We were lucky to catch up with Jenny Brown recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jenny , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Crazy stuff happening is almost as certain as death and taxes – it’s technically “unexpected” but something unexpected happening is to be expected and so can you share a crazy story with our readers

Weather, waves and wind are always a factor in surfing. We have felt the mighty power of micro burst created by thunder storms. Once during camp we had to gather all the kids and parents that may have been at camp with strollers and younger siblings. The wind picked up to 70 knots and boards flew over our surf school tent as myself and a few instructors held the tent from blowing away. Other instructors, kids and strollers ran to seek shelter in a near by home. It felt a little like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. Now I can laugh and wow what a trip it was. These experiences give me courage and raw intuition.

Jenny , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My life has revolved around the ocean since I was small. My life has always been influenced by the ocean. Growing up fishing with my Dad, surfing with friends and meeting my husband at age 21, who is a life long, die hard surfer all instilled a love of the sea for me. We fixed up a sailboat and lived in the Bahamas for a few years, BC , before children. We lived aboard for 7 years and had our first child on the boat for 3 years. Time spent on the water absorbed in the beauty of the ocean taught me so much.
I knew I had to create a life around surfing and being immersed in nature is where I come alive.
Shaka Surf School was born out of passion for surfing and helping others experience her healing. My best friend Moira and I started without even a vehicle to transport our boards. We had 2 students and when we started seeing more business we didn’t even have enough boards. Its really amazing that you can accomplish anything you believe in with your heart.
I knew first hand how the power of the ocean transforms all so I wanted to share that love with others.

Kids are amazing with their sense of curiosity and raw courage! I absolutely LOVE working with kids. They inspire me to appreciate the moment and they are so honest. Oh and they laugh all the time so yeah I want that energy around me for sure!

I am most proud of the work I do with other women. I have taught yoga and meditation for over 25 years and surfing really opens the door of moment to moment presence. You are able to get into your body and any fears or hesitations you have are brought right up. It allows us to step into what we thought we could not get through and come out on the other side really alive and awake. The work that I have done on myself through yoga helps me to understand with compassion what others may be facing. It’s just a beautiful synergy, yoga and surfing.

I want folks to know I love what I have the pleasure of teaching! It is an honor to work in and with the ocean.Offering my joy and passions to others really lights me up.I believe if we enjoy our earth and oceans we will want to protect and care for this one beautiful planet we walk upon.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When the weather and waves hand us a tough card we always strategizes, improvise and find the wonder in it all. Fate will have it that there is a tropical storm or a brush with ominous weather just the week the camp kids seem to be extra small. Many times throughout the summer we just have to trust our instincts.
Watching the waves, currents and weather patterns gives us opportunities to get campers out surfing safely and ensure everyone has a good time.
This is not an easy job and sometimes we become somewhat of surf therapist. Everyone experiences and enjoys the ocean
differently. What we want more than anything is to create a fun experience and teach a healthy dose of respect for the ocean and the elements.
Kids and adults benefit from the awareness of no control. We all have to learn to let go and stay keenly alert as to what the
waves and weather have in store for us.It’s a life long lesson really.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

biases.. Having to unlearn the thought that the younger generations are somehow similar. Each generation of kids is different. Every single person forms a relationship with the ocean at different times and ages. Ideas and theories on how to help folks over come fears of the waves and ocean change on the daily. It is a beautiful reminder of compassion for me. I completely understand fear of the ocean and I know from experience that stepping head on into the fear is when it changes, shrinks and shifts. I try never to downplay a persons feelings around the ocean. Changing your perspective from fear to excitement is where its at for me. Just smelling the salty air gets my juices flowing!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shakasurfschool.com
• Instagram: @shakasurfschool
• Facebook: Shaka Surf School
• Linkedin: n/a
• Twitter: n/a
• Youtube: n/a
• Yelp: n/a
• Other: Trip advisor: Shaka Surf School

Image Credits
Tao surf photography Jenny Brown Chris Brown