Currently the surf report is calling for 1 foot waves in Virginia Beach. Rats. I'm off for Easter break this week and next and was hoping to catch a few. After all, we don't want to get to Hawaii in July rusty, now do we? Someone asked me the other day if I could still surf at the age of 72. I told them, "It's like riding a bike -- you never really forget."
That said, I will admit that the older you get, the better shape you need to be in for all the paddling surfing requires. Hence today's back and arms workout.
It's these muscles that will have to do the heavy work of getting me out to the breakers at the South Shore of Oahu. They'll also be asked to be get me up the Riffelhorn in August.
Old I may be. If you are new to surfing or mountain climbing, you may be too. But by accepting the challenges presented to us by our choices and our genetics, we can work at being the best surfer or mountaineer we know how to be. Every day gives us an opportunity to improve. It may be that, like me, the more you train, the more connected you feel to your past surfing successes. Before you know it, there will be times when you will imagine yourself dropping into an 8-footer at Publics or Kaiser's in Waikiki. You will see yourself paddling hard and strong and well.
Every day that you train you are one step closer to wherever you are headed.