Surfing is new to me … and everything is so foreign. Getting sock on and off of the surfboard… don’t know how to do it.

Awkward.

How to rinse the surfboard, how to put it on ground,how to deal with a long surfboard on a windy day? … all new. Is it okay to put it on the ground?

Using slipper to cushion board while putting sock on the board in parking lot was a good trick to learn … so was straddling the board and pulling sock over, tip up, then stand board up to pull sock down. Oversight was that I am only 5’1” and put only 1 foot of sock on tip of board and stood it up. Yeah can’t reach sock … too high up on my 9’0” long board. A taller friend had to grab it and pull it down to my reach.

All these little things!

Even making sure to have my long hair tied back in a pony tail of some sort did not dawn on me during day one – my hair was whipping me in the face when waves hit me from behind.

If you are lucky enough to have friends go with you, that is soooo awesome. I got lucky, literally, on first day out cause I went out by myself only to find a couple of friends already out there. People I did not expect to see, or had seen in a while. Surf connected us that day,and I ended up surfing with them every time I went out.

They both are great mentors and always watch what I do and give me new pointers at appropriate times. Also could see I had lot to learn as we would paddle for same waves, and while the wave would pass me over they always seem to catch it. I could see the benefits of paddle strength and experience. I was in awe at witnessing where I was at and where I needed to be.

I actually enjoyed the moment of feeling left behind and watching people ride away on certain waves. A somber moment like being left behind as you watch someone drive off on an adventure that you want to go on as well. Pretty cool and amazing how many experiences you encounter out there.

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