|
Possibilities in 2008
First things first, January 28th 2008 is the ten year anniversy of the largest waves ever surfed. Before January 28th 1998 it was unimaginable that surfers could ride waves in the sixty to 100 foot plus size. Ten years later and this unprecedented experience, which raised the bar of human possibility, has yet to be repeated and more than likely never will. 
What makes the massive swell of January 28th 1998 stand out is not only the fact that the largest waves in history were actually surfed but also that the majority of the world's best big wave surfers declined to go out. This was also the first time in history the Eddie Aikau big wave surfing contest was postponed due to "surf deemed humanly impossible to ride!"
At the time virtually every "big wave surfer" lifeguard and waterman felt to enter the ocean that day would be sheer suicide, the waves were just too big. The Willis brothers along with big wave surfers Cheyne Horan and Sam Hawk saw it differently. Where others saw impossibility we instead saw possibility.
Seeing the possibility was one thing acting on it another. It took courage and belief to get off the beach and into the roaring ocean that day. Courage because we knew if something was to go wrong, if something terrible did happen, no one, not the lifeguards, fellow surfers or even angles would be there to help. Should something go array the only one you could depend on would be yourself.
Contrary to what one might think it was not a haphazard decision to go surfing this day it was rather a calculated one. We had trained and prepared for years for an opportunity to come like this. A very real opportunity to test our mettle, fortitude and our very own definition of what is truly possible.
With every opportunity comes challenge and responsibility. Challenge as in risks that are involved, responsibility as in ability to respond. When opportunity knocked, unlike many others, we were not only ready for it we embraced it passionately, aware of the risks, and prepared to respond.
The fact that we surfed the world's largest waves is important only to a few. More importantly to many is how we were able to accomplish surfing the world's largest waves. The answer is TEAMWORK.
It took a team to accomplish surfing the world's largest waves just as it took a team to put a man on the moon. Though thought impossible by others we teamed up and began working on what we thought could be possible. First and foremost we had the vision and belief we could do it, even though the majority said we couldn't. Secondly we acted on that vision and belief as individuals and as a collective whole. Our team consisted of a Jet Ski driver and a surfer. Interchangeable, the driver and surfer were equally responsible for the success of the quest. It did not matter whose job it was to check "the details" from the simple to the complicated it was everyone's job. You may have been the captain but you still watched out for the crew you may have been the crew but you still watched out for the captain. All for one, one for all. If you went in the ocean and the Jet Ski happened to begin sinking because your partner did not put the rubber stop plug in the onus nonetheless was on you for not backing up your partner. Being on a team doesn't just mean being on the same side it also means working side by side, watching out for yourself and each other. No matter the rank or position high or low everyone individually on a team is responsible for the success of the team.
A big wave is comprised of a bunch of little waves that formed together to create it. TEAMWORK at it's best! Just as the little waves team together to become a powerful force in nature individuals teaming together can become a powerful force in human nature. I can, you can, working together as a team WE CAN help make the world a better place, succeed when they say we cannot and show the believers of the impossible what is really possible.
Will waves ever reach the size of January 28th 1998 again? Sooner or later yes. When it does happen will the majority of the world's best big wave surfers take flight and flee from opportunity as they did during Biggest Wednesday? Maybe not, the door has already been opened, the way already shown. It's easy to follow difficult to lead.
2008 is ripe with unprecedented opportunity for mankind and individuals alike. Let us hope the year 2008 extends the boundaries of human accomplishment, raises the bar of human enlightenment, and extends the perceptions of what is truly possible. World peace perhaps
back to top >> |
