SLO LIFE Jun/Jul 2017

each, to taking paddle boards out into the sea, and learning different
ocean dynamics, and learning the different variables in and around our
coastlines. During that period of time, kids will go through the most
incredible growth process socially, mentally, physically, psychologically. We
started off that first year with 28 kiddos and now we’ve built it up to 200.
And, out of that 200, every year I’ll have three or four kids who are losing
their minds; they don’t want to go into the sea. They are the ones I love the
most because of the challenge.
Expand on that, if you would. Because they haven’t been brought up
around the ocean, it challenges me to come up with the right words, body
language, and guidance to help introduce them to this amazing experience.
I’ll look around at the group during the first day and say to myself, “Okay,
which one is it going to be?” And you kind of see the ones who are a little
bit timid by their body language and everything. And by the end of the
five-week session these kids are animals, just going for it. They completely
evolve and open up socially, athletically, and by the end of the day you
can’t get them out of the ocean; they won’t leave. To me, that is the best
satisfaction and gratification in the world because I get to see those results
each and every day. Honestly, it’s probably one of the greatest feelings
I’ve had because you’re dealing with young lives, educating young minds,
unlocking something that otherwise may have never been unlocked.
Is there a kid that stands out in your mind? Oh, wow, there are so many.
Just a week ago or so I had a dad come out and tell me that his teenage
son wasn’t going to be doing Junior Guards again this year. He’s a sizeable
kiddo, probably 6’ or 6’1”, fourteen years old, and he’s oscillating, like
so many teenagers start to do. He’s oscillating, but still interested, still
harvestable. So, I pull him aside and sort of get in his face a little bit and
ask him, “So, you’re joining Junior Guards this year, right?” He’s like, “No.
No. I don’t know. I don’t know.” He’s kind of grumbling, kind of growling,
and I tell him, “That doesn’t sound right to me, man. I’m going to ask you
again. Are you doing Junior Guards this year?” He’s kind of looking down
and saying, “I just don’t think I’m in shape.” So, I respond, “That’s not
what I want to hear. It sounds to me like you really need this right now.”
And so I went into this ten-minute, like Tony Robbins session with this
kiddo. “Listen, I’m not going to force you. I’m not going to tell you that
you should do it. I’m going to leave it up to you. I’m going to let you walk
away right now. And you’re going to dream about this tonight. You don’t
have to make a decision now, but tryouts are, in fact, tomorrow. So, I’m
going to leave you with this choice.” By the end of that day, the dad runs
up to me on the beach and he was kind of emotional and he says, “Hey, >>
40 | SLO LIFE MAGAZINE | JUN/JUL 2017