There are at least 200 surfable river mouths along the coast of India. Many of them are so isolated that few if any people have ever surfed there. Finding and surfing one of these river mouths is not unlike making a pilgrimage to a sacred place.

The traditional act of making a pilgrimage is not just reserved for the religious. The pilgrimage is a way of centering and preparing for the destination itself. It is a time to reflect on the meaning of the coming event, and time to shed the burdens of everyday life in order to truly be present when you arrive. These journeys are challenging and require sacrifice, it becomes the most important thing in your life during your travels.

Getting to one of these mysterious Indian beaches would take resourcefulness, planning, adapting along the way, and a strong force of will and determination. It is not for the faint of heart. The experience is elevated by the journey. 

We may not all be headed out to India to find the most desolate and perfect wave, but there’s value in this example of what life can be like when we set a course, shed some burdens, and focus our energy. The journey is not more important than the destination; however, the journey will enhance or diminish our appreciation of what we feel when we get there.