Surf Psychotherapy and laserbeam focus

Working for surf camps, living in a van, does not always provide me with the opportunity to sit behind a desk, and do computerwork. I really have to discipline myself, find space, and get to it. I recently rediscovered how I appreciate a good desk. I used to have a 'desk routine'. Decluttering it, stacking papers, putting everything aside, for free movement of hands and thought. I'm in a cafe now. An icecream cafe called Venezia Ice. I haven't had any icecream yet, coffee and a sandwich so far. It's an establishment facing the boulevard in a newly developed urban area in between Tamraght and Taghazout. This place really breathes the ambition and vision for this area. The tagine's, goats, and dusty roads seem far away here. Wearing a new piece of garment today! It's a baseball shirt I got as a present from former colleague and friend Sunshine Ray. It feels good on my body. I played baseball for ten years in my adolescant years. The 'slightly sharp rub' of the stiff seams on the bicep, a feeling I remember from baseball shirts, and don't mind. Anyway, that's enough for mood, and location setting for now. The first part of the title to this post is 'Surf Psychotherapy', and you may wonder 'Where the f* is this going?'.

Recently in my job as surf guide for Mint Surf in Morocco - a wonderful surf camp in Tamraght - I was able to draw up a 'Personal Development Plan' for two guests. And not just any guests, both worked in a renowned University in the United Kingdom. One in Computer science, the other in English literature. The way the Plan is structured, makes that a surfer 'cuts through' his/her own BS, and puts her/his feet firmly back on the ground, to see clearly where the surfer is, in terms of level and development. Speaking about motivation, frustrations and goals, the interview makes up a 'cross section' of ones abilities, experience, aspirations, and 'weak spots'. One of my guests, laying down on a sofa, leaning against a big cushion, commented at the end of our interview that she enjoyed this 'Surf Psychotherapy' session a lot. Psychotherapy sounds more scary than it is. It's basically talking. Processing one's thoughts, beliefs (whether true or limitting), and self-learned behavior. As surfers, our limitting beliefs may come out in the water, translated into certain behavior. Speaking openly, in a safe environment, surfing can become the metaphore for stuff that's going on in our lives, and may give the reflections for our 'patterns' leading to the same sort of behavior we show, which may not always serve us well. It's the 'same old story' we often recognise ourselves telling, or portraying out there in life or in the waves. I may have found myself a niche, and future job title, being Surf Psychiatrist ;-)... Jokes aside, after we finished the interview, both guests had organized their 'surfing self image' and knew what to work on in order to improve. A day later, I sat down with their plans, and started adding short term 'session goals' on all areas we identified. This resulted in 'laserbeam focus' for both surfers, going home, and preparing for their first session back home in England. The feedback I received the week after was that both had improved, and already achieved some of their 'next session goals'. It was the best feedback I could receive, and I'm grateful for having been able to help them, and receiving such stoked messages back. Find their review below: 'My wife and I had a great time with Ivo surf guiding us. He was much more than just a surf guide though as he was able to give us some great surfing tips both in and out of the water. He has excellent knowledge of all the main breaks and lesser known ones in the area. We also had some really nice adventures when we weren’t surfing and got a chance to explore the local area and experience the culture. He was great fun to be around - a kindred spirit- and someone we’ll stay in touch with.' - Adam Would you also like to have your progression in surfing get more clear? With more structured goals, broken down into bitesize session goals, and get exercises that work for you, tailored to your needs? Get in touch by sending me a DM on the gram (@sackedsurftour or @ivoberg), and we will start the conversation. Maybe not as your surf psychiatrist, just your coach for now. I'd be stoked to receive your message(s)! Take it easy. IB.