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The Surfer and the Sage: A Guide to Survive and Ride Life's Waves
Sometimes life’s waves knock you down; other times, life might seem to sweep you along powerless. But the choice is always yours to swim back up to the light. Legendary world champion surfer Shaun Tomson and international bestselling poet-philosopher Noah benShea join forces to offer you insight on a path of purpose, hope, and faith. This timely guidebook alternates between Tomson’s inspiring experiential essays and benShea’s spiritual commentary that lift the soul, all accented with stunning full-color surfing photographs.
After losing his son, Tomson walked the bitter road of loss and crossed from darkness into the light. The Surfer and the Sage addresses the eighteen relentless, breaking waves of life, from loss and aging to relationships and depression, and guides you to transformation. It is not a list of rules to follow that guarantee success, health, or wealth, but rather a collection of advice from two guides who have traveled far and wide and suffered deeply, but still look forward to tomorrow with faith and hope.
After losing his son, Tomson walked the bitter road of loss and crossed from darkness into the light. The Surfer and the Sage addresses the eighteen relentless, breaking waves of life, from loss and aging to relationships and depression, and guides you to transformation. It is not a list of rules to follow that guarantee success, health, or wealth, but rather a collection of advice from two guides who have traveled far and wide and suffered deeply, but still look forward to tomorrow with faith and hope.
204 pages, Hardcover
Published June 7, 2022
28 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
Noah benShea
29 books15 followersNoah benShea is one of North America’s most respected and popular poet-philosophers. He is also a scholar, theologian, long range thinker, executive advisor, speaker, and International Best-Selling author who was, by the age of 23, an Assistant Dean of Students at UCLA and, by 30, a consulting fellow to a number of esteemed think tanks including The Center for the Humanities at USC and The Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions in Santa Barbara. An inspirational public speaker for 35 years, he has lectured at literally hundreds of universities, including MIT, Harvard, and Duke/Fuqua School of Business, as well as given countless Keynote Addresses including to the Library of Congress. His work has been incorporated in publications of The Congressional Record, Oxford University and the World Bible Society in Jerusalem.
Noah is the International Best-Selling author of 23 books translated into a eighteen languages. With global sales of over two million copies, his books continue a tradition begun with the Jacob the Baker series which have been embraced around the world as timeless fables in countries as diverse as China, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Germany, Holland, Japan, Norway, Thailand, Israel, and were on the Korean Top 10 Best Sellers for six months where they sold over 500,000 copies. In 2008 Noah benShea’s Jacob the Baker won First Prize at the European Intellectual Book Fair in Moscow.
Noah’s insightful perspective on life, speaks directly with readers around the world each week. Using Internet search engines the name “Noah benShea” appears on over 60,000 websites, including several foreign language websites, quoting from his speeches, books, and essays.
In 1999 Noah was nominated for the Grawemeyer Award for Ideas That Improve the World. For five years, from 1997 – 2002, his weekly essays were enjoyed by several million readers via the New York Times Newspaper Regional Network and were nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
Sometimes referred to as the “Guru’s Guru” and a “Zen Mark Twain,” “An Evening With Noah benShea” was broadcast over national PBS in 150 cities, and Noah has been widely interviewed on radio, television, and in print across North America. He has also had a daily “thought” featured on a regional ABC affiliate and a weekly radio talk show.
Noah benShea | Speaker Best Selling Author | Meet Noah
Noah’s inspirational thoughts are branded and/or tied with some of North America’s largest companies including Starbucks, American Greetings, Lucky Brand Jeans, C&H Sugar, and Costco. His work dramatically impacting the workplace, and has appeared in hospitals, banks, on apparel, teddy bears, over 70 millions sugar packets and over 30 million Starbucks Coffee Cups. And honoring his father’s heroic struggle, Noah in 2005 accepted the title of National Laureate for the ALS Association.
