learn how to surf

I know it sounds ridiculous to those who surf, but I am very afraid of trying to surf because of my fear of sharks. The ocean is so dark and sharks are so rutheless, even if I did start surfing I probably wouldn’t be good at it because I would be so fixated on how my leg is about to get chomped off! ah I need some surfer words of wisdom…and probably a mentor as well lol…I have wanted to surf my whole life, and so I will at least try. Hopefully I can actually put my fear away and master the skill one day.

i grew up in CA and i never learned how. it seems a shame. i was recently inspired by a movie called dear and yander, an amazing film made about female surfers, skaters and sailors. i have always loved the ocean. i took a lesson down in santa cruz many years ago. many of my other life adventures have been preventing me from taking on other things that i just want to do for myself. college, work ect. its time now for me to ride the waves.

i cant believe it. only 144 more days until i’m going to costa rica to learn how to surf. i’m stoked! the camp people just sent me a list of excercises to start doing to get my body ready for it. i’m really gonna have to make myself take time for this because i know these next few months will fly by before i know it. still though…... i cant wait!!! about to buy my plane tickets, then there is no turning back (like i would want to turn back from this lol).

So I was on holiday and had planned on finally getting that lesson of surfing. I was all ready, went to the club and… no golfs! I called them several times afterwards, but each time they couldn’t give any classes because there was not enough surf to surf on ;). Either way, I still want to do it and will keep trying. If I don’t succeed in getting a class here in Belgium still within reasonable temperatures, I’ll maybe get one in Lanzarote next year…

The original plan was to take the first lesson on the first weekend of July. But I had to go and fall during bouldering in June and spraining the ligaments of my left ankle. The docs said I should take three weeks of rest, so far, so good. But we are already more than a month further and my ankle still hurts. I just know that trying to hold myself upright on a board would be quite a painful action as the ankle refuses to turn without pain. So I’m afraid this won’t happen in the next upcoming weekend or so.

The next upcoming weekend promises bad weather too, so grins. But maybe I should just ignore the stupid ankle pain, it probably is just stiff from all the not-using. I’ll see what the weather says the weekend here-after and decide to take a lesson when the weather is good enough.

Still thinking about this goal though :)

I may actually do this one over summer. Still need to book though… More news later I guess.

Made a big step already, which is getting information where I can take lessons here in Belgium. I think I’ve found a good club where I can start out and the plan is to take a first lesson within a month or two (depending on the weather). Fact is, if I can’t do it, then at least I have tried it and that’s the most important thing! Maybe the title to this goal is a bit wrong, it’s just trying the surfing. I know I won’t get up on the board from the first lesson. But I just want to try and see how I like it. If I like it, I’ll try to continue. If not, at least I tried :)

so i have decided this is definitely something i want to do in the near future (well, within the next 12 months). i have found the organzation i want to use and right now i have 2 options. i can go August to Wrightsville Beach, or i can go in January to Costa Rica! here are the pro’s and con’s….

August
+ learn how to surf
+ sooner
+ lots of other fun activites
- things going on at work i should be there for
- wrightsville beach, nice but ive been there before
+/- all girls (could be great, could be awful – you know how girls are)
- cost of gas and time to drive

January
+learn how to surf
- a little more expensive
- i have to wait longer
+i have more time to save money to go
+ never been to Costa Rica :)
+ + in the middle of cold wet january i could be getting a tan
+ co-ed
- cost of plane ticket and time to fly
- cost of passport (which really isnt a bad thing cause i was gonna get it anyway – it’s on my list too)

....so far this is my dilemma. either one will be great. i guess i’m just trying to figure out which one works best for me. any suggestions??? i need to decide soon!

I had a pretty good start in the summer of 08. I could at least stand up…now I have to get back into it this summer and get into some big waves…and eventually try out a smaller board!

which would require me to get over my fear of the ocean and getting eaten by a shark or tangled in seaweed and drowning … and my hate of sand