The morning dawned quiet and beautiful. We still had the paddle board until noon. At 9 am, after feeding me a good breakfast, my husband looked at me and said, “Wanna try one more time?” That was all I needed. A little encouragement from someone else, because I had been thinking the exact same thing. We decided we’d drive down and go up on the beach and check the waves. The tide was slowly coming in and the seas were a foot or less. Mostly less near our shore. We went back to the truck and maneuvered the beast back onto the beach.
Once in the water, my husband held it steady and I climbed on. Silly me just decided I’d stand right up on it. Wrong. Down I went into the water. I climbed back up on it a second time. My husband, wise soul that he is, suggested just sitting on it for awhile. I did. It worked. Pretty soon I was paddling up and down the beach easily.
As my confidence built, I eventually stood up on my knees and practiced maneuvering the board with my lower body. I don’t know why the paddle board people don’t tell newbies to start out sitting. Especially one like me who has never kayaked or paddled anything on water before. I finally relaxed and looked up at the expanse of the ocean as I “drove” across it. Beautiful. Exhilarating and relaxing at the same time. I wanted to do this for hours – but my knees didn’t. I knew I’d have to stand sooner or later.
The more sure of myself I got, the braver I got. I began practicing turning around. That was the hardest part of all because I had to battle against the waves. It took a lot of strength and a lot of crashing upon the beach before I made one successful u-turn. After two hours (my patient husband sitting on the rocks keeping an eye on me) and I decided we were hungry and tired. We maneuvered the beastly board back up the beach path and into the truck. My paddle board adventure was over for this year. I have to give special thanks to my husband and daughter for dragging this beastly board up and down this beach for two days. Without them getting on “board” with me, I couldn’t have done it. I have the best family a mom could ever want.
I’m glad I went back out this morning to try. I would’ve wondered for days if I should’ve attempted it again. It reminded me all over again of how we learn to navigate new territory. Step by step. Kneel before you can stand. Get the feel of the waves. Realize you cannot manipulate their force. Learn to use the paddle to work with them in tandem. Little by little nurture that confidence you started out with. Become stronger. Respect the sea. It’s not out to love you or get you. It’s just there. Learn to work within its parameters. When you realize you went too far, turn around. Turning around is the hardest part and takes all your strength. Don’t quit. You are part of something bigger.
I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, I’ll be doing a true S’UP in 2013. This was a truly memorable, bucket list morning.
And so, as another day goes by, I lay warm and dry in my beach chair, happily satisfied that I didn’t give up, soon to drift off and nap to sound of the waves, and …I have written.
Leave a Reply