At St. James the Great, we believe faith is not only something we practice on Sunday morning, but it is also something we live wherever life takes us. And here in Newport Beach, sometimes that means “Surf’s Up!”
The St. James Surf Club brings together surfers, boogie boarders, beginners, and anyone who simply loves the ocean and wants to share a little fellowship along the way. Our priest associate, Rev. Adam, is also a member—and a beginner surfer himself—making this truly a ministry from the beach, not just about the beach. We meet at the Newport Beach Pier on the first Saturday of every month at 8 a.m. We paddle out, ride a few waves, encourage one another, and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation. Afterward, we gather for brunch, coffee, or simply sit together and talk. No experience is required; just come as you are.
There is also a deeper spiritual dimension to surfing. Surfers learn patience: we cannot command the ocean to produce the waves we want. Humility: the sea is always greater than we are. Living in the present means paying attention to what is happening right now. And trust: we paddle out, stand up, lose our balance, and get back on the board.
For Christians, the ocean can become a place of encounter with God and of prayer. In the water, we can marvel at God’s beautiful creation and at how carefully he made it. We remember how Jesus walked on the water, and when the disciples were caught in a storm, he calmed the waters. This reminds us that even when the waves of life are crashing wildly, Christ is present.
Come! Surf! Pray! Hang out!
