Surfing!

The idea of surfing started years ago, when our chosen family of Ralph, Anne and Maria introduced the idea of paddle boarding to our girls. It was years ago, in Schinias outside of Athens. Ralph had brought his "toys" and the girls took turns (or sometimes worked together) to balance themselves as the lapping waves moved the board around. They moved, sometimes too much, sometimes hanging on and sometimes splashing happily into the water before jumping right back on. 

Since then things have moved forward. The girls have worked on paddle boarding on several occasions, usually in a very informal manner with several people on top of a board trying desperately to keep a group of three or four on the board while going nowhere fast. It's been the source of lots of joy and, over time, a source of interest for our girls. Even more recently they saw a movie called "Soul Surfer" and they thought that perhaps it's time to look into things a bit more seriously. 

And so one of Amalia's presents for her birthday was a surfing lesson, one day in a three day surf camp over the Eid holiday. Off she went to a place that we recognized once we got there. It brought back memories of Ralph, Anne and Maria, in Dubai this time, introducing us to the Surf House!  At the time we were just looking around (and bought some towels). This time we were back for the surfing lessons!  

Amalia asked mommy and daddy to leave her on her own with the group, and so we did. Leaving her with a group of 18 kids and three adults, all new to her. Three hours later we picked her up. She was beaming!  Apparently she had managed to get up on her very first (admittedly small) wave and never looked back. One of her instructors said she was "annoyingly good" and as we walked away, thanking everyone, she turned to tell us all about the day. Finally she said that perhaps, next time, we could video her surfing. 

Just how much surfing is in her future (or Irini's, who is also invited) remains to be seen, but one thing is certain. She loves it!  Narly dude! :-)