The weekend warriors, as they are often called, are the millions of recreational surfers worldwide who eagerly wait for Saturday to arrive. It's you and me. It's all of us.
Working all week long, we count down the days until we can escape the humdrum of the office and head to the beach for a few hours of much-needed surf therapy.
It's the day we can catch some waves, feel the saltwater spray on our faces, and escape our mundane routine.
The ocean is a sanctuary for us, and the waves are our therapy.
But the road to the perfect wave is never easy, and it starts way before the sun rises on Saturday morning.
Sunday is easy-peasy. The problem starts on Monday... Here's how "they" cope with the Saturday Surfing Syndrome (SSS):
Monday
The weekend is over, and the countdown begins. Surfboards are washed; wetsuits are hung.
The sound of the alarm goes off, and instead of hitting snooze, surfers around the world spring out of bed, ready for a new week of work.
They may be office managers, teachers, or construction workers, but in their hearts, they are all surfers waiting for another weekend of crowded lineups and average waves.
Sitting in traffic or riding the train, the silent majority of recreational surfers dream of the perfect swell coming their way on Saturday.
They check the surf report, watch weather forecasts, and track the tides, trying to predict when and where the waves will be just right.
Monday is unbearable.
Tuesday
Tuesday rolls around, and the anticipation grows. A bit - just a bit.
Surfers start checking their emails, hoping for a break from work, but the reality hits them. They still have four days of work left.
The weather report looks promising, with a low-pressure system off the coast that could bring some waves. Oh, but these things change quickly, and they can be so unpredictable...
Nevertheless, they start discussing the weekend with their surfing buddies, trying to coordinate the perfect surf session, planning where to meet and which beach to hit.
Wednesday
Midweek arrives, and the excitement starts to build.
The weekend warriors are getting antsy, and the countdown to Saturday continues.
They start checking their gear, making sure their surfboards are in good condition and their wetsuits don't have any holes.
Some of us head to the surf shop, picking up new wax, leashes, and maybe even a new board if we can afford it.
Weekend warriors start analyzing the wave patterns and predicting the best surf spots for the weekend.
Every surfer knows that finding the right surf spot is crucial, and they're willing to travel miles for the perfect wave.
They start checking surf reports and webcams to gauge the surf conditions in different locations.
Thursday
Thursday comes, and the tension is palpable. We can already say, "The day after tomorrow, surf's up!"
The working week is almost over, and the weekend surf plans have started to take shape.
Surfers start to get nervous, worrying that the waves won't be good or they won't make it to the beach on time.
They keep an eye on the surf report, hoping for a change in the forecast that will give them the green light to go.
They start to feel the adrenaline rush as they visualize the wave they will ride on Saturday.
Friday
Finally, it's Friday, and the excitement is undeniable. There are smiles all over the office.
The long-awaited day has finally arrived, and the surfers are in high spirits - their minds are already in the water.
They can barely focus on their work, knowing their much-awaited weekend surf session is just a few hours away.
The surfers go to bed early - excited about the surf session - and set their alarms for an early wake-up call.
Saturday
Saturday morning arrives, and the surfers are up before dawn.
They are like soldiers going into battle, packing their cars with their surfing gear, loading up on snacks and water, checking the water conditions, and psyching themselves up for the session.
This is the moment. This is it. We drive off to the beach in autopilot mode.
We suit up in their wetsuits, grab our boards, and head out to the ocean with adrenaline pumping through our veins.
The sun rises, and the surfers paddle out, their eyes fixed on the horizon, scanning for the perfect wave.
We catch one, and it's pure bliss. The feeling of freedom, the rush of adrenaline, the roar of the ocean, it's all worth it.
We surf for hours until our arms feel like jelly and our stomachs grumble for food.
As the day progresses, the wind picks up, and the waves become choppier. Some surfers call it a day and pack up their gear, while others stay and brave the conditions.
Experienced riders know that the conditions can change in minutes, and they don't want to miss out on any opportunity.
As the sun sets, the surfers head back to the parking lot, feeling accomplished, exhilarated, and content.
They have caught their share of waves, and it's time to celebrate.
They crack open their cold beers, fire up the grill, and feast on delicious food, reminiscing about the unforgettable rides they shared.
They know they'll have to wait another week for their next surf session, but the memory of today's waves will stay with them until then.
As they drive home, they already dream of the upcoming Saturday repeating itself.
Words by Andrew Island | Surfer and Author