“I connect, serve, and love all people regardless of belief, actions, sexual orientation or religious convictions. Chaplains offer service impartiality, displaying love for the whole person.” Photo: Christian Surfers/Facebook
There is no denying it has been a turbulent few months for the world surfing community. With the death of a great Australian 1964 world champion Midget Farrelly in early August, the untimely passing of champion bloke and WSL head of security Dave “Woody” Wood last week, uncertainty and a heaviness hang in the air. Added into this mix are some close and controversial results that have had surfers questioning the system and themselves. I’m sure there is a lot of inner–and at times, outer–angst being expressed.
There have been some excellent pieces written about the need for assistance. Brad Farmer from Surfers Against Suicide urged us all to ask for help in times like these. We all need help at some stage in our life, and asking for it is completely normal and should be easy. Not many, however, find it easy. Many just don’t know who to ask.
In the world of competitive athletes and surfers, strength and resilience is a common and valued trait. I am concerned that physical strength and athletic ability do not always equal the inner and different kind of strength that we need to navigate all that life throws at us. In elite surfing, everyone has a vested interest in the athletes. This means often the others associated with the athlete derive something from them, whether it is income, profile, or something else the surfer provides. Even friends and other competitors have vested interests.
The sponsors have a relationship that can rise and fall with the athletes’ results, as can the coach and staff or support team. These are called invested interests where money, time and effort have been invested into the athlete to hopefully produce the desired result. Interestingly, the competition organisers and companies have a similar form of relationship with the athletes. A controversial result or some dissatisfied group of competitors can reflect on a contest and a tour in the same way that stoked and exuberant competitors and amazing surf conditions can reflect on an event. These types of relationships exist across all sports at all levels.
This vested or invested nature of surfing is on all levels. Parents and partners are invested in seeing their surfers do well. The surfers’ friends and travel partners on the tour are also fellow competitors. They often end up being direct competitors and combatants. The sponsors and tour derive income from the athletes’ performance. See how convoluted and overlapping the layers of vested and invested into lives and results becomes? Who has an independent listening ear that they can turn to?
I am saddened to hear of amazing competitors–and people in general–who lack self-esteem when an expected result doesn’t happen. When the glory of competition fades, what is left? I am equally saddened to see a seemingly strong man overcome by inner turmoil and grief.
Outside of surfing, we have seen this reflected in the journey of Michael Phelps and Rhonda Rousey. Both outstanding athletes have struggled with self-worth and thoughts of dissatisfaction with life, despite being champions in their chosen fields.
It is into this environment that I, as a voluntary chaplain, offer a difference. You see, chaplains do not have a vested interest in the results of the competitors. We do not work for the contest directors, the tour, or the surfers. Our service is voluntary and independent, and we are a safe, independent, impartial place of encouragement and solace offered to the surf culture.
Wendell Pierce said that “culture is the intersection of people and life itself. It’s how we deal with life, love, death, birth, disappointment… all of that is expressed in culture.” The surfing culture’s traditional custodians the Hawaiian Polynesians have always seen the inclusion of a “Kahu”, a priest, as an important part of surf culture, recognising its spiritual significance as a holistic, intrinsic lifestyle.
Chaplains provide a person to disclose things to that are not often shared with others; a person to seek help from or feedback in an impartial way. The chaplains have an unconditional ethos to serve others. I connect, serve, and love all people regardless of belief, actions, sexual orientation or religious convictions. Chaplains offer service impartiality, displaying love for the whole person. Chaplains are not there to convert people. Chaplains value people for their humanity and consider all equally valuable and deserving of love.
The chaplain is not a psychologist or counsellor, although some have that training. We are a conduit, a hub of referral. A network and gateway to other help givers. A safe, private, non-vested, first stop on a long journey to wholeness. Wholeness in life and inclusiveness in attitude.
Wholeness is what chaplaincy is about. Caring for the whole athlete and person, mind, body and soul regardless of belief, race, creed, results or position. The chaplain is also someone who equally cares for the wholeness of the event staff, organisers, workers, and associated significant others. A friendly face regardless of results, a confidant in times of need, a steady presence in times of emotion and a constant reassuring presence. It has been my privilege to serve as chaplain at many events. Outside of events, I have performed funerals and paddle out memorials, officiated weddings, and assisted surfers who are transitioning into retirement. The surfing culture is my culture and the surfers are my tribe. As a chaplain, I long to serve them.
While much of chaplaincy is event-based, the connections and care of the chaplain extend into the everyday lives of the athletes. The service doesn’t cease when to hooter sounds and the scaffolding is disassembled. I am connecting and contacting athletes and staff outside of events, seeking to encourage, chat and listen. As a chaplain, I am always available to athletes and staff.
Chaplaincy is a free service supported by donations. This ensures that the service can remain independent and impartial. This service is always offered but not always picked up on and is available to all competitions in any arena of surfing on any surf craft.
Please feel free to contact Christian Surfers International to ask any questions or if you would like the services of a chaplain at an event.
