey". I often find myself acting more extroverted and easily making friends while snowboarding/surfing/skateboarding. I think it has to do with the simplicity, independent nature of board sports, and the self-reliant DIY attitude. There actually seems to be a lot of parallels to hacker culture, which is what I think makes it really unique when compared to other sports. I'd really encourage others to try them, as they are a great way to get out of the tech bubble, make friends, and be active. They really aren't all that difficult to get started with. The learning curve is steep but short, and for the most part they aren't all that expensive.