Friday, August 15, 2008

Cowabunga, duuuuuude!..or what i learned on my summer vacation.




I have the coolest. kids. evuh. Look at this stud - out there rockin' the wave, fully intent on riding it all the way in. He's 7. SEVEN.

When I asked Thing 1 and 2 what they wanted to do this summer, Thing 2 wasted NO time in pitching the surf camp idea, while Thing 1, who I swear is 18 not 8 - said "sleep...alot". Well, where one of us goes, we all go. Sorry T1 - you drew the short end of the stick. Stop whining - get excited - it's THE BEACH FOR CRYIN OUT LOUD - who doesn't want to be at the beach?? I think he kind of snorted at me and went back to watching Jonas brothers or something else equally as stimulating on the stupid tube.

So, here is how I envisioned the week going. I would sleep until 8:15 or so, get up, have my coffee, feed the Things, and get them to surf camp by 9am. By 9:15 - THE PARENTS WERE HOME FREE. We would have a second cup of coffee, move to the beach chairs with our crosswords and our books. Take a mid-day siesta. Be sipping something frozen with an umbrella in it by 2pm. Be in margaritaville by the time the kids returned at 4pm and talk about all the FUN WE WERE HAVING over dinner. SLEEP. REPEAT.

I'm one naive MUTHA.

Here is how the week actually went. Got up at 8:15 (so far so good, right???) Made coffee. Coffee pot in condo circa 1980 = S....L.....O.....W.....DRIP. While i wait, i wake the boys.

Thing 1: "I'M NOT GOING. I TOLD YOU I DON'T WANT TO GO. I WANT TO STAY HERE. WITH YOU. THIS WAS WHAT HE (pointing to T2 snoring on bed) WANTED TO DO. NOT ME....slowly melting down...WE ALWAYS DO WHAT HE WANTS TO DO, I NEVER GET TO DO WHAT I WANT TO DO. IT'S NOT FAIR!!!!"

This is me, ignoring him. He'll see his brother dressed for the beach and be jealous and change his mind, I think. IGNORE. DON'T LOOK. PROCEED WITH PLAN.

Me: "Thing 2, get up. Camp starts in 30 minutes!"

Thing 2 gets up and gets dressed, and i feel just a tad of relief that he appears EXCITED. OK, so we're almost on track - deep breath. For all of 2 seconds.

Vinnie (otherwise known as that man i live with): "He's not wearing THAT right?"

What is the problem - it's swim trunks - last time i checked that is what MOST normal people are wearing TO SWIM, IN WATER, AT THE BEACH.

Me: "Sorry?? What are you talking about - it's fine."

Vinnie: "Uhm, yeah, if he was in playing in the kiddie pool - IT'S SURF CAMP - he needs board shorts. He can't look like a dork - run him by the surf shop on your way to camp."

OK, first of all, he does NOT look like a dork. He looks fine. Secondly, it's 8:30 in the morning, what surf shop (run by old surfers...that sleep in....helloooo, didn't you watch Fast Times at Ridgemont High..Spicoli was NEVER AWAKE BEFORE NOON.) opens before 10am? Third, I NEED MY COFFEE BEFORE I CAN EVEN BEGIN TO GET FURTHER INTO THIS CONVERSATION.

30 minutes later and $45 dollars poorer I am now fully aware that Cocoa Beach has the only 24 hour surf shop in the world. Convienently located across the street from a 24 hr Starbucks. Please tell me what happened to the 60's, weed and waves? One surfer with an alarm clock and a business plan. Perfect.

T2: "Who's your counselor mom?"
Me: "Huh?"
T2: "Who's teaching you - I've got Kyle"
Me: "'YOU'RE surfing, mommy's relaxing - but i'll be watching Pumpkin - just go out there and knock 'em dead."
T2, eyes starting to well up: "Mom, you said we were all going to do it"

Noooo, I said we were all going...and here we all are....this is going to be fun.....why isn't this fun already????

Me: "Babe, do you really need Mommy, you're going to have a blast - really - it's looks like fun!"
T2: "BUT YOU SAID YOU WOULD DO IT. PUHLEEEEEEEEZE MOMMY, SURF WITH ME".
Me: "Honey, this is really for kids, not parents. Let's walk up to the table and get you registered."

Enter Brian, the surf camp owner.

Brian: "So, what gives Mom, are you surfing with us or not? We teach everybody."

And that is how I ended up learning to surf at 39 years old.

If you're wondering how i did, let me be honest. IT WAS A FREAKIN' BLAST. I got up, I fell down and sometimes I even caught a wave and popped up like they told me to. Oh, and the surf instructor eye candy wasn't bad either. If you really want a great summer experience - go see these guys - they ABSOLUTELY FREAKIN ROCK. The classes were small, very hands on, and every kid gets personalized attention. http://www.nexgensurf.com/

And yeah, i'm going to do it again too.



































9 comments:

Michelle said...

Way to go!

I also learned to surf at 39. A group of us did lessons, and a week later my husband sent me to buy a wetsuit and I bought my very own board in November (no more borrowing). I try to get out every weekend, but lately it's just been every 2-3 weeks. Last year I did every week (yes, even through winter when the antarctic creeps up to the bottom coast of Australia). It is such an awesome feeling to be on the water, with the waves and no-one can get to you... My hubby sends me out when I get grumpy - he says I need to go out and have me time. Must remember to be grumpy more often... >;-)

Sheri @ www.careergirlinterrupted.com said...

michelle - isn't it the best escape ever?? I truly did not imagine it being so involved - meaning when you are out there, getting ready to pop up - there is nothing else that CAN be in your mind - all of your focus is on that moment. It's what i need as an escape. i love it. What kind of board did you buy?

Abbreviated said...

We don't have surfing in Kansas.

America's Next Top Mommy said...

You are WAY brave. Like totally tubular and gnarly, dude.

sandra/tx said...

I don't surf, and living where I do, the chances of learning at any age are slim to none, but I sure enjoyed reading about your experience. Love your blog. You're hilarious!

Rose - Watching Waves said...

Omigosh - you so rock! I love the way you tell the tale, girl; you have me grinning all the way. But the fact that you actually went out there and not only tried, but were able to get up - dang! I bow to your physical prowess. I've lived in Surf City USA (Huntington Beach) for 28 years and have never learned. My high school boyfriends, though, all surfed and we'd do some tandem surfing, which was a blast.

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Oh...been there, done that...too!

Loved reading your story...Funny!I wasn't nearly as graceful sounding as you, however!

Hey, how are ya holding up with the WEATHU???

Great blog!!

Sheri @ www.careergirlinterrupted.com said...

thanks girlies :)

The wethuh sux right now thanks to dear sweet fay...and i have to fly out to nashville this afternoon for work - so i'm wondering if we'll leave the ground on our own accord or have some 'help' LOL.

and if any of you nice women out there are blogger phanatics - i need some help on getting this dang thing to put the comments closer to the posts - and the posts closer together - WTH am i doing wrong??

Hugs - Sheri

Amy said...

Abbreviated just kills me up there. Kansas. snort.

I just read your whole archives! again with the snort

I pink puffy heart you!

And THANKS for the linky love. I'll be returning the favor.