Baptism

On entering the surf, I splash water over my face and run it through my hair', each time musing at what started off as a futile method to approaching the changing Atlantic waters on the Southwest coast line in the UK. Over time the gesture has turned into a superstitious ritual that I can not let go. Due to it's personal nature, I can take it and apply it anywhere. As time has gone on It has grown in meaning and I have laid witness to the added use of religious ceremonious symbolism. At times I may accompany it with an internal monologue, that satirically shouts out, “into the baptism of fire” seemingly acting as my righteous admission into the sea. The playful self-righteous monologue is not dissimilar to an unlikely parody from a badly scripted Mel Gibson’s film. However, it makes me chuckle, offering a light hearted tone, while hiding the fear of the ocean’s power. On days where the swell is smaller the monologue is quiet, but the behavioural gesture ever present. On heavier occasions it provides focus, centeredness and marks a sense of masculinity or self drive, like a warrior commanding his troops into battle, but in my case for the paddle out. I’d pondered, is the nervousness closely keeping in check my masculinity and introspective monologue questioning myself, ‘you’re not the fighter you think you are’. Culturally Surfing is no stranger to spiritual associations or symbolic clichés and notably historical representations, from classical Greek mythology that offers stories of powerful deities to Hawaiian postcards. Culturally these connotations are often a product of marketing where brands such as Guinness 1999 advert Surfer, featuring Leftfield's - Phat Planet tune, have harnessed a masculine mystique. The notion of power or danger certainly provides me with instances to challenge and push oneself. I consider these instances as encounter that can be best described as sublime. A friend once commented on this powerful relationship, conjuring up an allegorical image with the phrase, ‘Neptunes palm’. Ironically the director responisble for the Guinness advert was influnced by the 1900 century painting, 'Neptune's Horse' by a Walter Crane.

I recognise the thrill seeker or allure of the back to nature's raw authenticity. If I wait long enough I can come face to face with moments of nowness, in doing so I want more and actively seek out a sense of presence. I grave it as thou it was an a adtiction.  

Unwrapping the seas paradoxically calming mystique has allowed a understanding of a personal, innate, Biophilia relationship, that describes the pull of the seas cult power and one that cleanses the urban detritus and rejuvenates our being. I consider the allure as a pilgrimage and the splashing a gesture, culturally distinguished as a spiritual ritual with a connection, that confines with my relationship to nature and notably one I rarely find in the city. The theology in the ritual has opened up my awareness with belief systems, religious texts and practices, that allow me to mediate my religious position. Growing up in the UK the iconography and motifs were predominantly Christian, from the hymns I sang at school to Easter or Christmas holidays. My mother was also Christian, as result, I was christened as young child, but my parents did not attend church services or engaged in regular religious rituals with me, so I consider my upbringing fairly Secular. However, I was still exposed to places of worship, such as Churches and Cathedrals. On entering religious buildings you instantly become aware of the powerful atmosphere which is manifested by Gothic architecture, decorated with familiar artefacts yet alien iconography and simultaneously you're conscious of a doctrine running through the walls. There is a commanding silence as your gaze is taken by people lighting candles and praying.