SUMMER TIME IS PARTY TIME! ...But What If You're Doing It Sober?
Hey friends,
What are your favorite summer plans?
For me, it's simple: beach, water, sun—ideally all three, surrounded by people I love. I’m in my element with salty air and sandy feet.
But for a lot of people, summer fun often comes with adult beverages—cold beers, fruity cocktails, or a splash of wine with friends. And hey, I get it. I'm not here waving a teetotaler’s flag or marching in the Pure Water Army (yes, that’s a real thing).
Recently, I heard Pastor Jason from Journey of Faith say:
“Drinking alcohol isn’t a sin… but some of you probably shouldn’t drink.”
That struck true for me. Let's friends, if you're wondering whether it’s possible to have fun, be a grown-up, and not drink—I'm here to tell you: Absolutely, yes.
But it might take rethinking a few things—like your rhythms, your relationships, your go-to beverages, even your Friday nights. And for sure, it affects your spiritual life too.
My Story: Surfing, Sobriety, and Starting Over
When I got sober, I actually gave up surfing for almost two years. Not because I didn’t love it anymore, but because I didn’t trust myself. At the time, my surf crew was also my party crew, and I wasn’t sure I could say “no” if someone offered me a drink or something more. I had to hit pause.
As I grew in my recovery, though, I began to rebuild. Slowly. With a new community. New rhythms. And eventually—I got back on my board. That season taught me something powerful:
If you're a follower of Jesus, you already have what you need.
The Spirit of God lives in you—bringing comfort, counsel, and courage to discover a new life: a life of sobriety, purpose, and real freedom.
But here’s the key: You won’t know it’s true unless you live like it. So what does that look like? Let me offer a few ideas.
Sober Living in the Summer: Three Keys
1. Your Crew:
Who you spend time with matters. Big time. Surround yourself with people who are also choosing growth, healing, and fun without substances. These are your people—especially in this season.
2. Your Drink of Choice:
Have something in your hand. I’ll usually say, “Water with lemon” or “Coffee, please.” Find a go-to non-alcoholic drink you enjoy. Most people won’t notice what’s in your cup—but you’ll definitely notice how much better you feel the next morning.
3. Your New Adventures:
Love concerts, beach days, road trips? Try them again—sober. Yes, it might feel different. Even awkward. But it’s also a brand new experience waiting to be reclaimed. Don’t do it alone—invite your sponsor, a friend, or someone from your sober crew to join you.
A Quick Surf Story (and the Birth of The 4th Chapter)
After finding a few friends who were newly sober and loved surfing, I was ready to dive back in. There was already a sober biker club called The 5th Chapter, so I figured—why not a surfer’s version?
We called ourselves The 4th Chapter (not official, but definitely serious... well, as serious as surfers get). I even made a logo and slapped it on a T-shirt.
We hit the road—San Diego, Baja Mexico—camping on the cliffs of La Fonda, eating fish tacos, surfing good waves, and gathering around fireside meetings. We shared life, laughter, and a shared commitment to living clean and free. Later, I got involved with the Gratitude Retreat’s board and helped host a few sober surf contests. Along the way, I met legends like David Nuuhiwa and Linda Benson—and many more amazing people who are still surfing and still sober to this day.
What a life.
Your Turn
We’d love to hear from you:
What sober adventures are you planning (or dreaming about)?
What’s your go-to drink these days?
Hit reply or drop me a note at Dan@HarborRockRecovery.org. And if this newsletter made you think of someone in your crew—pass it on. Let’s keep building this beautiful, wild, and sober life together.
