Surf and Sand

Duke Kahanamoku
Two years ago, J and I went to Honolulu for our honeymoon and stayed in Waikiki. It was only a 4 day trip since we are flying directly from Las Vegas, a day after our wedding.






Once we settled in Waikiki, I had the idea of signing on a surfing class. I was pointed to a small shack in the beach. The instructors are the beach boys in Waikiki. They do surf for fun and teaching tourists like me is just a business venture. I remember paying $50 for an hour of surfing lesson plus the surf board and gear rental.

The instruction started with a quick instruction of paddling, lying on your stomach and hold on the side of the board to balance yourself standing in the middle of the surfboard.

The second portion was bringing the surfboard on the water. You paddle yourself where the most favorable waves and wait for your turn. The instructor would give you the go ahead if you can ride the wave. J was able to surf without knowing how to swim since the water is only waist deep.

I was able to balance myself for the first time. It was fun! Now, I understood why newbie surfers need to use the big boards. You need all the real estate while riding the waves. The smaller boards are for more movement which a more experience surfer would prefer.

Two years later, I was looking forward to surf when we went back. Unfortunately, we had the baby with us. I do not want to surf alone. Somebody has look after Madzie.

Instead, I enviably watched folks in Waikiki.


Beginner waves of Waikiki.


Surfer girls.


I sighed under my breath, I said to myself. "Next time."