We drove up next to the pounding ocean waves to glimpse something I’d never forget. It was a cold, misty, 40-degree November day and our first trip to Maine. We were visiting family who moved there. Before finding our way to their home, we stopped to see the salty ocean and smelled that unforgettable odor of seaweed and shells.
Dotted along the ridge of cresting waves and swooping seagulls were bodies perched on surfboards. “Wow, surfers in the frigid waters of Maine in November?” I said to my family. “Amazing!” they replied. Sometimes moments freeze in time, unsure when they’ll reemerge.
A few years later, my high school-aged brother took up the sport, donned a wetsuit, and joined the Maine surfing community. I was impressed and slightly jealous. When he headed off to California years later, in a small car with his surfboard on top of it, I took photos. Thirty years after that first Maine visit, I am joining him to try the sport.
Jake Chamberlain – Surfer
Anytime I’ve attempted a new sport in my journey to try every sport once, I’ve needed visual aids. YouTube videos are the best place to find instructional videos. My husband uses YouTube to fix machines and learn new fishing or hunting skills, and I’ve used it for other tasks. If you are a visual learner, use this type of education.
I’ve also used YouTube on my living room television to perform surfing yoga to help with flexibility and stretching. When I was about to try WWE Wrestling, Roller Derby, and Rugby, I watched matches to see how the games were played and learned terminology. Showing up with information made it easier to perform the sport.
Central New York Roller Derby (Tracy C. Higginbotham 3rd from left, 2nd row)
Today’s Wednesday Wisdom isn’t meant to have you jump in the car with me to try surfing (although you might want to), but rather a reminder to find anything you need on YouTube or other visual social media instructional sites. Also, use Google to search terminology, history, and information to be more educated. It’s a useful and free tool at our fingertips.
If you want to watch my surfing feat, check out my social media channels this weekend, don’t laugh, send me positive energy, and I’ll send you a “shaka” and a “hang loose” signal. While I’m gone this weekend, check out YouTube videos to learn something new and maybe one day, we’ll surf together. Hang ten, my friend.
Women TIES 