Surfing Waves

I have little chance to surf at the moment as I'm a young girl who has many other hobbies. I would love to take up surfing with much more commitment later on in my life. However, I know that the amount I could surf depends on my career. I am planning on a challenging job as I am quite academic, at the moment I would love to be a surgeon. However, I was wondering about what all of you think, and whether you reckon I would ever have enough time to do any kind of regular surfing if I went down the medicinal route? Are there any careers you'd all recommend, and what are all your jobs? (I live in Cornwall, UK- if that makes a difference)

Thanks

I think the world needs surgeons more than surfers, so please pursue your dream!

However, the great thing about surfing is you can drift in and out, do it a few times a month or a few times a year - sure you wont get to an advanced level, but you will still have fun and enjoy it. So learn surfing now, if life or work takes you away from it for a few years, you can always go back. Use that surgeon salary to head over to Costa Rica or Morocco for a few weeks a year.

Follow your first dream to be a surgeon, then learn to surf and your wages will get you to any surf destination for your vacations.
I am now retired from my profession and it is still paying for my surf addiction and trips , had I gone the road of surf first I would have nothing but my old age to look forward to.
I have surgeon friends who do a third world stint in surgery correcting some horrendous facial and physical deformities.
With a side surf trip, doing great good where the would otherwise be none.

Great to hear somebody heading on a great path

Hi cornwallsurfer, welcome to Surfing Waves!

You spend most of your adult life at work, not matter what your career path is. It's important to choose something that you really want to do. A surgeon is a great choice, and there will be plenty of time for surfing.
I recently watched the Horizon program on the Mars Curiosity Rover which recently landed on Mars. The program featured the Chief Engineer (I think) who stopped at the beach each morning for a surf before work. You don't have to let your career put a stop to your surfing.

We had a topic about the best jobs for a surfer which had some interesting options.

As others said, be a surgeon first and foremost. We need more surgeons and people who help others. If I might, you may or may not have time for surfing as much, but you should be able to get some in on a day off or with vacation time. I wish you the best in becoming a surgeon but encourage you to dream as much as you can.

With the shortage of good surgeons it would be really good to follow the medical career. Surfing is great fun and you can do it anytime, not sure you will get the satisfaction or income from surfing!! Just make the right choice for you, good luck!!!

Hi orangeshark, welcome to Surfing Waves!

orangeshark wrote:not sure you will get the satisfaction or income from surfing!!

Unless you can go pro

you should aim for happyness over money, to be a good surfer you need to spend lots of time in the water, specially if you've never done it b4, not saying you shouldn't be a surgeon or a surfer, but just ask yourself what's really important in life, we only got one, we shouldn't waste it, believe in yourself and enjoy it till the end!!

Hi cornwallsurfer,
I do have a good friend who works in the medical field as a nurse and he still gets out there and surfs all the time. I am sure while going to school his time was limited, but he has time now. I know it will be different as a surgeon as they have more demands on their time. as far as other professions...

Are there any careers you'd all recommend

I went to school to be a firefighter, because I thought it would be exciting and I liked the hours. The 24 on 48 off is great for free time and surfing if you choose to spend it that way. I also used to work the night shift and liked it because I cold surf in the mornings. Whatever you choose to do, I think you will have some time to surf. There are definitely some jobs that are less demanding than others. Good luck with your decision!

From my own experience i can honestly say you cant live the true beach lifestyle unless u wanna live in the back of your van. Fair play to those who do. i got lucky for a long while having a job flexible enough to sustain me for a while. I know several people including myself who spent 5 or more years really living on the edge i.e just scraping by so we could surf everyday. In the end everyone ended up getting real jobs well... everyone except me. But i know damn well that time aint on my side

As far as jobs go there's nothing wrong with being a weekend warrior or hitting the beach early morning and just before nights. I cant think of too many jobs that have no flexibility.

Comments about medical route:
1) once in residency, you won't have time to surf (this is temporary)
2) once in private practice, you can arrange your schedule so you have one or two mornings a week free for surf (I know doctors and dentists that do this)
3) once in practice, you can provide medical services at surfing events and/or even surf. See stories about Surfing Doctors organization (http://surfingdoctors.com/), Doc Ball (http://www.surfingforlife.com/surfers.html), “Doc” Renneker (http://www.fearproject.net/2011/11/26/t ... s-on-fear/, http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/art ... 527426.php), Doc Paskowitz (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doc_Paskowitz), and Dr. Tim Brown (the ASP series doctor [http://www.thesurfchannel.com/news/20121011/intelliskin-essential-for-top-athletes/])

My friend graduated from med school, her schedule is not grueling during her rotations but we live close enough to te beach where she can go on her days off and after work when she has morning rotations. Where you study will also impact how much you surf.