Goal #10) Learn How to Surf

Today I learned how to surf.

Okay.  I learned how, I didn’t say I was very good at it!  Actually, I’m lucky to even be able to stand up and ride a wave.  I was falling off the board more than I was on it, though I was able to catch a couple of waves and even rode one all the way into shore.  Gnarly dude!

We spent a couple of minutes on land learning how to stand before getting right into it.  There’s no better way to learn than to just do it and figure things out as you go.  My first attempt lasted no more than a couple of seconds before I was off my board and into the water but now I had it figured out and my next attempt was the best of our entire lesson, when I rode all the way into shore.

The most difficult part of surfing isn’t surfing at all, it is the swim out into the water to catch the wave.  Besides the waves crashing against your face almost knocking you off your board, your arms get tired fast.  After a few times out I was ready to lay down and rest for a while.  If you want to get into shape, grab a surf board and hit the beach!

In all, the lesson took more than an hour and we could keep the boards longer if we wanted but Erin and I were both exhausted so we called it a day and have decided that we might rent boards in a few days and try out our newly learned skills.

If you find yourself in Kaua’i wanting to learn how to surf, go with the Margo Oberb Surf School on the south shore at Kiahuna Beach.  Our teacher, Jeremy, was as good as they get and he was enthusiastic about teaching and coaching us.  You’d be hard-pressed to find another instructor more willing to teach than Jeremy.  Mahalo Brah!

Click here to check out photos of my surfing lesson!!!