There is a really cool surfing wave pool set up in the middle of Vienna for the summer. We went and watched the surfing one day and Elora begged to get a chance to go surfing. We booked her a session, and off she went!
This girl was so excited to try it. We explained that she would fall, and it might be hard, to which she said, “I KNOW! But I am so excited!”
There are several participants, so you get to take turns trying out the surfing. The instructor helps you get on the board, and then tries to steer you toward a bar to hold on to while you try to keep your balance. Elora was by far the smallest one out there, just barely above the minimum weight. Elora would get on the board and then fall every time she reached for the bar. She tried again a few times, and really struggled with it. She got a bit frustrated, but she didn’t give up!
The first time she kept her balance for a little bit, there was cheering from the crowd! She didn’t stay up real long, but we were so glad she finally got a taste of surfing!
There was a bit of frustration and a few good pep talks from mom and dad and some more tips and help from the instructors as this amazing girl tried to get the hang of it. Chris and the instructor both suggested she try to use the other foot in front, so she switched sides just as they removed the bar for the free surfing part of the session.
This side of the pool, and not having a bar to reach out for ended up working way better for Elora! She got a little ride on her board, and was so excited.
On her last try the instructor held onto her so she could ride for a bit before letting go. Elora did not want to let go of the instructor though! She ended up riding just a short time before falling, and was worried that she had not done well. She was expecting it to be easier than it was. It was so hard to watch the full range of emotions in this sweet girl – excitement, determination, frustration, demoralization, a little bit of hope! and then another fall. I was so impressed that she kept trying, she asked the instructors for help, and even though she wanted to give up at one point, she got back on the board and had a small success to end her session. She said, “The board was so heavy! It was harder than I thought. Do you think I did okay? I just kept falling!”
After being reminded how long it took for her to learn to ski and that the most important part is that she didn’t give up, she felt good about the progress she made and that she was able to enjoy a couple rides at the end. Today she was talking about surfing yesterday and said, “It was so great the couple times I actually stayed up to ride!”
