Where Passion Meets Power
The boat rocks beneath our feet as we push away from Ensenada's harbor. The morning air carries a salty bite, and the distant silhouette of Isla Todos Santos emerges from the Pacific mist about 12 miles offshore. I adjust my camera settings, hoping to capture what words alone cannot convey. As the co-founder of APEX Peak Performance Coaching, watching my partner, also APEX Peak Performance Coach, Ricardo, prepare for one of surfing's most revered and feared spots brings our mission and vision into sharp focus through my viewfinder.
Known simply as "Todos" or more ominously as "Killers," this legendary break has earned its reputation through the mountainous walls of water that form over its rocky reef. During winter swells, these waves regularly tower between 30-60 feet, creating one of North America's most formidable surfing challenges. This past February, I was privileged to witness not only Ricardo's approach to this challenge but also to learn from surfing pioneer Gary Linden, who led us on this extraordinary expedition.
The Master's Guidance
Though Gary was not surfing on this trip, his presence on our boat is magnetic. His eyes constantly scan the horizon, reading the ocean with a fluency that only comes from decades of intimate relationship with this break. "There," he points, indicating a subtle change in the water's texture where the next set will appear. "That's where you want to position—not where the wave is now, but where it's going to be."
What strikes me most is Gary's profound reverence for Todos. This isn't just a wave to him; it's a living entity with whom he has built a lifelong relationship. As he shares stories of memorable sessions and notorious wipeouts, his face lights up with genuine love for this place. I focus my lens on these moments of animated storytelling, capturing the passion that radiates from him. Though his body may not be cutting across these massive faces today, his spirit clearly rides every wave.
The surfers—Ricardo included—hang on Gary's every word. There's something powerful about witnessing this knowledge transfer, a master passing down wisdom that can't be found in any tutorial or video. "The wave has a voice," Gary seems to tell them. "Your job is to listen before you speak back with your board."
Calculated Courage, Not Recklessness
What quickly becomes apparent is how meticulously prepared our group is. This isn't reckless thrill-seeking—it's strategic, deliberate, and precise. Hours before leaving the harbor, I watch the surfers checking safety equipment, discussing contingency plans, and establishing communication signals.
Gary leads a thorough briefing, analyzing current patterns and potential hazards unique to today's conditions. He outlines escape routes and warns of shifting winds. For him, big wave surfing isn't about conquering fear—it's about respecting it, using it. Fear is information; it keeps you sharp.
Ricardo echoes this philosophy in his work with athletes, students, and executives. He teaches that high-stakes decision-making hinges on understanding the difference between calculated risk and blind courage.That difference? Preparation.
The safety protocols are impressive—flotation vests, impact training, and a buddy system ensuring no one is ever alone in the water. I realize I'm witnessing a masterclass in risk management, not risk abandonment
Brotherhood in the Face of Giants
The camaraderie I witness throughout the day is perhaps the most moving aspect of the experience. These surfers—some meeting for the first time through Gary's network—display a brotherhood that transcends competition. Before Ricardo paddles out, Gary talks to him. Words are exchanged that I can't hear, but the meaning is clear: shared respect, shared purpose.
In the lineup, the surfers call each other into waves, prioritizing optimal positioning over personal glory. When one takes a particularly heavy wipeout, the collective concern is immediate and genuine. They celebrate each other's rides with hoots and flying spray from pounding the water. I am grateful that I am able to zoom in brining these distant moments close, freezing expressions of triumph and solidarity.
Between sets, Gary's passion radiates from the boat. He's practically levitating with excitement when one of the surfers makes a critical drop. "That's it! That's exactly what this place demands!" he shouts, his voice carrying across the water. His enthusiasm is contagious, and I watch as it visibly emboldens the surfers to push deeper into the pocket on subsequent waves.
During a lull, the surfers—ranging from business executives and entrepreneurs to young local surfers—gather near our boat, floating on their boards like a meeting of aquatic elders, exchanging observations about the changing conditions. Gary leans over the gunwale, sketching wave patterns in the air with his weathered hands. There's laughter, focused discussion, and a palpable sense of shared mission.
The Linden Legacy
Few names are as intrinsically linked to Todos Santos as Gary Linden. Though he isn't surfing today, his legacy rides every wave through the specialized boards he's crafted specifically for these conditions. Since the 1980s, when many considered Todos Santos too dangerous to surf consistently, Linden has been pushing the boundaries of board design to match this wave's unique character.
His innovative gun designs, with their distinctive rocker profiles and rail shapes, have evolved through countless sessions at this very spot. These boards have allowed generations of surfers to push the boundaries of what's possible in massive surf.
Facing the Beast
The waves here don't just roll in; they seem to gather the ocean's full force before exploding over the reef. Each approaching set prompts a new round of focused advice from Gary, his enthusiasm never waning despite hours on the water.
"This next one," he calls out with mounting excitement. "This is the one we came for!"
I watch through my viewfinder as Ricardo commits to a massive wall of water, applying exactly the positioning Gary had advised. The resulting ride becomes an instant highlight, with Gary's jubilant reaction suggesting it's as satisfying as if he'd ridden it himself.
I catch fleeting moments of yearning in Gary's expression. His recent hip surgery has sidelined him, keeping him on the boat rather than in the lineup. Though he never complains, I sense a master forced to mentor when every fiber of his being longs to be dancing on that wall of water.
What's remarkable is how Gary's passion has clearly infected everyone. As the day progresses, I notice the surfers pushing incrementally further, taking off deeper, holding their lines longer—not from recklessness but inspired by Gary's deep understanding of what's possible here. My camera documents this evolution throughout the day, a visual record of growing confidence and skill—perhaps in part fueled by an unspoken desire to honor Gary by surfing with the commitment he would show if he were alongside them.
Bringing It Back to APEX
As our boat turns back toward Ensenada, with tired but elated surfers aboard, Gary's influence remains palpable. He's still analyzing, still teaching, helping the surfers process what they experienced and how to build on it next time.
Ricardo, still buzzing from the session, "What happened out there," he explains, "is exactly what we are doing at APEX and teaching our students. It's not about eliminating risk—it's about understanding it deeply, preparing meticulously, and approaching it with respect rather than fear."
I reflect on what this experience offers to the framework we are creating:
Mentorship matters—Gary's deep understanding, rich history, and presence on this trip had a profound impact; his knowledge and passion elevated everyone's performance.
True excellence requires both boldness and boundaries—The surfers pushed limits within carefully established parameters.
Community amplifies capability—The shared support and encouragement enabled achievements that would have been impossible alone.
Passion is contagious—Gary's deep love for Todos Santos inspired everyone to connect more deeply with the experience.
The horizon swallows Isla Todos Santos as we return to shore, but the lessons of this hallowed place remain. Scrolling through the day's photographs on my camera, I see not just big wave surfing but a visual narrative of mentorship, courage, and community. At APEX, we'll continue drawing parallels between elite athletic performance, personal excellence, and business leadership—now with fresh insights from one of surfing's most challenging and revered testing grounds, experienced alongside one of the sport's true pioneers.
What I witnessed and captured wasn't just big wave surfing; it was a perfect embodiment of how to approach any significant challenge: with knowledge, preparation, respect, and the guidance of those who have gone before. It's this approach—not reckless abandon—that allows ordinary humans to dance with extraordinary forces, whether they're walls of water or the equally powerful currents of business and life.