The Surfer Spirit (Hardcover)

~ Cynthia Derosier (Author), Tim Anderson (Author), John Bilderback (Photographer)
Key Phrases: Western Australia

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Awe-inspiring, uplifting, and beautifully motivating, The Surfer Spirit is a book unlike any other surf book. "This book is moving and insightful. The Hawaiian tradition of surfing is a dance with nature, a celebration of the unity between humans, the environment and the spirit.", Ramsay Taum, Kumu (teacher) Native Hawaiian Practices and Culture. Written and produced by surfers, it captures and conveys the true spirit of surfing. Stunning in its simplicity, the book features breathtaking images accentuated with simple, yet profound sentiments. Photos by world-renowned surf photographers John Bilderback and Jeff Divine feature, Kelly Slater, Perry Dane, Taj Burrow, Rochelle Ballard, epic waves and more. Together, the words and imagery on each of reflect the way in which surfing keeps us in communion with nature, reconnecting us with our spirits each time our boards meet the water. The cover is encased in a natural-colored canvas material and measures 8" x 8" when closed. The pages are printed with environmentally friendly soy-based inks on high quality art paper made from consumer recycled stock. Each book includes a ribbon bookmark to highlight your favorite page. A fabulous book for surfers and non-surfers alike. ****A portion of the proceeds of each sale go to support non-profit programs: the Surfrider Spirit Sessions with the Surfrider Foundation, and He`e Nalu Learning Center (heenalulc.org)*****

Product Details

• Hardcover: 56 pages
• Publisher: Bess Press; 1ST Edition edition (August 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 097695480X
• ISBN-13: 978-0976954804
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 8.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #272,271 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surfing as a Dance with Nature, April 3, 2007

By	Rebecca Johnson "SeasonedwithLove.com" (Washington State) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

"I want to remind people of the power they have when they tap into their passion, and feed and nurture their unique spirit." ~ Cynthia Derosier

With page after page of shimmering liquid playgrounds, "The Surfer Spirit" invites you into a world of surfer meditations to convey insights born of a love of surfing. This is a book for surfers and non-surfers because the message helps to build self-esteem and leads the reader back to a deeper understanding of their true self.

Cynthia Desroisier is a surfer who sees a connection between surfing and the choices we make in our daily life. As she says: "I rise to life's challenges." With Co-Writer, Tim Anderson, she also writes with a sense of poetic perfection when she explains the spiritual aspect of surfing:

"We who surf
Live life out
Breathe life in
And pray in our own way

Our boards and bodies are
instruments improvising
The sweet songs of our souls."

The photography in "The Surfer Spirit" is especially fascinating and beautiful. The images truly capture the excitement of surfing and Jeff Devine and John Bilderback's photographs are spectacular with a sparkling crystalline beauty.

A Surf Safari to Iceland, World Surfing in Indonesia, Pipelines in Hawaii and Beach Haven, New Jersey are all featured. Beaches of lavender waves rolling into shore contrast with a calm azure stillness.

Cynthia Derosier's professional skills as an art director and designer are evident throughout this beautiful surfing experience. The cover is made with a natural-colored canvas material and the pages are all printed with environmentally friendly soy-based inks. The high quality art paper and a ribbon bookmark make this a perfect gift.

A portion of the proceeds from this book also go to The Surfrider Foundation to encourage care for the ocean environment. The Surfrider Foundation also incorporates the lessons from this book into a program to teach surfing, ocean ecology and water safety.

Highly recommended as a book to treasure!

~The Rebecca Review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A contemplative look at surfing, August 24, 2006

By	E. Udarbe (Livingston, MT USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've lived in Hawaii for about 12 years and discovered that surfing there was a way of life. You never really know who you might meet in the ocean... doctors, lawyers, architects, or the deli clerk from the store down the street. This book captures the sights, thoughts, and emotions that go through your mind each time you surf. It is the very reason why people keep coming back to it, regardless of how many times they fall. At last! A book that embraces the very essence of the sport.

5.0 out of 5 stars Even non-surfers will appreciate this book, June 5, 2009

By	Galfromdownunder "Bike Friday Adventurette" (New York at the moment) - See all my reviews

I'm not a surfer at all, but a landlubbing cyclist (here's proof: The Handsomest Man in Cuba: An Escapade). For those who prefer to appreciate nature's awesome power from the safety of their towel, this book will immerse you in that 'big green room' without needing to come up for air. It's a beautiful meditation, and even encouraged me to dog paddle out into the wild wet yonder flanked by friends who took turns to revive me later. I gifted this book to a 'global surfer' friend and he was totally blown away - said it precisely and perfectly captures the mindset that drives die-hard surfers to go chase that perfect wave, all day, all night, all year round. Far from being merely a pretty bedside table book of simpering affirmations, as this type of book could be, it really tries to welcome your mind into that watery world without a hint of elitism. even this non-surfer 'got it'. Check out this clip of Cynthia fofering to take Bhutanese monks surfing ... now that's a surfer! [...]