You could hit the reef, rocks, the sand, or your board and be injured. Death while surfing is rare, but is also possible. Fortunately, however, surfing is much safer than BMX or skateboarding because when you fall, you are hitting water, which is much softer than dirt or concrete. To possess the skills necessary to compete at a high level in any sport is a wonderful feeling. Surfing is no different.
World travel is one of the perks of being a professional surfer.
Aside from all the time wasted in airports and on the plane, to be able to travel the world and see so many different people and cultures, as a young person, is an amazing experience. This topic is open to a lot of debate. In my opinion, the nicest waves are found in an island chain of Indonesia called the Mentawais. The biggest waves however, are probably located in Hawaii or California.