Surfing x Business

I am a believer in a holistic approach to life, recognizing the interconnectedness of various aspects that captivate me in different realms. Over the past three years, I’ve picked up an interest for surfing. A lot of aspects that come together that I truly enjoy: Being in the water, the warmth of the sun (most of the time), the sense of community, and the thrill of speed. 

Recently, I was contemplating on what lessons I can take from one of my interests to other activities in my life, particularly from my work at Tunga (which is a huge part of my life for the last 8 years) and surfing. Three similarity came to mind that I want to share with you. 

1) Scanning your environment 

In both my professional life at Tunga and my surfing adventures, the art of scanning the environment emerges as a key to success. One must keenly observe market trends, customer preferences, and industry developments to make informed decisions and steer the ship towards growth. Similarly, in the vast expanse of the ocean, I am learning the art of scanning the waves, the winds, and the current, helping me to catch the perfect wave. 

The beautiful part of mastering these skills is that it is a never ending journey and always evolving. Every market development is akin to discovering a new surf spot, complete with its unique tides, currents, and wave breaks that demand constant adaptation. Over the past years, especially the last three years, I've come to realize that sticking to the same strategies and expecting consistent results is futile. The market is in a perpetual state of rapid change, much like the ever-shifting ocean tides and winds.

2) Timing is everything

Life has a rhythm and cycles, and both surfing and my work at Tunga have taught me the significance of impeccable timing. In the ever-changing dynamics of the business world and in business development, finding the right moment to launch a new project, reach out to a lead, seize an opportunity, or pivot a strategy can make all the difference. 

Likewise, when out on the water, mastering the art of timing is crucial in catching the optimal wave. Once you've timed your paddling into a wave perfectly, every subsequent movement and decision must be flawlessly coordinated; otherwise, you risk being engulfed by the force of the wave. This again has a lot of similarities with ceasing opportunities in business. Your timing and preparation only yield a nice result when every step in a crucial and narrow window is executed perfectly. The reward is truly amazing when everything falls into place. Nothing beats the feeling of closing an amazing deal or riding out a wave perfectly.

3) Balance 

Surfing and life are intertwined in their pursuit of balance. In your work life, maintaining a balance between professional responsibilities and personal well-being is crucial for long-term success and fulfilment. While it took me years to find out that long days do not equal better results, I’m happy to had to learn that lesson the hard way. 

The ebb and flow of work, much like ocean waves, require us to accelerate at the right moments, which occasionally results in long days. But also means that I’m occasionally not reachable after 3pm because I’m in the water 😉