Robert Kenn spent time away from his corporate world to listen to Australian surfers, with the aim of writing a book that would benefit others. These are conversations he wished he’d had much earlier in life.
Wisdom from the Ocean offers support, insights and advice for life’s inevitable challenges and frustrations. Ideas about self-image, relationships, connecting, mastery, asking for help, keeping calm and focused, fear and spontaneity are meaningfully woven into stories, anecdotes and metaphors about surfing and the ocean. (‘Surviving life’s rips’ or ‘Live your life with the focus on a surfer’.)
Read the stories in any order. The language is conversational, comfortable and casual, translating the complex yet valuable ideas usually found deep beneath the surface. After each story Kenn offers a personal reflection to extend and explore the insights. Some of the themes relate to mental and emotional health so links to additional advice and support are well considered and useful. I enjoyed the regular reflection prompts (with blank page) at the end of each chapter ‘to write your notes, questions or ideas to think about or ponder later’.
Despite its focus on wellbeing and reflecting on the human condition Wisdom from the cean is a very practical and grounded book. The tough hardback edition is intentionally printed on thicker paper so readers can confidently toss it in a beach bag read it down on the sand.
Reviewed by Mark Parry
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born and raised in Greater London, Robert Kenn emigrated to Australia as a young adult in search or warner climes. He has lived much of his life on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, residing now near Manly Beach. Whilst his background is in the corporate world of accounting, for a long time he has felt the desire to write a book that could benefit others.
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