Number 76: Surf the Amazonian Tidal Wave ✅

Back Story:

Towards the beginning of last year, I woke up one morning and for some reason felt an impulse to pull up my list of 100 dreams. In honesty, it was the first time I’d done this in a while. I guess over the past few years much of my attention has gone towards my speaking business, which I’m really proud to say is busier than ever, but as tends to happen when one area of our life thrives, we sometimes forget about other areas.

For me, it was my list; I’d not given my bucket list any attention. The result was that I’d been feeling a little flat, as if I was missing a piece of me that gave me access to the joy of travel, adventure, people and ultimately purpose.

This is why I reached for my list on that magical morning and with paper in hand, I browsed over the remaining 24 goals (of 100) from my list, waiting to be struck with a spark of excitement.

Thankfully, after only a few moments, my hope was rewarded when I read Number 76- Surf the Pororoca. 

Not only was I instantly excited, but as if my list had grown a mouth and adopted the voice of a mentor, it posed a silent question that I couldn’t un-hear; why not now?

Sat in my chair, searching for answers, I found none. There was no reason why my goal of surfing the Pororoca had to wait any longer.

What is the Pororoca?

The Pororoca is a tidal wave which runs through the remote Amazon jungle in Brazil. Created by a super moon that’s rises from deep over the Amazonian jungle, a strong tide is enticed from the depths of the mighty Atlantic Ocean, funneling into the mouth of the Amazon where in full force it grows into an ominous tidal wave. Crashing against the banks of the Amazon, the wave rips down trees and awakens wildlife, while at the same time offering the very unique opportunity to surf it.

If that doesn’t get you sat on the edge of your seats, I should also add that the river is also full of alligators and piranha fish.

None of this bothered me though. It was time.

The Gathering of the Troops

Over the last 16 years of checking off goals from my list and also being a part of others doing the same, one of the most surprising things I’ve found is that no matter how outrageous a goal may seem, with full commitment, nothing is out of reach. The interesting extension to that is that on most occasions, the key to unlocking the opportunity is very easy to find. It just requires effort.

With this in mind, the logical first step as I saw it was to go to YouTube and simply type in Pororoca Wave. Now usually with a Google search, I’m instantly met with thousands of results but on this occasion there was a distinct lack of information. I couldn’t find any groups or contact details of anyone who provided information, let alone services to help people like me, but there was one one video that I clicked on that offered me all I needed.

It was of a lone man surfing the Pororoca wave as if perhaps the Amazonian gods had personally gifted him with the right to do so. Gracefully carving lines across these large walls of water, his name flashed up on the screen: Serginho Laus .

Immediately I took to Instagram to see if this surfing warlock had an account and roughly 6 seconds after picking up my phone and typing in his name, I found him! So I did what I’m told is now referred to as sliding into someone’s DM’s- I wrote him a message. 

“Hey legend, my name is Seb and I'm watching a YouTube video of you surfing Pororoca. Epic. I have a bucket list number 76 is to surf the Pororoca. I'd love to connect and chat about it. I'd love any tips or advice. You're the first person I've messaged so I know nothing! Ha ha. Thanks mate.”

Now you may laugh but exactly one hour and 19 minutes later- I got a response:

“That's cool! Pororoca is my life and my specialty. Will be a pleasure to have you with us and help you complete one more challenge on your bucket list. Send me a message in WhatsApp and we can talk more about this project.”

Immediately, I picked up the phone and called Serginho. Five minutes after that, we had agreed that I would fly to the Amazon in four months time to join him for what would be the next, super moon Pororoca wave.

After looking at this goal on my bucket list for over 15 years, all it took was one message and suddenly this dream was within touching distance

By the time I jumped on board a plane to Brazil, some months later, I found I wasn’t alone. Tyler Lord, a gifted Camera Man who had filmed me speaking on stage at an event in Nashville months earlier turned out to be not just a great guy, but an avid surfer. When I asked him if he’d be interested in coming to film, he immediately said ‘YES and if I get to surf as well, I'll do it for free!’ A deal had been struck.

And as for equipment, well through a chance encounter with Dylan Slater from Firewire Surfboards , I was generously gifted two epic Boards to help ensure that we had the best chances of riding this challenging and unknown wave. Layered on top of a team that Serginho had hand picked to help drive the jet skis, and transport us  I couldn't help but smile as I saw that this journey was no longer a solo experience but something to be created and shared, together.

The following 9 minute video captures every part of the journey. The fear, the alligators, the waves and the tears (watch till the end). My journey to the Pororoca was nothing short of profound. It moved me. It found me. It inspired me. I truly feel different from surfing that wave.

At the end of the trip, stood on the side of the Amazon, Serginhio, now a close friend, looked at me and said that we were living our best lives. I nodded and smiled. Flying out of Brazil the next day I thought about this statement and tried to actually unpack what it means. 

What actually is living your best life?

It means being intentional with the choices you make so that your subsequent actions awaken your soul, one goal at a time.

Only then, with the bravery and trust to commit your body, mind and spirit to your most meaningful dreams, will you bring to life the endless possibility of your potential, revealing your true magic, first to yourself and then to the world. 

Honor your soul ✨ 

Choose your dreams 💭 

Fully commit 💪

Share your magic 🪄 

I hope this story makes you smile and if you’re not already, I hope it helps you consider what living your best life looks like, before then making it happen!

Thanks for reading.

Seb