PASSING THE DOWN TIME FOR SURFERS

by Corky Carroll

It is hard to really even comprehend what has happened in our world over the past couple of weeks.  This horrible virus thing has come on so fast and so dramatically that it has left most of us with our heads spinning in disbelief.  What?  We gotta stay in the house?  What?  No surfing, going to the movies, out to eat, hangin’ at the bar for happy hour?  For many it’s also no work, no income, no things that are way more important than no going to the movies or out to eat.  It’s landed on my life just like all of yours.  I had heart surgery scheduled for April 1st, now it’s postponed until ????  Other stuff too, but I am sure many are in worse situations. 
 
Yeah, these are crazy times and we are told to stay in the house and ride it out.  I hope all of you are on board with this too, this is something we all need to buy into together.  So, as surfers and used to paddling out and riding waves, screaming at kuks dropping in on us, checkin’ out the babes and being just the generally cool and bitchin’ people that surfers are, whaddawe gonna do shut up in the house for who knows how long?  This goes against nature.  But we gotta do it. 
 
With this in mind I have been getting bombarded with questions on how to cope.  Off the top of my head, here are a few ideas on ways to pass your non surfing hours in the house and away from other people.  I am sure some of you have already thought of these, but if not I hope this helps.  And, if you have any ideas of your own please pass them along.

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Corky's BMS Cool Water Classics 100% Cotton long sleeve T-shirts by Quiksilver.

Watch old surf videos.  If you have a collection of vintage movies this is a great time to kick back and relive the rides of the great surfing yesteryears.  Check out the boards and the styles and how surfing has evolved into what it looks like today.  And, if you have a good collection it would be a nice gesture for you to offer to share them with pals who might not have anything on hand to watch. 
 
Read those surfing books that have been laying around that somebody gave you but you have never really had time to actually read.  You know the ones.  You probably glanced through them and looked at the photos, but never have actually taken the time to read them.  (Here comes my blatant plug).  And, if you haven’t gotten it yet, this is the perfect time to get my new book “NOT DONE YET.”  It is available in both paperback and download versions from CorkysNotDoneYet.com.  Use the caps and small letters as shown. 
 
For those of you who play music or create art, this is a great time to do both of those.  And, for those of you who don’t do either or those but have wanted to and have never really taken the time to try, what a perfect time to learn how.  Fill up those hours with things that might be fulfilling in the long run. 
 
This is also a perfect chance to patch all those little dings on your board or boards that have been bugging you but are really too small to take the time out of the water to mess around with.  For those of you who like to clean your wax, clean it.  I have never been one of those, I have to admit.  I let my wax build up to big bumps of dirty goo, probably adding tons of weight to my boards.  But, in my defense, I don’t slip much.  Most people like their boards to look all good and neat, and that is fine and dandy.  Heck, I might have to break down and clean mine if I get THAT bored.  The idea is to do stuff that adds up to something at the end of the day. 
 
My list for today started with writing this column, taking tons of energy and brain working overtime kinda pressure.  Next up is an adventure through the NETFLIX guide to see what’s on.  That should take me right up to afternoon nap time.  It’s important to be strong and well rested (ok, at least well rested).  After that there is sunset watching, dinner, desert and then the grueling chore of working on tomorrows list of exciting indoor activities. 
 
Topping the list is staying safe and helping others do the same.  As I said, we are all in this together.