106.9 the Point

A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of helping my surfing guru Brian while he gave lessons to guests from the 106.9 the Point radio program. I met Pam Kelly, afternoon deejay, as well as the marketing director and the rest of the important 106.9 creative crew. Brian asked Robin and me if we would just be nearby in case he needed help running errands or had a lot of walk-up lesson traffic. We could then help him with pushing those taking lessons into the waves. What fun!!! The radio group was fantastic, and gave Brian a chance to share his surfing skills, as well as get publicity for his C-Sick Surfing and Way Cool Surf School. I took a few photos during the event as did Robin as did the 106.9 marketing manager. At one point, the radio photographer asked if I would take the 106.9 the Point sign and surf in holding it. I would have to do it in the white water because he didn't have a telephoto lens. So, I stuck the small sign in my mouth and paddled out. I started out a little past the beginning of the white water, caught the wave, popped up and held up the sign. I was proud. He said that he wasn't sure he got it, and Robin, who had also decided to take a photo, knew she didn't get it. So, they asked me to do it again. I did. The photo is on the 106.9 the Point website. How fun! However, looking at the photo is difficult 'cause I look so spastic...more spastic than I feel. I always think I look smooth, but the photos show all (www.106.9thepoint.com). I'll just have to keep practicing. It's fun, though, that I am now on THREE websites as a surfer. Who would have ever thought?

Am I the best you've ever seen?

My surfing guru/friend Brian double-booked himself this weekend for lessons. He was bringing in a couple of the instructors from his on-call staff, but he contacted me to see if I could help him. While I'm not quite ready to give a lesson, I can step in after the first hour of instruction and help people get into waves. He had a family of four and a nine-year-old boy scheduled for 9 a.m. He is allowed by the the beach powers-that-be to have one instructor per four people, which is why he had called in his staff instructors. However, because he is meticulous about the way he gives lessons, he wants to keep a close eye on everyone. So, he sent me an e-mail to explain that he needed me to help with the surf "portion," of the lesson with the nine-year-old so that I could help him get a true "surfing" experience. I was actually excited about doing it.

On Saturday, I went down early. Saturdays are usually my cycling days, so this was different for me. I arrived at the beach around 7:45 a.m. to find small, but consistent waves. I spent about an hour-and-a-half having a ton of fun. I caught wave after wave and continued my practice of trying to turn the board. My problem, though, is that it takes me too long to make the turn; so I'm always too close to shore when I finally make it. That, of course, makes me look like the amateur that I really am.

At around 9:30 or 9:45, Brian waved me in. I walked over and introduced myself to Hadyn. His parents and sister were there also. (I asked his sister, who looked like she was 12ish, why she didn't want to surf, and she said that she originally thought it would be boring, but now she wished she had signed up for a lesson.) Hadyn was apprehensive, but I took him out and told him I would help him catch a wave. The day was perfect for this. Brian walked out with us and explained to Hadyn how surfers paddle out. Hadyn did everything as instructed and was fabulous. He was standing by the fourth or fifth try, and seemed to have a blast. Of course, so did I, and I cheered every time he stood, which made everyone around us notice how much fun we were having. At one point, Hadyn asked, "Am I the best nine-year-old you've ever seen?" The question made me smile. Little boys can be so competitive, as can I, but I've never thought to ask anyone if I was the best 47-year-old surfer they'd ever seen...possibly 'cause I knew I wasn't. But, Hadyn wanted to be the best, and he was pretty darn good. I told him "yes"; partially 'cause that's what he needed to hear, but also because he definitely had potential. Although he had been so tentative at the beginning, by the end of the lesson he told me that he was ready to save his money and buy a board. I suggested that he pool his money with his sister and go in halves for a surfboard. He frowned. "I don't want to share with her," he said. Again, I smiled. His parents seemed thrilled to find something Hadyn was interested in. Everyone seemed happy. I know I was.