Honolulu, Hawai`i – This morning my friend Randy asks me if I would like to go paddleboarding. I was almost speechless at being asked to do something so associated with Hawai`i, something I, myself, have never done. I tried hard to hide my excitement and great fortune but I’m not sure I was all that successful.
We loaded up the car and went down to the beach. Before we left, Randy gave me what’s called a rash guard shirt to wear. This is a spandex shirt designed to protect the wearer from the sun and wind, and most probably from minor scrapes from coming in contact with the sand when you fall (or get thrown) off your board.
Randy gave a me a few pointers and we paddled out away from the shore. He showed me where to kneel on the board and where to position my feet when I stood up, and, believe it or not, how to fall. I was surprised at how good I was doing my first time out. That feeling would prove to be short-lived. I was really enjoying being out on the water. It was pretty calm (at least it was at the time), and the sculpted, verdant hills formed a perfect backdrop for the scene.
Next, he pointed out the section where the ripples in the water were getting larger and warned me that it was going to be much more difficult. Sure enough, the current got a bit rougher the further away from shore we got, just as Randy warned. Obviously, you have a higher center of gravity when standing up on the board versus paddling on your knees. I felt much better (read safer) on my knees but that’s not how you paddleboard. The rougher water threw my balance off; I could not overcome it. I must have fallen in the water about a dozen times, but kept getting back on the board and trying to stand up. It would probably take a few more days of paddleboarding to get the hang of it.
We headed west along the shoreline. A little light rain began to fall off and on. I saw a rainbow in distance, perfectly framing Randy on the water. I wished I had my camera. It would have made for an epic photo. But since I didn’t have it – and it isn’t waterproof – committing the indelible image to unforgettable memory will have to do.
As we moved a bit closer to shore and the water got calmer. Randy announced we’d be heading back in at the next beach. Though I was glad to be back in more tranquil waters, the thought that my time on the paddleboard was soon coming to an end brought on a tinge of sadness. But I was extremely thankful for this experience. No doubt about that.
Photo credit: Pixabay
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