Boogie-Boarding

I have always enjoyed the ocean. The sound of its powerful waves, crashing onto the sand at the shoreline fill me with one desire: boogie boarding.

Boogie boarding is surfing for those who do not live near the ocean. Instead of being tan, coordinated beasts of the ocean, that shred up waves with unbelievable skill on a surfboard, those like I are milky white, awkward land-lubbers that prostrate ourselves on foam boards, hanging on for dear life. Despite my short-comings, living in an obviously landlocked state, and all, I took great joy in my opportunity to boogie board.

After a short stop at Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach, Florida to pick up a board, we hit the ocean. Stepping over the sand dune, leading down to the ocean, a beautiful sight was beheld by all. The humongous three and four foot swells, breaking down to the water, carrying many a boarder back to the shore was fantastic.

My brother and I ran to the waterline, tearing off shirts, shoes, and socks as we flicked sand on beach goers, burned our feet in the sand, and frightened a little kid or two in our frenzy. Everything was perfect.

Cringing our way in, we tried to get used to the water before anyone or anything could splash us, making us all the more colder. While we glanced around, still taking in the surroundings, we failed to notice a tiny little wave that hit us in the midsection, and splashed water all over us. Burr! At that point, it was better to just jump in. And we did.

We hopped and swam our way out to the big waves. The waves worth riding.

Wave after wave battered us as we tried to find the perfect one to ride. None of them seemed to be the the right one. Occasionally we would try this one or that, but for the most part, they refused to carry us.

Then, the perfect wave loomed on the not so distant horizon. It beautifully rose above our heads, and was going to crest any second. With all haste, I turned around and ran from it, pressing the board to my chest, ready to ride. The watery monster began turning white and began to fall over me, but I was not going to let it go without catching a ride first. I dove away from it and began to paddle, feeling its power surge around me. I was thrown forward, skipping, sliding, and speeding across the water in front of me.

Glorious.

Little did I realize the monster's jaw was closing around me, but grinning, I continued blissfully for another few seconds.

WHAM! Gallons of water hit me in the back like like a freight train. I flipped forward, shooting deep beneath the water. The time I was tumbling beneath felt like hours, and I was so disoriented, that instead of coming up for a breath of air, I went down for a face-full of sand. Realizing the surface was the other direction, I pushed up, and gasped for air. Only, instead of pulling in air, I swallowed a mouthful of salt water.

This instance did not deter me, however, and I was able to continue on boogieing to my heart's content.