Kauai- Day Five, Surf's Up!

Aloha!


I know what you may be thinking- "What happened to Day Four?" but don't worry, it's coming soon. I just need to get my pictures in order first.
As for today? It was a very good day. I think it was the best day on the island so far, because today my friends... I went surfing!
       We scheduled my surf lesson with Hawaiian Surfing Adventures in Hanalei Bay for 10am this morning. We had asked our hotel concierge where the best place to learn surfing is, and she smiled as she handed us the brochure. Now, Hanalei Bay is about an hour drive from our hotel (if you recall, we went there on day three after the lighthouse visit) but it was worth the drive. The bay is one of the most beautiful surf spots in all of Kauai! It has a sandy bottom (no rocks) and gorgeous sweeping mountain views- due to its location on the island's North Shore. You can even see the mountain and waterfalls surrounding the Waialeale crater, which is known as the wettest place on earth. You can spot it from sitting on a surf board, because there is a constant downpour coming from the clouds up there.


       We arrived at Hawaiian Surfing Adventures, which is just a little encampment of surfboards and picnic tables by the beach, around 9:45. I checked in and signed some liability waivers, and they equipped me with a bright red rash-guard shirt. It was incredibly dorky, but as I found out later, incredibly necessary. Then I met my instructor for the day, the super dreamy Tanner. That's right, I said he's dreamy.

That's me there, concentrating

Carrying the boards to the beach

        Tanner gave me some "dry land lessons" for about 20 minutes. He taught me how to lay, stand, paddle, and stand up properly, and how to turn the board in the water. He was really nice, and very patient in correcting my form, and giving me examples of what to/not to do. I've heard that most, if not all, of the instructors at H.S.A. are very helpful and generous in their instruction, so I would highly recommend them if you want to surf in Kauai. My lesson was supposed to be a group lesson, but due to inclement weather, it turned out to be a private lesson at the cost of a group (by the way, in Hawaii, inclement weather usually means 70deg. and overcast). After the dry land lesson we headed down to the beach- FYI, surfboards are heavier than they appear.

Attaching the "leash" to my ankle

Heading out into the surf

If you are attempting surfing for the first time, you should be aware that getting salt water in your mouth, and sand in your shorts is inevitable. Just accept it- move on. Also, I am told that being able to stand up on your second try is unusual. It normally takes 5-10 tries. But I wouldn't know, because it only took me two tries!

Attempt number 1

Attempt number 2!!!

 One might think that the only fun part about surfing is catching a wave, but they would be mistaken. Catching a wave is very gratifying, but the whole experience is just completely exhilarating! Even wiping out and getting sand in your shorts, or salt water in your mouth! Its all part of the experience! By the time we were done I had sand in places I never knew existed, my mouth tasted like I had just dumped salt in it, a had a giant- very not sexy looking- wedgie, my shoulders were aching like hell, and my knees and toes had welts and blisters on them that stung like the dickens, but I've never had more fun in the ocean. I'm sure I was grinning like an idiot. This has easily been my best day in Hawaii thus far.

All in all- a successful day. Hang loose!