Everything I know about dating I learned from surfing

A US surfer discovered a connection between surfing and dating and decided to write a book about it. Author Nancy Spooner Bsharah along with co-author Tara Brouwer created the book, “Everything I Know About Dating I Learned From Surfing.”

“The book came about because I had just gone through a divorce and had to start learning how to date again in my mid 30s,” said Bsharah.

“I had also just learned to surf thanks to an all girls trip to El Salvador. And I joined San Diego Surf Ladies (SDSL) so I was out in the water a lot and I started making a correlation that surf tips also sounded like dating tips.”

You know -The hardest part is getting out there

“You know -The hardest part is getting out there; they are not always going to come to you, sometimes you have to paddle over there and get it; it’s good to have patience and not take the first wave of the set just because you were tired of waiting; Don’t always believe your friends when they say, “Go for it!”; oh, and it is not cool to steal someone else’s wave!”

Bsharah started keeping a journal and was joking that someday she would write a book.

Author Nancy Spooner Bsharah along with co-author Tara Brouwer at the book launch…

“My boyfriend at the time (now husband), Al, thought the book was a fantastic idea and he kept pushing me to write it,” said Spooner Bsharah.

Spooner Bsharah was introduced to the future co-author of the book, Tara Brouwer, through a mutual friend at a networking event.

“She knew that we were both entrepreneurs, outdoor enthusiasts and loved to surf so she thought we would get along. We hit it off right away!” said Bsharah.

One day following a surf session with Brouwer, Bsharah made a comment that a man in the water had just written another quote for her book. Brouwer then asked, “What book?”

Bsharah explained that, for the past few years that she had been surfing, she’d also been keeping a journal of quotes and advice she received while learning to surf and how it was similar to dating advice.

“When I told her what I was thinking she got very excited and said she wanted to design the book,” said Bsharah. “I can’t even draw stick figures so I was excited.”

The book became a personal project for the two - through writing, rewriting and sharing stories. Brouwer designed the books illustrations while Bsharah took on the role of business and administration. With some help from a Kickstarter campaign, the book was completed in 2012.

“All of the stories in the book are true dating stories from both Tara’s (Brouwer) and my past,” said Bsharah. “Names have been changed to protect the innocent (and not so innocent!)”

The book features quotes accompanied by personal dating stories and is beautifully illustrated.

The book is available on Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com or direct from surfdatebook.com