"Surfers, can't we just get along?" This was the desperate plea of a surfer bewildered by the seeming "war for waves" going on in the water. Seems that many surf spots are starting to look more like those coveted public tennis courts on a week-end! As any one will tell you, when the line-up starts to get packed, that's when the moment of truth comes-how long will harmony reign before it is breached by someone who figures it's "their spot"?
The stories abound of horrendous "local takeovers", beaches becoming Balkanized and carved up into turfs. From Swamis and Wind 'n Sea in the South to the Ranch and other secret spots to the cold North, the pressures of modern society seem to have some people over the edge. One recalls the ultra-coveted Velzyland on the North Shore in the late '60's, where locals planted their own mine-field of broken glass in a desperate attempt to keep the stand-up tubes to themselves!
No doubt this dilemma was on the mind of the Sfat Emet (z"l) as he commented on the Torah portion (Truma- or "contribution, charity"). "Unto me is the siver and gold," our Creator tells the prophet Hagai. The question is asked, if everything belongs to the Creator of Heaven and Earth, why must this "giving" of an offering in order to build the tabernacle be a special thing? We are told that the act of giving, offering, and sharing of our own wealth causes us a great merit as well as "elevating" the material world.
The intelligent surfer understands also that "unto him are the waves", as can plainly be inferred, and therefore our working things out will make for a better planet!
Spring's coming, the water'll be getting warmer, and a Mediterranean Surf and Soul trip is the best cure for the Winter doldrums!