Surfing Mama
What have you always wanted to try? Surfing was my thing.
I’d always wanted to know what it would be like to be out there, but many layers of assumptions prevented me from even daring to believe that I could actually do it. I was too out of shape, not that “type” of person, and the thought of finding a wetsuit that could fit my curves was profoundly intimidating. Note, the image at left is Not me! But I like her, as though she were the woman inside of me who simply knows she can do this is.
Thanks to my personal journey with Mama Renew, enough of my fears had shifted to allow me to try a surfing lesson when we returned two years later. While the wetsuit experience was still less than pleasant, I was able to ride wave after wave and couldn’t stop smiling. Still, I felt inadequate as the only member of the group unable to manoeuvre myself to a standing position on the board.
One year later, and for the past 3 days I have been slipping on a wetsuit with joy and riding massive waves all the way into shore. No, I’m not yet standing. I haven’t even tried. And the wetsuit doesn’t exactly “slip” on.
One more year of Mama Renew has brought me to a unique blend of living adventurously and having the compassion for myself to simply enjoy where I am. I may stand one day, maybe never. For now I am loving being out there in the surf with the absolute freedom to play with no assumptions, no judging, no limits, just pure beautiful play.
Surfing, by the way, is really really fun.
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And you? What do you imagine would be really, really fun, but….something holds you back?
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Ahh – something I’d love to get back into – and to sidestep the annoyance of finding a wetsuit that fit, I just bought a used one that I (finally!) found on a whim. I love the feeling of riding a wave on your belly all the way in, until you’re in only a few inches of water! And sitting on your board waaaaay out there, just bobbing around…
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Oh, how your story has reignited the desire to learn to surf for me! I have been talking about it for so many years but have never done it. A bunch of lessons with a bunch of girlfriends on the beach with Surf Sisters is on the top of my list. Maybe next summer!? Guess I should get onto that! Thanks for the inspiring story! Good for you by the way!
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admin Reply:
September 1st, 2009 at 7:16 PM
Glad to hear it! Surf sisters does great yoga-surfing weekend retreats. Funny how there are things in our lives that we talk about for years but somehow never get around to doing. Start making plans for next summer now… tho some fall surfing could be lovely as well. My first time was a cold and rainy day and it was glorious.
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Sarah: loved these notes on Surfin’ I am so happy to see you, Rick and the boys continue to explore new frontiers and add new adventures to your resume’. Love and kisses to you all; Uncle Dick
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A girlfriend and I have a date next summer to do surf sisters. I have always wanted to surf. Of course, catching part of Point Break on TV a few weeks ago reignited the thirst. Anyhow, maybe next summer I’ll see you on the beach. In our wetsuits. Or bikinis. Hah!
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admin Reply:
September 1st, 2009 at 7:17 PM
Hah to the bikini? who knows… a friend emerged in her string bikini last weekend at the mama retreat – the first string bikini of her life – and i thought – maybe just maybe next summer?
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brilliant! there is nothing like riding a wave – the raw power of the water and the thrill of connecting with it in a dance… sure to produce big fat smiles… enjoy!
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You looked better than that picture in your wetsuit, and you inspire me to stand.
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Inspiring!
What is it about surfing? It’s on my list of to-dos as well!
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Rock Climbing. No question. The thought of scaling a cliff is absolutely purely thrilling to me. Ropes to support me would be good too. What holds me back? When I became a mother a deep belief settled inside of me telling me to stay safe and not do anything risky. Overall it doesn’t feel like a healthy fear, but still it holds me back.
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admin Reply:
September 1st, 2009 at 7:19 PM
You’re not alone in that fear, steph. Many mothers have shared similar beliefs with us in our sessions. What might scaling a cliff offer you in support of your mothering?
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That’s awesome! I’ve always wanted to try surfing as well, but between three kids and my own fears we have never made it happen on one of our trips to the west coast. How to say to my family – “have a great afternoon! I’m going surfing.”????? It sure would add to the cool mom factor…
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