For world-class surfer Bear Woznick, the ocean has always been the center of his universe. He's spent his entire life with it; riding its waves, learning from it, loving it. The ocean also nourishes the soul as Bear shows us on his surfboard.
In DEEP IN THE WAVE, readers ride along with Woznick through the calmest of tides and most turbulent waves. Woznick's portrayal of the beauty and power of the ocean is truly inspiring and showcases the profound meaning surfing has had on his life.
From the way a surfboard is painstakingly crafted, to the faith and patience that is required to ride a monster wave, Woznick weaves his relationship to surfing with his relationship to God, relating how the two are often one in the same. Instead of standing on the shore with our toes in the surf, Woznick takes us on the board--to the deep water--to watch and wait--and, if need be, to paddle hard to survive.
Goodreads Summary
Woznick equates a surfer’s giant wave abandonment with a soul-satisfying relationship with God. He writes that we should “go deep with our Creator”… “die to self and live for God”. The book is both spiritual guide and autobiography. From a young age, Woznick felt the pull of the ocean; his writing conveys that feeling for readers. Other growing up stories about football, friends, and school add to his story. I was really surprised to learn that as an adult, he worked for a big CPA firm…and then, later started his own accounting firm. A surfing CPA! He tells how his friends wondered if he would be a priest because his faith was so deep. (Priests surf too!) His account of his solo trip from Molokai to Oahu across the Kaiwi Channel is exhilarating (a shark and man o’ war jellyfish), and the historical and sincere spiritual musings that he includes give the reader a deeper sense of meeting God and really feeling alive. “Death was knocking. I felt totally alive.”
Woznick lets readers feel how he finds God in the beauty and power of the huge waves that he rides: “each wave as being a pulse from the very heartbeat of God”. His stories about the birth and growth of the surf culture interested me – I’ve never heard about it. His sincerity, sense of wonder, desire to surrender to God, and joy come through in this memoir.
Four Stars
*Reviewed by Colleen*
Find this book:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
This product or book may have been distributed for review, this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.
Posts
Oh this sounds good! i love a good book that has religious aspects to it. Thanks for the review!