Beach Weekend: Snapshots #2. Surf Lessons
One thing you need to know about my family, is that we are a competitive bunch.
Which is fine is we are in an environment in which we know the rules. It can be a hinderance when we are trying out new ventures. Disappointment reigns supreme. Of course, we don’t let it get in the way of having a red hot go at whatever endeavour presents itself.
(OK, karaoke is the one exception here – singing just ain’t our thing I’m afraid!)
And when physical impediments prevent us from trying out something new ourselves, we are not above sending our kids in on our behalf. (And when I say ‘we’ here, I really mean ‘me’).
…
When we got the chance to change our jeans-and-boots for togs-and-towels, we didn’t mess around. This change in attire can shock the onlooker slightly (our suntans tend to stop at mid-bicep and stretch from mid calf to mid-thigh – known colloquially as a ‘bushie tan’). I admit to resorting to a tan-in-a-bottle to try and even up the view a little. It’s a necessary public service I perform.
…
Among the activities we jammed into our three-day weekend beach holiday was a surf lesson.
OK. When I say ‘we’ I am being a bit royal.
I actually mean Dash.
(Keep up with me people!)
The thought of me attempting to clamber up on top of a moving board would not be pretty. Not pretty at all. And no amount of spray tan could help, I’m afraid.
Also I am not a fan of sand. Gritty and uncomfortable stuff.
I am so NOT a beach babe!!
….
Enough of the prelude…
Here are our little soldiers/surfers trooping down to the beach…
Dash has that ‘oh dear, I don’t know what I am doing here’ kinda look about him…
And this is the ‘I wonder if anyone would notice if I dropped this end of the board and snuck away’ look. He didn’t.
And this is the ‘I wonder if anyone would notice if I dropped this end of the board and snuck away’ look. He didn’t.
He knew his mother was recording the event.
His chances of being unnoticed were pretty much zero.
Poor kid.
After paying close attention to the demonstration
(issued by the quintessential Aussie surfer dude)
it was time for a beach-surf practice.
Students ‘paddling’ furiously through the sand…
The thought of that sand under my fingernails makes me wince.
Dash didn’t seem to mind it at all though…
Then it was time to LEAP to FEET.
Being old and crotchety and lame, this was the part which ruled me out.
I don’t do leaping.
Then the inevitable… trying out the moves in the surf.
It was pretty cold and Dash took some convincing to actually give it a go.
(Despite eating like a horse, my child has zero body fat. And he goes quite blue unless he keeps it moving when he is in the water…)
Luckily Mr Incredible can be quite persuasive and after a couple of false starts…
Gads, I didn’t realise the board looked quite this threatening when I took this shot
(editing photos is a downright shocking process sometimes!)
… anyway, Dash soon found those feet and was away…
This was just a few minutes into the surfing proper
and he was the first of the class to get up…
and then did it again…
…and again!
…and again!
‘Let’s go surfin’ now
Everybody’s surfin’ now…’
I was cheering and hollering from the sand.
And our quintessential surfer dude teacher joined in the applause…
I was cheering and hollering from the sand.
And our quintessential surfer dude teacher joined in the applause…
I’m not sure this ‘side-foot’ style would win any ’10s’ against Kelly Slater,
but the board continued happily along in front of the small waves…
And our little man cruised in to beach like a pro.
…
And as his lips turned blue and I high-fived him (I’m a dag, I know!) and wrapped him in a towel and congratulated him on doing so well, you know what he said to me?
“But MUM…”
*teeth chattering furiously*
“I wasn’t any good…
didn’t you see?
I fell OFF!”
…
Good to see that competitive spirit is alive and well…
*sigh*
11 Comments
Kelly
Wow! I'm quite impressed with his efforts!!
As for that sand…. I'm with you. Actually, I don't particularly like the ocean, either.
Jayne
Awww, good on him!
Looks like he had a fan-bloody-tastic (chilly) great time 🙂
Pencil Writer
Loved the surfing epic! Great job, Dash! Next time you'll be even better!
Debby
Am I the only one who noticed the gratuitous bare chested shot of Mr. I? Hm? You would not be exploiting your husband to gain readership, would you, BB?
(And how red is he turning this time?)
Mom L
And where was our little Violet while her brother was raking in star status? I would love to have learned to surf, but the boards didn't make it around to my Florida coast until after I was grown. I never saw one on the beach when I was in my teens (and that was just 5 years ago, of course!) so we body-surfed!!
Nancy in Iowa far, far away from the ocean
d/iowa
looks like he had a blast! i miss the ocean. i'm confused- i thought it was winter there?? or maybe i am just losing it.
Leenie
I LOVE the toothless grin! Congrats to the new surfer dude and his mom.
Bush Babe
Leenie – the teeth are growing… almost sorry to see them I adore this gap so!!
Diane – he did. Just froze his tiny butt! It is 'spring' here. Daytime temps reaching 33 degrees C…
Nancy – post a-coming to prove I haven't singled out my son for photographic attention!!
Debby – HA. He hasn't seen it yet… or if he has he is ignoring it!!!
PW – it IS amazing how well he did… most did not manage to stand up for even a second!!
Jayne – he did. Fan-freezing-tastic!
Kelly – ya! Nice to look at, gritty to go too close to…
jeanie
"OK, karaoke is the one exception here – singing just ain't our thing I'm afraid!"
Speak for yourself, sister!!
Tell him it is about how well you fall off – and he just needs to ask Uncle V about all of that next time…
Bush Babe
Jeanie… honey… *enfolds little sister in gentle hug*… you are NOT ADOPTED. The non-karaoke gene (I am very sorry to say) did not miss you either.
But in true family style, let's just say 'buggar it' and turn up the stereo louder to drown out the off-key notes. All of 'em!
🙂
BB
Kate
Coming in a straggler here but loved the pics! GO DASH!!! He is fearless out there. Those boards look huge! He looks like a pro though and i LOVE the toothless grin, it's awesome. Kelly ain't got nothin' on Dash!