In this Spotlight interview, we chat with Collin Bosse, a lifelong surfer from Santa Barbara who faced a life-changing challenge after a spinal cord injury in 2023. Undeterred by this setback, Collin made a remarkable return to surfing, driven by his deep connection to the ocean. He opens up about how the sea has been a source of healing and motivation, and the unwavering support he has received from his community. From embracing adaptive surfing to pursuing his MBA at the University of San Diego, Collin’s journey is a powerful testament to perseverance and the enduring bond between a surfer and the ocean.
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Q. Can you share how your love for the ocean and surfing began?
Collin - I am unbelievably fortunate that my parents raised me in a place like Santa Barbara, CA, and thank them any chance I get for allowing me to grow up in a tight-knit beach community. Some of my earliest memories are going to Ledbetter Beach near my childhood home, seeing all of my Friends from school and spending hours in the water, never wanting to leave. I don't think I can name a starting point for my love of the ocean and surfing, my life has been centered around it for as long as I can remember and my love for it can't be quantified. I definitely owe it to my parents for providing such an amazing life, they taught me how much the ocean can heal and give back.
Q. After your injury, you made a vow to surf again. What was it about the ocean that kept you so determined to return to surfing?
Collin - Before my injury I often found myself sitting in the lineup checking out the scenery while waiting for the next set and thinking “this is unreal, I couldn't imagine my life without this.” That sounds so dramatic Hahaha. Surfing has always been there for me, and I have identified as a surfer for so long. I could never let an injury get in the way of doing something that Is “me”. It's who I am.
Q. Can you describe the emotions you felt the first time you were back in the water, riding waves again after more than a year away?
Collin - Oddly enough I don't think it hit me when I was in the water, I was obviously having an amazing time and super stoked with all the people from Waves4All. It hit me a day or two after that that was the longest I had ever spent out of the water in my entire life, and it almost felt like an itch had been scratched. The happiness and stoke can't be measured, but all surfers know the feeling of getting that one wave after a long time out of the water or a big gap in swell, it's truly euphoric.
Q. How does being in the ocean and surfing affect your mood and mindset?
Collin - It's really calming. A lot of my life is really hectic, even more so now Post injury. I can no longer just wake up and charge out of the house with a board, a wetsuit, and a towel. Putting the right shorts on, collecting all the safety equipment, towels, blankets, driving to the beach, putting on the gear, getting the right crew together, getting on the board… it feels chaotic. But once you're in the water, it all goes away. The only goal is to have a good time, and getting to enjoy it with all of the amazing people I've been able to surf with has been really special.
Q. How has your relationship with the ocean changed, if at all, since your injury? Has it deepened in new ways?
Collin - I definitely think my bond with the ocean has been strengthened, and she's provided such amazing days so far. I'm still very new to adaptive surfing so I'm excited to see how my relationship with the ocean and the outstanding people that I get to enjoy it with grows in the future.
Q. What does community mean to you and how has your community supported you through this journey?
Collin - Community is everything. My family and I always talk about how there is absolutely no way I could be where I'm at today without such an unreal amount of support. I've been able to connect with so many new people that have helped me in so many different ways, it's hard to think about life without them. I'm so incredibly grateful and try and thank them as much as possible, I'm struggling to put into words how much they've helped me in the last year and a half, and even beyond that as well. My Santa Barbara community, the San Diego community, the Craig community, and everyone else that I've had the pleasure of crossing paths with, thank you.
Q. What grounds you and brings you hope and inspiration in moments of frustration or difficulty?
Collin - I think this ties into the previous question well, knowing I have such an amazing support System in place allows me to be who I want to be and gives me the courage to do what I want to do. Everybody has bad days, and I'm not afraid to admit I've had more than a few since last April, but I've had more than 10 times as many phenomenal days with rad people, and that's definitely what keeps me going.
Q. What advice would you give to others facing challenges or setbacks in life? Or what do you hope others can learn from your story?
Collin - Just keep going. It absolutely gets better. Some days it definitely does not seem like it, but then you get that one moment that reminds you of why you're here. I'm not a life coach or a mental health guru but I can say that if you try and spread happiness and positivity, it also tends to find you as well. Never take anything for granted.
Q. Looking ahead, what are some goals or the things you’re most excited about or looking forward to as you continue your recovery, your involvement with High Fives Foundation, and pursuing your MBA?
Collin - I want to continue to push myself with adaptive surfing, and spend more time with such a dope surfing community in San Diego as well as Santa Barbara. Pursuing my MBA at University of San Diego is definitely the main bucket list item at the moment! Very stoked to be in a wonderful program with some great people. I think becoming more involved with High Fives Foundation and the Challenged Athletes Foundation would be a huge step forward for me, giving back to these foundations that do so much for the community would be awesome. I think most importantly I want to continue spending time with the people I love and my amazing friends (who I also love hahahah), smiling through life with them never gets old.
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Follow along Collin's journey here
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