Surfing Is My Positive Substance

by Noah (Kailua), age 12

My positive substance is surfing. This is my positive substance because it lifts me up and boost my mood. One reason I like surfing is it challenges me physically, such as when I am paddling out to catch a wave. The feeling of riding a wave is unexplainable and exciting. Surfing raises my dopamine, which makes me feel happy and free. When I surf, I get to interact with others that have the same passion as I do. Surfing also lets me bond with my dad and helps to keep me away from drugs. Doing drugs may have a negative effect on my ability to surf, which could get me hurt. Surfing is my positive substance.