I have wanted to do CSC profiles for a long time, but just like everything else, too much surfing got in the way of my productivity. “If you’re working in the business, you’re not working on the business,” is the old saying that Barry Green of Centered Surfing reminded me of the other day when we were on a call about a podcast he’s been working on (and which will feature yours truly — stay tuned). The first CSC profile features Norva Bennett. Norva has been a CSC mainstay. She is fun to work with because she really gets the holistic picture of surfing. By day Norva owns, runs, and practices holistic healing at ShenShuAcupuncture. Here’s an interview I did with her this week:
D: What brought you to surfing? How long was surfing on your radar and what pushed you over the edge to make it a part of your lifestyle?
N: I have always loved the water. I was the first kid in and last out of any pool or lake. The year I turned 40, I decided to travel for one week every month, to do things I always wanted to. So I did some research and booked a Surf with Amigas trip. I always wanted to learn and finally had the financial ability to do so.
There was this one paddle out on the trip I which I totally messed up the timing and truly was smashed set after set. I had no idea how I was going to make it but I had no choice. The ocean was bigger than me ..... so I had to show up in that very moment completely. That’s when surfing became a part of my heart.
D: What has your practice and progress been like from your perspective?
N: Well I was never in a sport before, so my progress may be on a bit of the slower side yet I feel I make up for that in the time I put in practicing. There is no finish line I’m working towards. It really just about having fun, getting proficient, and doing something that is just for me. When I’m out in the ocean nothing else matters, I can just be free.
D: What is the thing that you're currently trying to work through the most in your surfing? What is difficult about it?
N: That’s a tough question, timing I would say. Just getting the timing down and what makes that difficult is that it will just click one day. I can’t force it yet I have to keep going out and surrendering to the process. This makes this difficult because I have to practice patience with myself. Also New York is so inconsistent . . .
D: Do you supplement your surfing practice with any other kinds of preparation?
N: Workouts, stretching, visualizing balance boards, yoga. Even bought a long board skateboard which has been fun to play with.
D: Who are your favorite surfers to watch videos of or to follow on instagram? What do you like about their surfing?
N: Lola Mignot — dances with the sea. It’s how I want to surf with ease and grace; Carissa Moore — insert mic drop — because she is just amazing; Giulia Manfrini — between surf and skateboarding she is fun to follow; and Tiara Jones — she is a surfer that does not fit into the normal box. I don’t think she is a professional, just someone being authentic.
D: Do you have a favorite session or trip you have had with CSC? Why was it memorable?
N: My trips to Costa Rica. Truly everyone equals a huge breakthrough. Literally just practicing everyday, focusing on one thing in every session and then accomplishing it to move on to the next. It’s a magical place.
Norva nailing a bomb in Costa Rica.
D: How do you think body type affects one's surfing progress? Have you come to learn things about how your own body reacts with different boards and waves?
Body types totally affect surfing. It’s all about weight distribution. I’m a curvy gal, you put me on a nine foot board and someone who weighs 95 pounds on the same board the wave is going to carry us differently. Height and weight to matter as it changes the center of gravity. When we are surfing we are literally balancing ourselves on the wave.
Not only that there is the length of arms/torso/legs. All of this comes into play when learning.
D: Do you have a favorite surf buddy or two? Why do you like surfing with them?
I do. Surf buddies help motivate you and push yourself to get better. They help you motivate in cold temps to even get in the water, see your progression, have compassion for yourself.
D: Where do you see your surfing in five years?
N: Well besides being better I just want to keep having fun. Maybe in five years I’ll be able to hang 5. That would be totally fun.
D: Any advice or words of wisdom for other adult beginners?
N: Remember to just have fun. If surfing was just about popping up on a board everyone would do it. But it’s about so may different dynamics. You have to learn the break, the waves, the wind, your board, keep control over your board, lineups, how to surf with others, the list goes on forever. If you ever feel stuck, surrender to what you’re working on and change you focus.
“No finish line”: just empty lineups!