MALIBU'S SEAN JOHNSON: THE RIGHT KIND OF CHARACTER

You know those times when you come across someone and you are really impressed by their behavior…some people just stand out that way…..they do things a little differently than others. They leave you with something small, but very significant; a good feeling about humanity. Sean Johnson is one of those people.

I don’t know Sean well at all. I know him well enough to say hi when I see him around town or in the water. So, how can someone who I have spent so little time with make such an impression, and inspire me to write a blog. Well, in the very little time I have been around the 24 year old, I have seen a very sincere effort on his part to be kind and outreaching. He just doesn’t do it with me, but with everyone. That doesn’t come naturally to most….lots of people are friendly when you know them, or when you are in their ”circle”, but Sean reaches his hand over the crowd to shake your hand just to make a connection.

If you know who Sean is, then you know that he is a very accomplished surfer who had great success on the WSA Tour. He is one of the very best you will ever see in the water--on any day. Partly for that reason, Sean is a role model for a lot of the younger surfers in town. Sean is also a surf instructor who can be seen on many beaches in Malibu. I can only hope that Sean’s character and kindness rub off on as many of those kids as possible. The world is depending on him.

Surfing has a reputation for propogating attitudes. “Localism” is often seen as a substitute for more admirable characteristics. I have played just about every sport but only in surfing do I see selfishness and rudeness as a part of the culture of the sport---certainly not everyone, not even most, but it is definitely something that is ubiquitous in surfing. I see it all the time. It’s ridiculous.

So, why is Sean important? Well, Sean reminds me of a couple of distinctive friends of mine. One of them is my oldest friend from childhood who was the star athlete throughout his youth. He went on to play baseball for USC and, as a freshman, was one of the key pitchers who helped USC win a national championship. He went on to play minor league ball for the Angels for several years. What made my friend, Spiro, so special was his complete lack of arrogance. Some star athletes can feel a little above the crowd, like they are special because they have a certain skill--- not Spiro---he would make friends with anyone and everyone. He would be hanging out with the jocks one minute and the next he would be sitting down with the overweight and unattractive girl who was eating lunch by herself. He was kind and accessible to the “stoners”, the nerds, and anyone. He had a positive effect on everyone he came across.

My other example is a friend I met about 20 years ago. I went through a pretty intense rock climbing phase that had me spending a lot of time in Yosemite and Joshua Tree. I got to know many great rock climbers, some legendary. Many of them would look down on those who couldn’t climb at their level, the non “locals”. They would only hang around other great climbers. They didn’t have time for the others. Not so with my friend Steve Gerberding. Steve is, to this day, one of the most badass climbers in the world. He has climbed El Capitan over 100 times and he has put up some of the most difficult and dangerous routes in some of the most remote corners of the world. He trains Navy Seals much of the time and he has earned legend status. All great climbers know of Steve and they give him total respect. Picture someone super cool like Clint Eastwood in “A Fistful of Dollars”. That is Steve Gerberding. But, here is what sets Steve apart from most others. On the many occasions I climbed and traveled with Steve I got to see him interact with a lot of people. We would often go walking by some very inexperienced climbers who were fumbling with basic climbing technique or who would be on the most simple climbing route. Steve would talk to them as if he was on their level, never hinting for a second that he was an expert. Steve would encourage the others and give them some tips as he passed by. He was totally (one of them) at that moment. Maybe that comes from being secure with yourself, not feeling like you have to stand above others and show everyone that you have a skill level that they don’t have. That makes a lot of people feel superior for some reason.

Sean fits into this profile quite well--an amazingly talented surfer who has the respect of everyone in the water. But, unlike many others, Sean doesn’t need to act like he is above you just because he can surf your butt off. He doesn’t need to show you his “Aces”.  Apparently he doesn’t feel the need. He is secure with himself without looking down on anyone or acting “cooler” than you. On the contrary, Sean is one of the most accessible guys out there…kind of like my friend, Spiro.

These are the things that will be remembered long after we forget the athletic skills…these are the things that set these people apart form most others. Being talented in a sport is great; it takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but it is no substitute for character. You don’t make the world a better place by being a great surfer or skier or baseball player…..you do it by being thoughtful, by being aware of the impact you have on other people, by having character. Some people have greatness that they carry in the water and out of the water, on the playing field and off it. Their greatness goes with them wherever they are….they don’t need a stage.

Food for Thought.....