Wave makers are those who create the waves. They are extremely creative people who think of new ways of doing things, and come up with new ideas, and have the ability to get them out to large numbers of people. Wave makers initiate change in cultures and world views. They expand horizons. Do old things in new ways, and even do some new things. They are inventors and innovators. They create waves.

Then there are the wave riders. These are the people who surf on the waves created by the wave makers. They didn’t make the waves, but they have fun riding on them, feeling them out, and inventing new stunts to practice on the waves. The feel the currants under their boards, and respond with stunning quickness and fluid grace to perform amazing feats. Some of them have become so good at riding waves, that other riders come to them to study their style and learn their tricks. They are happy to do this, but their thoughts are always on the next wave, watching and waiting for it to arrive. For they are wave riders.

Finally, there are the wave watchers. This group, the vast majority, sits on the beach, in the warm sun, and watches the wave riders do their stunts. For the most part, this group is unaware of the wave makers. They really don’t contribute to the wave in any way, but they get excited and are entertained by what they see. Sometimes they cheer on their favorite rider and make him a celebrity. The wave riders love this, for it is one of the reasons they ride waves in the place – to get a following. The wave makers don’t mind the wave riders getting most of the glory, because they are off doing what they love, creating new waves. Some riders look scornfully at the wave watchers, wondering why, if they like to watch surfing so much, they don’t get out of their beach chairs, and try surfing for themselves. Some watchers do try, maybe out of adventure, but mostly out of guilt, and some do in fact become riders. But most simply return to wave watching. Some of the watchers, having tried riding, do little but complain about the wave makers and the wave riders. The waves are too big, they say. The waves were unnecessary. Why can’t the ocean be calm? These critical wave watchers often start discernment clubs where they read papers and listen to lectures about why waves are bad and what makers and riders should be doing instead. These critical watchers often gain large followings of other watchers. Nevertheless, they too are part of the equation. They are wave watchers.

I personally can’t stand water at all, unless I’m on top of it skiing. But I agree with you about the sand. I hate it when it gets up inside your suit…

Good point.

Have you ever burned the soles of your feet? Ouch.

I like your analogy.

At a real beach, the ones IN the water are more likely to get sun burnt than the sand sitters.

David