Review Board tells it as it is. It s like this: don t stand on the sidelines. Don t let society s prejudices stop you living your dreams. Do confront your demons. Do skate, do surf. David Flanagan s tale is an inspirational and honest hymn to getting out there and living your life. --Alex Wade, author of Amazing Surfing Stories, Surf Nation and Wrecking Machine. About the Author David Flanagan is an award-winning journalist and writer based in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. Born, raised and educated in Edinburgh, he studied journalism in the city and worked briefly for the Edinburgh Evening News before deciding daily newspapers weren't really his thing. After returning to his ancestral home of Orkney in 1990, he spent three years as a reporter with local weekly newspaper, The Orcadian, before moving into public relations work. He's been freelance since 2002, producing news and feature articles for a wide variety of publications, in addition to undertaking copywriting projects for clients throughout the UK. He's occasionally appeared on TV and once managed to skateboard on camera while delivering a news report. When not surfing or skateboarding badly, he enjoys walking in the Scottish mountains, lifting weights and training in martial arts. He also has a passion for action movies and cries when watching Rocky.
D**S
So much to love
A brilliantly told tale of doing things because you love them even if you are not overly talented at them and convention suggests that you're too old to be doing them. The beauty of this book is in following the author's struggle, sharing in his (sometimes small) triumphs and empathizing with his setbacks. I've ready many surfing books and what really chimes with me about this one is that it is the story of what most of us go through learning to surf. There is no moment of epiphany when it all just clicks into place, no previously unknown and untapped natural talent - just struggle and perseverance. It's the classic thing of life being a journey, not a destination and if you don't love the journey - even when it's hard - what's the point?Of course, as a 40-something who returned to skateboarding (longboarding) later in life and started surfing even later I might be a little biased! :-)
R**M
A great read, and not just for outdoor enthusiasts and ...
Devoured this book in two sittings. A great read, and not just for outdoor enthusiasts and armchair surfers like myself but has appeal to all. My son enjoyed it too. The author comes across as a genuinely likeable guy and both his physical and philosophical journey are inspiring. I have been tempted to go and dig up that old surfboard from a friend's storage unit , and the rusty skateboard has been recovered from the shed!
E**O
A Bit Dull
The story is okay and ambles along well enough but I never really felt the depth of emotion this book needed, especially relating to the authors childhood. Also the sections which I suspect weâre meant to be comedic werenât really very funny. I read it in a couple of sittings so it doesnât take too much effort
M**N
An excellent read
As a skater and ex surfer this book brought the memories flooding back, it is well written and I couldn't put it down I read it in an afternoon and was gutted to Finnish it. If you have ever been on a board you will enjoy this.
J**E
Good book
Maybe a little too in-depth for my son
D**E
An honest story about surfing
There were many paragraphs in this book that I can relate to. David gives an honest and very familiar account of what it's like for a 30 -40 year old to take up surfing in Northern Europe.
S**E
Dave the dude !
Amazing read, read it in one sitting ,couldn't put it down ,I laughed so much at one point the wife sent me downstairs to read the rest .If your a look over forty but it nowđ
G**L
Its not just me then!
Loved it, mirrors much of my own "start surfing later in life" journey, crap surfers of the world unite! It truely is not the winning but just the taking part!
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