Well it sounded like a great idea when I signed the boys up in the middle of winter (ya know when it is like freezing here at 60 degrees), but this week turned out to be more of an emotional challenge for me than a physical one for the boys. And I wasn't the only one who learned things...
Let me explain:
The week started great with both boys running to the beach to sign in before I had to call them back to the car to sunscreen all the parts of them that were peaking out of their wetsuits. They met their instructor (a girl-which I thought was even cooler) and they picked out giant surfboards (apparently the larger the board the easier it is to get up) and They carried those huge things to the water then learned a bunch of stuff about rip tides, jelly fish, sting rays, protecting their head from the board (panic for ME was starting to set in at this point) and how to get up on the board. The boys were having a great time. And then they went into the water....and the goal is to walk/swim your way out past the point where the waves 'break' (meaning CRASH with insane strength to the shore of this great continent)....and getting past this point is much harder than you would think when you are all of 50 lbs and 7 or 9 years old......the boys were thrown back to shore hundreds of times (the giant surfboard flying in the air and often landing on their HEAD) with such force that I was certain they were going to come to me after each time and say 'I don't wanna do this' to which I would of said 'me niether-lets get out of here'. But you know what? The never gave up. NEVER. While I was on the shore bitting my nails and worried sick they just kept fighting the ocean with all they had. Tuck managed to get out and stand up coming in on a wave on day one and Jack was able to as well. Day two came and I decided to take the camp's advice and DROP THEM OFF. Sounds horrible- but they had superior supervision from tons of adults and lifegaurds. I went to Starbucks (Hot Spot) for both Day 2 and 3 for the majority of the day. When I picked them up they were so tired and still HAPPY. Oh and still ALIVE, which is really what I was worried about.
Yesterday (Day 4), I stuck aorund a little to watch get photos...and as I watched it happened.... Jack was fighting his way out to the break point and he was devoured by an angry wave which shot his board sky high, that then landed on his head. His instruction and saftey guy on the beach rushed to him...no blood...but what can sometimes be as bad...TEARS. We got ice, and sat down. He cried and cried and said he didn't ever want to surf again. He was never gonna do it again. NEVER. Then he said "man why to I quit everything?" (we tried baseball, football,clarinet and nothing stuck)....so I said back to him-and this took a lot of mom strength to say "Then DON'T". I said 'Don't quit. Keep trying. Don't give up'....I wanted to say- "Of course! Please quit. PLEASE. Lets go for ice cream okay?".....sometimes it is hard to be a good mom. This was one of those times for me. Secretly I wanted him to quit because it would make it better for me, less worry, less fear. So Today was Day 5, and when I asked Tucker to go put on his wetsuit to go- Jack did too. I was really surprised....but I didn't say anything. We went to surf camp like everything was normal. Jack went out today and was able to stand up and surf on nearly every wave he tried. Seriously- he looked like a real surfer to me-and my heart filled with joy to know my boy had learned life's best lesson: NEVER GIVE UP....and he learned it on his own. He pushed himself- and he succeeded. And I learned sometimes it is okay not to 'rescue' my babies from difficult situations...Oh- and I learned surfers have more facial fractures than any other sport (from one of the instructors)...yeah they didn't mention THAT in the brochure!
(Photo: Jack with victory arms raised!)
Photo note: These lifeguard stations are being 'retired' from Huntington Beach, and being replaced with snazzy no-splinter all metal ones....bummer really...since this are still so charming. Perhaps I can buy one and use as a guest house?
Now that would be totally OC of me!
13 comments:
That is awesome, Marcy! I'm crying.
That also made me remember why I hated surfing...all that dang paddling. Constantly paddling out. My dad was always trying to teach me to surf but I always gave up because I couldn't stand all the paddling out all the time.
I think that's such a cool idea for a camp! Makes me miss the beach!
Good for you Marcy! That Jack. He is really turning into a great little man. Congrats.
Say it ain't so about the Lifeguard towers! I love those things.
Great story about letting go. I would have been going crazy.
Makes science camp look pretty dull. How come we don't have surf camp around here?
And wouldn't metal lifeguard stations get hot?
Great post. Loved it.
Hope you're now prepared for weekly treks to Newport Beach, and the cost of two new surfboards !
Oh, my heart goes out to you. The hardest thing to do is knowingly put our kids in a situation where they could get hurt. Only to be followed by a close second, having them grow up right in front of your eyes. What an amazing blog! I can't wait to read more...
Wow, I live down the street from those retired lifeguard stands. Darn, you could have had coffee at my house. In any case - great story. Next time you go surfing with the boys give me a call.
Wow, they are brave! I am such a wimp about the ocean, I won't swim out past the break, too afraid. What a great lesson for you both, and kudos for you in not pushing him or letting him give in.
Thanks for stopping by my blog, I am thrilled to "meet" another OC blogger! I am in Fullerton, actually. I have been mulling over how to do a meet-up for OC Bloggers, but haven't quite figured out how to start it. Think it would be fun, though.
T.
More facial fractures?!?
O.K.....O.K.... (Calming down)
Well, learn something new.
I am very proud of your "positive mommy moment."
You are a braver woman than I.
No facial fractures here. Although I did break a leg once in big surf in Mexico and was stuck down there for 2 days because the waves were so good no one would leave to take me home.Cheap Tequila is a passable pain killer
I'll meet you down there next time.
In Kansas we have surf like that....we just have to travel out of state for it !
Oh wow! And look at what he did when he went back. That's so amazing. All because you encouraged him.
Great post!
See, this why I'm going to be a terrible mother when the Bean gets old enough for these kinds of pursuits. Because I totally would have given into the dark side and been like, "Ummm, yeah, you should quit, let's go get ice cream and play some video games instead."
Thank God we love in Austin. I can avoid the subject of surfing altogether.
Seriously, though -- the victory arms got me.
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