Life Lessons From Learning To Paddle Board
I have been wanting to learn how to paddle board for years. I first saw a group of people paddle boarding in the Seattle Sound a very long time ago and thought that looked like so much fun. Years later I saw people paddle board on Deep Creek Lake where the water looked choppy, but it still looked fun. I saw people in Hawaii paddle boarding, and I just didn’t do it because I didn’t have someone to do it with me. I see people on the Potomac paddle boarding all the time, but just never found the time to try it myself. I kept thinking…your balance isn’t what it used to be, and you won’t love falling into salt water and having waves crash over you, why don’t you wait until there is somewhere easier to learn, or wait to find a place where you can get a lesson. I put it off for years.
Then, I went to St. Kitts with a good friend and stayed at the very beautiful Park Hyatt resort. It was my first real vacation in a while, one where I actually relaxed – mentally and physically. The cool thing about the resort was that they offered a daily slate of activities. There was morning yoga, meditation, snorkeling, kayaking, and…you guessed it, paddle boarding!
On the day paddle boarding was offered, I went down to the beach and met CJ, our super nice guide. Two other women showed up and none of us had paddle boarded before, so CJ decided to give us a lesson instead of the tour. He was really nice, energetic, and just incredibly positive. I got up on my knees right away and got out past the first line of surf. Paddling side to side by switching hands was definitely different from kayaking, but I got used to it quickly. I then stood up on the board, without using the paddle, just body movement. I wobbled a few times. I lost my balance and controlled my fall, landing on my knees, but I didn’t fall off the board. I didn’t fall off at all during the entire lesson! CJ told me this was incredibly rare. At first, I didn’t believe him, and he didn’t believe me when I said this was my first time paddle boarding. I said I wanted to come back down to practice again, and he said, no, you are ready to go out. His positive encouragement meant so much to me. It helped me build confidence in my abilities.
During the week I paddle boarded a few more times, each time going out a bit further. I even went over to the next cove without falling off or coming down to my knees, and CJ told me this was crazy for a newbie. It’s not easy per se, but it felt like something familiar. I’ve learned how to kayak, ski, and do other sports where both balance and keeping your body loose to adjust your movement are important. And now, I love paddle boarding!
Why did I wait so long to do this? Why did I let fear and self-doubt keep me from doing something I genuinely enjoy? I am normally a very confident person, but even I can suffer from my own worst enemy – my self-doubt. I learned so much more from CJ that week than just how to paddle board. He was a great instructor, and a genuinely nice person to get to talk to and learn about his life on St. Kitts. Isn’t it amazing how a few small things like someone being positive, and giving yourself a chance can change you for so long? I have felt the positive impact of that trip for months now. Thanks, CJ!
