I was a little apprehensive about my abilities to do this, as I had no woodwork skills (I never finished a woodwork project in high school) and though I have surfed on and off for many years, am an eternal novice so knew little about surfboard design. I felt a real sense of achievement, and it was an amazing feeling to finally take the board out on the water at home and catch that first wave. I hadn’t surfed for quite a long time by now, but shaping the board reminded me of the satisfaction and focus that being on a board in the ocean brings. The value in this workshop is much more than making a surfboard. The building experience will not change your life situation or stop the worries or negative thoughts you might have, but it can remind you what is possible with a little focus, and some permission and support.