I always forget the anticipation of walking into the cold water. The initial step into the water prepares you for the level of cold. When you're knee deep, you're asking yourself if you should just dive in or wade in a bit more. If you decide to wade in, you become committed once the freezing water laps onto your shorts. And don't you just hate it when you are unprepared to go further and the water rises higher than you expected. It pretty much stops you in your tracks for a second or two. Now if you decide to just dive in or jump on your board, you still get the initial shock factor, but I think you get it all over with quicker. Wading in only prolongs the agony of acclimating to the cold. It is soon over once you start paddling out.
So here is where I realize I don't have enough wax. I was already slipping off the board, but it was manageable. I work out regularly at the gym, but I realized the muscles you use to surf with are different areas than the ones you use in the gym... or so I think. I felt out of shape and it seemed like the paddle was a lot farther than before. Once in the lineup I felt better and it always feels good to be in the water once you are out there. I've always believed there is something soulfully therapeutic about being in the ocean.
Now my concern was on catching the first wave with this new gear. The last board I rode, I bought it in my early college years... oh a good 2 years ago. Okay, maybe more like 12 years ago? Anyway... I thought I could still rip it up! The first wave I caught I already got a cramp in my left calf. I'm okay. Just stretch it out I say. Next wave I try and pull a simple 360 (spin) and cramp again, plus cramp in my foot. By the third wave I had cramps in both calves and my shins and my feet. Worse cramps ever! My calves felt like hamburger. I was thinking I wasn't doing to well and for all the working out I do, I'm in bad shape!

Point of this story... quit while you are young! Just kidding! I still had a great time and I thought the board rode well considering its rider wasn't. Like with any other sport (and many things in life), it sometimes takes time to get back into the groove and it always takes a bit of practice, persistence and patience to get better. I also wondered why I ever stop going surfing in the first place.
2 comments:
Great blog site though this photo is TMI. :) Keep up the good writing!
Enjoyed the post!
Great writing and good blog!
Thanks :)
Jms @legcramps
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