David Litt's Journey Learning to Surf and Bridging Divides

From Speechwriting to Surfing

• 💡 David Litt, former speechwriter for President Obama, details his challenging journey learning to surf in his new book, "It's Only Drowning."
• 🧠 Litt, who described himself as "high functioning and high anxiety," found surfing to be a stark contrast to his usual disposition, forcing him to confront fundamental human emotions like fear.
• 🎯 His initial motivation stemmed from a low point in 2020, during the pandemic, when he felt depressed and sought an activity completely unlike himself.

Unexpected Connections

• 🤝 The book highlights Litt's relationship with his brother-in-law, Matt Kappler, an electrician and avid surfer, with whom he had little in common, especially regarding political views.
• 🌊 Their differing perspectives, particularly around the vaccine debate, initially created distance, but surfing together became a way to bridge these divides.
• ⚠️ A particularly harrowing surf experience during a hurricane swell, where Kappler sarcastically reassured Litt he was "only drowning," inspired the book's title.

Life Lessons from the Waves

• 🏄‍♂️ Litt describes the initial struggle of surfing, the constant soreness, and the feeling of not having fun, but eventually experiencing a shift as he began to chase the unique feeling of being on a wave.
• 💬 The experience taught him, and by extension the reader, the importance of not being judgmental towards others with different perspectives.
• 🧩 The book explores their adventures, including visits to wave pools and Hawaii's Northshore, all while navigating their contrasting viewpoints and personal growth.
• 🎓 Litt humorously suggests a Yale University symbol tattoo as a potential embarrassing mark for his brother-in-law, reflecting their different backgrounds and shared experiences.