Dew Promchareon
Why did you fall in love with surfing?
I fell in love with surfing because it connects me with nature and people from all over the world. The genuine kindness of those who share the surf spirit is amazing, and reconnecting with them over the years has been so special. Surfing has given me purpose, which brings happiness and fulfilment in life (this is scientific FYI).
When they think of surfing, people might not think of Thailand... Could you give us a little overview of the surf scene in Thailand and what makes it special for you?
Surfing in Thailand is relatively new, growing especially during the Covid pandemic, but with some foreigners coming to explore since the late 1970s. The waves aren’t world-class, mostly semi-average beach breaks with rare perfect days. But most of the locals here surf for the love of it, less so cause it’s trendy. We appreciate and value the conditions every day, respect each other (there is very high gender equality in surf here too!) and support local groms. Surfing uncrowded waves in my own home, especially with our sunsets, makes it special. Don’t even get me started on the food and weather…
Could you describe a little of how you feel when you are up on the longboard and riding the wave? Your emotions and sensations?
Surfing forces me to be in the present, like meditating and yoga - active but mindful. I don’t think many people truly know that feeling of being content with where you are and nowhere else in the mind. On a longboard, it feels like I’m dancing and painting lines to the beat of a song I listened to in the car that morning. Soul, hip hop, jazz and rock - it fits all depending on your style and mood. So fun haha.
Marine pollution and conservation are global crises and people and governments are not doing anywhere near enough to tackle these challenges. Are you optimistic we can get our act together on the scale that is required?
It’s challenging, but we should not give up. Small individual actions still keep the conversation alive and pressure corporations to act. Supporting those who dedicate time to conservation is important if you can’t make big changes yourself. If not, it’s as easy as picking up 1-5 bits of rubbish next time you go for a walk on the beach or sharing something on social media once in a while. You can check out some surfers making a difference: @belindabaggs @surfersforclimate.
What has surfing taught you?
There are countless life lessons that I couldn’t list all if I tried haha. However, a few notable things are to stay humble (you are playing in mother nature’s world), learn to be comfortable with discomfort, and that gratitude is key to contentment. The only way to get better at surfing is to surf, there is no way around it and the same with other things in life. Every surf is almost some metaphor for life if you make it.
What does Thailand mean to you today?
Thailand is home, where my blood and roots are. I was privileged enough to grow up with Western education so now I want to travel, and meet people with the ultimate aim of sharing Thailand’s beauty, fun, and the kindness of our people with friends—just like our coconuts, the sweetest and most refreshing in Southeast Asia. Believe me, I’ve tried them all.
For more, you can visit Dew's IG here.
Photos by: @kenyashiro, @mojito.boy, @suntansoul, @tah_surferday