It’s hard not to find some sense of bliss on your vacation to Oahu. For me, being outside and being active feeds my soul. Throw in some live music and I’m a happy camper. It’s no surprise then that following cliff jumping and sea kayaking, surfing was my favorite activity in Waikiki. Who would’ve thought that I’d have a big ol’ bruise on my face to remind me of just how much fun I had.
The afternoon started on the beach with a lesson in how to stand up on a surfboard. Our instructor, Barney, broke it down into five easy steps. Picture doing the following on a crowded beach with lots of people staring at you. Starting position was laying down on the surfboard.
1. Shift your weight onto your knees and get on all fours.
2. Move one foot to chest height and keep your hands on the board.
3. Raise the lower half of your body, getting both feet flat on the board.
4. Let go of the board with your hands and stand up.
5. Turn both your feet to the side and enjoy the ride.
Sounds easy enough, right?
Amazingly enough, it was. Let me give a disclaimer here to those that have tried surfing and are blasting me right now for saying that, (of all things), it was easy.
For one, I had the longest board known to man. Well, it felt like it at least. The longer the board, the easier it is to balance and stand up. This makes a huge difference for beginners. Secondly, in the water, the instructor told me when to start paddling, and gave me a hard push to help catch the wave. This method was the training wheels of how to surf. Hey, I’m not complaining, my self-esteem thanked him. Compared to my other attempts to surf, this was the best way to learn. Hands down.[adsenseyu2]
Unfortunately I collided with a surfboard while trying to swim over a wave, and I have a nice bruise on my chin to show off back home here in Seattle. I like to joke that you should see what the surfboard looks like. 🙂
Later in the week, a Mai Tai and live music at the Kani Ka Pila Grille at the Outrigger Reef completed my bliss. The Hawaiian musicians playing were recently featured in the soundtrack of “The Descendents”, and they were the perfect source of entertainment for a clear, breezy, Hawaiian evening. Mai Tai in hand, I felt myself decompress and wished everyday could be as completely blissful as the days I experienced in Oahu. (Just without the bruise.)
Many thanks to Outrigger Reef and Waikiki Beach Services for their hospitality. My opinions, (as well as my bruise), are all my own.
All photos taken by Joslin Fritz.