In addition to his reflective life, Noah was a founding partner and later chairman of a national manufacturing company. He is often called upon both for long range forecasting and as an inspirational speaker, to communities and organizations including GAP Inc., Starbucks, and McCaw Communications, as well as The Department of Defense, The Air Force Academy, National Association of Parks and Recreation, and directed studies for 20 year projections for North America’s 50 most prominent developers and retailers. In 2007 he was a visiting professor of philosophy at University of California, San Francisco Medical School and serves as Ethicist for the The Sansum Diabetes Research Institute. Noah has served on Boards of Directors, and as a national lecturer to The Executive Committee, the Young President’s Organization and continues as an executive advisor to North American business and community leaders. Noah is the National Philosopher for Foundations Recovery Network and Executive Director of The Justice Project.
Noah is the father of a daughter, Jordan, and a son, Adam, both of whom are honor graduates of the
Noah is the International Best-Selling author of 23 books translated into a eighteen languages. With global sales of over two million copies, his books continue a tradition begun with the Jacob the Baker series which have been embraced around the world as timeless fables in countries as diverse as China, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Brazil, Germany, Holland, Japan, Norway, Thailand, Israel, and were on the Korean Top 10 Best Sellers for six months where they sold over 500,000 copies. In 2008 Noah benShea’s Jacob the Baker won First Prize at the European Intellectual Book Fair in Moscow.
Noah’s insightful perspective on life, speaks directly with readers around the world each week. Using Internet search engines the name “Noah benShea” appears on over 60,000 websites, including several foreign language websites, quoting from his speeches, books, and essays.
In 1999 Noah was nominated for the Grawemeyer Award for Ideas That Improve the World. For five years, from 1997 – 2002, his weekly essays were enjoyed by several million readers via the New York Times Newspaper Regional Network and were nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
Sometimes referred to as the “Guru’s Guru” and a “Zen Mark Twain,” “An Evening With Noah benShea” was broadcast over national PBS in 150 cities, and Noah has been widely interviewed on radio, television, and in print across North America. He has also had a daily “thought” featured on a regional ABC affiliate and a weekly radio talk show.
Noah benShea | Speaker Best Selling Author | Meet Noah
Noah’s inspirational thoughts are branded and/or tied with some of North America’s largest companies including Starbucks, American Greetings, Lucky Brand Jeans, C&H Sugar, and Costco. His work dramatically impacting the workplace, and has appeared in hospitals, banks, on apparel, teddy bears, over 70 millions sugar packets and over 30 million Starbucks Coffee Cups. And honoring his father’s heroic struggle, Noah in 2005 accepted the title of National Laureate for the ALS Association.
In addition to his reflective life, Noah was a founding partner and later chairman of a national manufacturing company. He is often called upon both for long range forecasting and as an inspirational speaker, to communities and organizations including GAP Inc., Starbucks, and McCaw Communications, as well as The Department of Defense, The Air Force Academy, National Association of Parks and Recreation, and directed studies for 20 year projections for North America’s 50 most prominent developers and retailers. In 2007 he was a visiting professor of philosophy at University of California, San Francisco Medical School and serves as Ethicist for the The Sansum Diabetes Research Institute. Noah has served on Boards of Directors, and as a national lecturer to The Executive Committee, the Young President’s Organization and continues as an executive advisor to North American business and community leaders. Noah is the National Philosopher for Foundations Recovery Network and Executive Director of The Justice Project.
Noah is the father of a daughter, Jordan, and a son, Adam, both of whom are honor graduates of the
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 7, 2023
I read another review saying the writing is choppy. I disagree. I think the book is just formatted in a way that you can go back to any chapter at any time, addressing whatever issue you may be facing in the real world, to be able to read about some new perspectives on that issue.
I appreciate the creation of this book, and I found the writing to be comforting while offering new outlooks on positive and negative experiences that we all share.
Thank you to Shaun and Noah for writing this comforting, and relaxing read.
Definitely recommend
I appreciate the creation of this book, and I found the writing to be comforting while offering new outlooks on positive and negative experiences that we all share.
Thank you to Shaun and Noah for writing this comforting, and relaxing read.
