We know that there are things such as a “Surfer’s Wish” for Christmas time, and also a coveted gift list behind every eager surfer, but at this time of year we know that there will be an entire line-up of surfers that will design their ideal “moment of clarity” choices in the form of new year’s day resolutions. Consider it a “do over” that we all partake in as a culture; in some form or another, we seemingly have another go at redemption, change, performing good deeds, and forming better habits. Call it making a better surfer at this time of year!

Some people are born to love change and challenges, adapt quickly to new routines or drop unproductive habits, as well as seek new experiences. Conversely, others have great difficulty in sticking with a new or challenging routine, and slip back into following patterns that have always been comfortable. Indeed, change is hard for most of us.

Although ultimate change must come from within, we know that having a strong and willing support group (especially in surfing) is key in reinforcing changes we want to make. New behaviors must be repeated over and over before they can become habits … and help is something we all can use according to the Beatles!

We couldn’t come up with a definitive list of what most surfers consider as resolutions for the new year, so we decided to throw it out there and see what form of change we wanted to see in ourselves (and each other) … and this is what we came up with. Collectively, we raised our hands in solemn solidarity, and promised to hold each other accountable to these resolutions.

I WILL:

• surf an additional day a week this year than I did last year.
• get into the water before 6am at least three times a week for 3 continuous months
• pick up at least 5 pieces of trash on the beach on my way back from each surf session
• stretch my body for 15 minutes before every surf session
• go to the gym and work out four days a week, for at least an hour each day
• buy less surf-related products that I don’t absolutely need
• search out and use only earth friendly surf products
• only use biodegradable wax on my surfboards
• surf an hour longer per session than I did last year
• only ride my bicycle to go surfing instead of driving my car
• go to church on Sundays, and then go surf
• car pool to surf breaks instead of driving individually
• wake up an hour earlier each day to do yoga or go surf
• donate an old surfboard from my quiver when I buy a new one
• drink a liter of water before every surf session
• always wear sunscreen when I surf
• not allow a boy (or girl?) to guilt me into not surfing every weekend
• surf at a new surf break every other weekend starting this weekend
• volunteer my time with a surf organization that helps kids every weekend for 6 months
• not ever ever ever ever buy a surfboard from Costco!
• take swimming lessons once a week to become a better swimmer
• write one new surf article a week for the website
• focus on me and my surfing instead of chasing guys for validation
• never use getting more sleep as an excuse to not to surf

There are more, lots more, but we wanted to see what everyone’s new year’s resolutions are … surf related or not … so that we may be able to steal them and use it to make better surfers out of ourselves! Happy New Year to all! Aloha!