Balgowlah’s Robert Kenn spent time with surfers writing his new book
A passion for coastal life combined with a desire to help others has culminated in a new book from Balgowlah resident Robert Kenn, Wisdom from the Ocean, which shares life lessons from the waters that surround us.
Born far from the shore in South London, Robert grew up going on camping holidays to the British coast and always felt a strong pull to the water, telling PL that it ‘nourishes his soul.’
He answered that siren song by emigrating to the Northern Beaches as a young man. “Several times a week I drive to the ocean at Manly and still, after all these years, I feel fortunate to live by the beach,” he says.
Robert spent time talking with surfers from Curl Curl and beyond for the book. Each chapter is centred around a conversation the author has had with a different surfer, and the life lessons they have discovered while at one with the water.
It also looks at the power the surf wields over all parts of life and contains a host of practical lessons for living more authentically. “I was talking to a friend when we were both in our fifties and we were wishing we had been taught some of these crucial things at an earlier stage,” Robert says.
He admits that his book is ‘perhaps most relatable’ to those in their twenties and thirties, although anyone can take something from it.
Robert himself, a former chair of the 100% Project, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to ensure gender equality in leadership across Australia, says that he has ‘learnt so much’ during writing.
Robert discovers how the surfers have transferred ocean-inspired teachings into everyday life. Topics in the book include relationship dilemmas: ‘Finding the perfect partner is like finding your perfect wave, don’t hold yourself back by searching for perfection, commit once you’ve made a choice – waves change, and so do people.’ It also covers mental health struggles and making life decisions.
‘We’ve all been there – exhausted by one of life’s waves, or maybe it’s turned into a rip. We struggle to keep afloat. Crippled by the fear of the unknown. Hesitant to dive in,’ says the book. It encourages readers to adopt strategies to allow them to keep afloat during life’s shifting tides, transforming from merely surviving to thriving and embracing the challenges.
“One of the most powerful conversations I had while researching the book was with a surfer who likened his life at that time to being pummeled by the waves – everything was going wrong. He had even contemplated sinking to the depths and escaping from his life, but knew that he had to put his hand up and ask for help.
“We all need that helping hand sometimes and should not be ashamed to ask for it,” says Robert, referencing the high rate of youth suicide on the Northern Beaches.
Author Robert Kenn
The ocean also teaches us about parity – everyone is equal with a wetsuit on. Class and wealth, or lack thereof, fall away in the waves and mentorship, friendship and guidance rise up to take precedence.
Instead of society’s materialism, it’s the conduct of each individual that tells the story. The rough and tumble of the ocean also teaches us to own our fears, to let excuses fall away and to enjoy the art of trying, failing and getting back up on that board to try again.
Wisdom from the Ocean urges everyone to live their life with the focus of a surfer – get into the zone, give your all to one task at a time, commit to putting the effort in each day, promote your own wellbeing and ride towards the perfect solution.
After all, as Robert’s book says, you ‘get the best waves by turning up every day.’
Robert will give a free talk on Wisdom from the Ocean at Manly Library on 8 December. Book via Humanitix.
Wisdom from the Ocean is available from Amazon or bespokeEXP.com. Use discount code PENLIVING15 for 15% off the RRP before the end of December.