Definitely recommend
June 13, 2022
Life can be super fun - like when a surfer is riding a big wave. Or it also can be tumultuous. Shaun Thomson and Noah benShea enlighten us with essays and inspirational writing on the highs, lows, hopes, dreams, and disappointments of our lives. And, provides us with examples of faith and purpose so we can cope, deal, and "surf on". I loved this book and the "sage" wisdom and spirituality that was exuded from page to page. BIG BONUS - the photography is extraordinary! A perfect gift - including for Father's Day or Graduations!
August 13, 2025
Set affirmations and have a positive outlook, breaking new advice.
My expectations were set for philosophical musings like that of Saltwater Buddha. This was nothing like that, which gave me an opportunity to flex the recommended practice of only being content with no expectations.
Two stars because the ocean pics were beautiful, and Shaun Tomson seems sick. He’s not a concise writer, though. Also - Wish it was less monotheistically religious.
My expectations were set for philosophical musings like that of Saltwater Buddha. This was nothing like that, which gave me an opportunity to flex the recommended practice of only being content with no expectations.
Two stars because the ocean pics were beautiful, and Shaun Tomson seems sick. He’s not a concise writer, though. Also - Wish it was less monotheistically religious.
August 28, 2023
This was very fun to read, especially since round about the time I picked this up, I had just begun to learn how to surf and so, it was very cool seeing how a simple but exciting hobby can alter your life in such a profound way. I much preferred what Shaun Thompson had to say but that’s mainly because I’m not very religious and I felt his messages were more universally applicable.
January 28, 2024
A very handy read. I felt a connect because I'm close to the seas now and the waves have a deep meaning. All the surfer's essays were very exceedingly engaging so much so that They stunt the saint's essays.
The waves and surfer images on alternative pages just deepen the connection with the words.
Overall a nice book to read.
The waves and surfer images on alternative pages just deepen the connection with the words.
Overall a nice book to read.
July 1, 2025
The surfer is the sage. Shaun Tomson's anecdotes and life lessons are valuable, insightful, and entertaining. The sage comes across as an afterthought that doesn't really add anything. Great photography adds to the text, and that combined with Shaun's perspectives kept me going. But too many God references and some unsagelike musings almost made this a DNF.
December 30, 2022
Weird and choppy writing. Tells a story less than it just mangles metaphors and aphorisms into some semblance of surfing/life relationship. Made it about 39 pages in and gave up to read better books.
January 10, 2023
Do you have to understand the style in which this book was written book to appreciate it. Two perspectives from two completely different people. It’s an inspiring read. It is on point through life lessons.
June 29, 2024
Apenas uma palavra para este livro : SUBLIME
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"Nunca houve quem se erguesse numa prancha de surf que não acabasse por cair. Quando isso lhe acontecer, trate de o esquecer e siga em frente.
E volte à prancha. As vezes que for preciso. "
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"Nunca houve quem se erguesse numa prancha de surf que não acabasse por cair. Quando isso lhe acontecer, trate de o esquecer e siga em frente.
E volte à prancha. As vezes que for preciso. "
🩵
April 7, 2023
Not what I expected, but I liked it! I expected more insight into surfing and its lifestyle but instead found more about life itself. A sweet read, beautiful pictures.
September 24, 2023
This book spoke to me and I know it will you. It’s an easy, quick read that will motivate you and fill you up!
June 19, 2024
I wouldn't say it is a self help book, more of a perspective reset.
It is about how everything in life has an opposite: fear and courage, confusion and clarity, privilege and gratitude and how we can use those opposites to control our emotions/life. It relates all its life lessons to surfing and a big underlying theme of the book is "there's always another wave"
I thought it had some great points but was a bit repetitive at times. I will say 10/10 for the pictures though. Some really stunning shots of surf and sea from around the world
It is about how everything in life has an opposite: fear and courage, confusion and clarity, privilege and gratitude and how we can use those opposites to control our emotions/life. It relates all its life lessons to surfing and a big underlying theme of the book is "there's always another wave"
I thought it had some great points but was a bit repetitive at times. I will say 10/10 for the pictures though. Some really stunning shots of surf and sea from around the world
June 7, 2025
Good pictures and some nice thoughts. But it wasn’t particularly cohesive and in some parts made me think I was reading “The You You Are” by Ricken Lazlo
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews