I love your writing, Chris, especially that you mix things up - serious vs. not so serious, funny vs. unfunny - this is one that takes us far away from our current dismal political situation. I am way older than you and I would not try surfing but setting that aside, you really set a fine example for your children and others who think about trying something but hold themselves back for one reason or another. Great story! Thank you and I hope your soreness goes away quickly.
Damn it. Here I was beginning to wish Chris would stick to politics, when he hooked me with a personal tale of his delightfully lame attempt to surf. You share your human frailties well. I’ll keep my subscription going.
You tried and building memories with your son. That is worth it in the long run, whatever the results. My family had friends that had a summer home in Mystic, CT. They were on the water, had a dock and several boats. We visited several times as I was growing up and went out on the boats. I am not a water person but several of us jumped in the water from the dock and my feet found the seaweed. OMG, that was enough to get me right out of the water. Ew. I also remember my dad trying to learn how to water ski. My dad was in good shape, strong and quite active. Yet, trying to get up on those skis, seemed to be quite a challenge. He got out a few times but fell right back in. However, it was all memories and we would talk about it from time to time throughout the years.
Good for you Cristo for you to follow-through on Mama's largess.
That said, I grew up on Long Island and learned to surf at Gilgo Beach (yes, that one...becuase we weren't allowed to surf on the more western Jones Beach sands.
I was okay on a board, but more fun was "skim-boarding" - a circular plywood laminted board tossed into the incoming waves.
I moved to California...never surfed again, but had a couple of decades of using a "Boogie Board".
And, how much of sleeping well tonight will be due to being exhausted? (lol)
Your experience sounds about like what I would expect mine to be. (both not sure I needed to, and if I tried, the results). But, I totally share your feeling about having at least tried. Power to you! And, I hope your son took note.
I hope the rest of your vacation is angst free. :)
Good job Chris! I had a very similar experience as yours in my fifties. And like you I enjoyed both my teenage daughters successes. After several hours, I did catch a couple of “waves”. It was magical!
Chris, Thank you for sharing your experience! Humbling and honest. And gutsy for trying! It'll be a story that you and your son can retell for a long time.
I love your writing, Chris, especially that you mix things up - serious vs. not so serious, funny vs. unfunny - this is one that takes us far away from our current dismal political situation. I am way older than you and I would not try surfing but setting that aside, you really set a fine example for your children and others who think about trying something but hold themselves back for one reason or another. Great story! Thank you and I hope your soreness goes away quickly.
As long as you keep trying , you are still in the game. Thanks for the smiles!!!
That story is uplifting, brings a smile to me.
Thx for sharing your vacation. Willingness 😉
Damn it. Here I was beginning to wish Chris would stick to politics, when he hooked me with a personal tale of his delightfully lame attempt to surf. You share your human frailties well. I’ll keep my subscription going.
Good for you (in every way)!
👏👏👏 Trying is everything!
GOOD FOR YOU! And good for your son for hanging with you.
NEVER QUIT.
That's awesome!
Good work and thanks for sharing!
Chalk one up for old guys. Glad you took a shot. As the saying goes ‘If you don’t swing, you can’t hit.”
You tried and building memories with your son. That is worth it in the long run, whatever the results. My family had friends that had a summer home in Mystic, CT. They were on the water, had a dock and several boats. We visited several times as I was growing up and went out on the boats. I am not a water person but several of us jumped in the water from the dock and my feet found the seaweed. OMG, that was enough to get me right out of the water. Ew. I also remember my dad trying to learn how to water ski. My dad was in good shape, strong and quite active. Yet, trying to get up on those skis, seemed to be quite a challenge. He got out a few times but fell right back in. However, it was all memories and we would talk about it from time to time throughout the years.
Don't worry about seaweed, Elaine. In fact, my Irish immigrant grandmother would collect "dulce" and put it on our summer salads.
Extremely nutritional...tastes like the sea!!!😊😉
🤢
Malibu Chris!
Thanks Chris!! I was able to live vicariously thru you!! You did great in my opinion!!!
Thanks! It wasn't great but I did try hard!
Good for you Cristo for you to follow-through on Mama's largess.
That said, I grew up on Long Island and learned to surf at Gilgo Beach (yes, that one...becuase we weren't allowed to surf on the more western Jones Beach sands.
I was okay on a board, but more fun was "skim-boarding" - a circular plywood laminted board tossed into the incoming waves.
I moved to California...never surfed again, but had a couple of decades of using a "Boogie Board".
Many more rides compared to full on surf boards.
ENJOY!!!
I am a much better skim boarder and boogie boarder!
😉🙃 Way much more success on skimming and boogieing than on figuring out when to lunge forward for a wave.
And, how much of sleeping well tonight will be due to being exhausted? (lol)
Your experience sounds about like what I would expect mine to be. (both not sure I needed to, and if I tried, the results). But, I totally share your feeling about having at least tried. Power to you! And, I hope your son took note.
I hope the rest of your vacation is angst free. :)
Good job Chris! I had a very similar experience as yours in my fifties. And like you I enjoyed both my teenage daughters successes. After several hours, I did catch a couple of “waves”. It was magical!
The sea/ocean is magical John.
I have great memories of swimming out into Santa Monica Bay on calm days and floating.
The Pacific Ocean water seemed to have more saline, thus easier to float than growing up on the Atlantic.
Float and meditate...timeless- magical!!!
Chris, Thank you for sharing your experience! Humbling and honest. And gutsy for trying! It'll be a story that you and your son can retell for a long time.
It was fun -- in its way!
😄 Hedging your bets, C.?