Surf's Up!

     This past weekend we splurged and took surfing lessons as a family.  Whew!  I had no idea how physically demanding this sport could be.  Needless to say, I am not your "hang loose" surfer girl.  My daughter, however, has some potential:)
     First of all, if you've never worn a wet suit that is an experience in itself.  I imagine it's how food feels when being shrink wrapped.  It took my husband and me both pulling and tugging to get the sucker on.  Once on I had to commence to put on gloves, booties, and a hood: the only part of the getup that didn't constrict my body to a size 4.  This effort was merely at the surf shop to "fit" my suit.  I then had to struggle to get out of the suit.  Peeling it off, with the help of Avery, proved to be much easier.  Once at the beach the process began again this time without the privacy of a dressing room.  Avery and I opted to change next to the car; Avery wearing a black bikini and myself in leopard panties and a black sports bra!  I'm sure I got lots of stares but who cares, let 'em look;)
     Once I was sealed in my suit we had to lug our boards to the beach.  We had an educational lesson from our instructor on the Recipe for the Perfect Wave.  Quite interesting information.  After that wrapped up we practiced skills on the board.  I was killing it; paddling quick to get ahead of the wave, sitting in my "whoa Nelly" position, covering my head after falling, and popping up into my surfer girl stance.  I was confident about my ability to transfer my skills to the water, so we picked up our boards and headed to the ocean!
     Let me begin by saying that I have been in the ocean before.  I've played in the surf and been hammered by waves.  None of my previous experience prepared me for tackling the surf and waves while trying to control a surf board.  Luckily the board was attached to my leg so I didn't have to chase it.  Anyway, I paddled out the instructor, "up dogged" over some waves, and assumed the "whoa Nelly" position.  I'll explain: sit toward the back of your board, hang on to the side (rails), and ride out the waves.  It's a way to stay out in the water while waiting to catch the perfect wave.
     Well,  the first wave hit and I flipped sideways and ended up completely under the water.   Little did I know this was a precursor of what was to come.  A good wave came and my instructor had me assume the take off position.  I paddled ahead of the wave, felt the wave take my board into a glide and knew it was time to pop up.  Unfortunately my pop up ended up being a fall off the side.  I continued to try and "catch" a wave but ended up prematurely in the water each time.  I managed to stay on my board for approximately .7 seconds which I consider a success.  In comparison to Avery's successfully riding two separate waves my effort was pitiful.  I don't know what it is about my daughter, be it her youth, her athleticism, or her fearlessness, it seems that she's good at whatever endeavor she tries.  She made her daddy and I look like hack tennis players.   I spent more time off my board than on it.  I pretty sure my sinuses are clear for the next month.

     After two hours of playing in the water and attempting to surf our lesson was over.  I was told taking off the wet suit once it served its purpose would be more difficult than getting into it but I had my doubts.  I am a believer!  That sucker was attached to my skin like a stuck jar lid.  We peeled off our suits, showered, dressed, and bit adieu to the beach.
      I can honestly say that I will probably never surf again.  I'm glad I had to opportunity to try and will always cherish the memory of surfing with my husband and daughter.  There's nothing quite like trying new things as a family.  If you want to find a way to bring something exciting in your weekend and bring your family closer try something new together.  Laughing, failing, cheering each other on, and succeeding are priceless and much more valuable than things.