The Power of Waves
A wave is powerful. There is no controlling it. It’s strong and forceful. But they are beautiful, artistic, and liberating. See how waves could impact your life…
The north coast of Cornwall is rugged, with headlands that open up onto the Atlantic Ocean. Waves power into the coast, with an almighty force, whilst many surfers await, ready to make the most of the towering water as it breaks. Having spent a lot of my childhood in Cornwall and still returning to this day, I always take the chance to get out on the water.
Obviously waves are powerful things, but there is more to their power than meets the eyes and I wanted to explore their true power.
A wave breaks when it wants, it is as powerful as it wants, the wave couldn’t care less if you’re riding it or not. There is no controlling it. It’s just you responding and reacting to the wave. Your reaction is all you can control. This creates a connection, a relationship between you and the water. One that you are a part of, but just to observe and react, all you can do is do your best and the wave will do its own thing. This connection is natural and raw, just you and the elements, nothing else is interfering or interrupting.
This connection with what’s around you and the earth, as you are riding the wave to the shore, also forms with fellow surfers riding the wave. Enjoying that same moment and experience, unique in many ways.
Nothing else is in the way or is there to disturb or interrupt you, there is a indisputable focus on the present. As if time is slowing down, watching the colours, ripples and feeling the undercurrent, strength and force of the wave. Lots of this happens subconsciously but this focus on the present can be hard to replicate elsewhere.
Waves are continuous, if you miss one, another is on the horizon. If you mess it up, then you can try again on the next. You just do your best and keep at it. There is something liberating about the idea you can just try again the next day and that’s ok. No pressure, limit or finiteness.
The artistic nature of the waves swirling, building and crashing is beautiful to watch, especially up close. It’s as if the movement has emotion, yet is unaware and not caring of what’s in front. As if it has a mind of it’s own.
The true power of waves is more than just the force of the water then.
