I was able to go stand-up paddleboarding with my sister for the first time. We were out for one hour at Jericho Beach with rentals from Windsure Water Adventures. I saw one cargo ship fairly close to the beach and set my goal on that one but as we set out and figured out our speed, created a stretch goal of a further cargo ship, farther than I’ve gone before in False Creek.
The following summarizes some of the experience and how they translate so closely to life.
- Even if you have the best intentions, things may not go according to plan and you just have to roll with it to deliver.
We set out east, against the wind. Every other time I have been to Jericho, I’ve set out west because it was an easterly wind. When my GPS chimed that we had been out for 30 minutes, we turned around and I was looking forward to coasting a little back, feeling the wind’s help. Just like a month ago when I was at Jericho, the wind died down completely and you felt the full resistance of water, and then some, slowing your progress. But the rental is for one-hour and I didn’t want to know if they came down strict so you just keep going. That’s why we turned around at 30 minutes, in case it took the full time to get back. - Sometimes you can easily gauge your progress. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like you’re going anywhere. As long as you’re pointed in the right direction and keep up your efforts, you will make progress.
Sometimes you have the luck with you or something, and you can see from the mile markers and it’s all good sign of moving along. And sometimes it seems like your efforts are futile because you feel the resistance and there’s no external point you feel like you’re passing, but it’s only futile if you stop altogether. - You don’t have to razzle-dazzle and stand out and up. If your comfort level is something less cool, and you’re getting the job done, you do you.
While I might have been more about getting the distance logged in RunKeeper, getting to the cargo ship, MY may have wanted to complete the stand-up part of having gone SUP. That’s cool. No judgement. I went a little farther out than she did and she practiced all her muscles to stabilize herself. - Stay the course and know the hazards. You have the mettle to ride out the big waves.
Even a small speedboat can cause a ripple effect to us on SUP and a large speedboat cut across our bath. It appeared to be steered by two men, one of whom shouted to us, “Sorry! Not sorry!” And we braced for the waves while I seethed inside. What was the point of saying that?! Way to harsh my zen! It wasn’t too bad at all the waves that resulted and we got through it because we knew it was the effect.