Watch me ace the baby waves at Playa Cerritos in Baja!
I’m not going to flatter myself, surfing is a tough sport.
It’s one thing to ace the baby waves with instructors nearby (which is what I’m capable of), and a completely different world to face the double overheads (which I don’t even want to think about trying). The first time I tried surfing was successful in having fun and making a fool of myself, but actually surfing? Not such a success.
However, I did recently completely redeem myself in Baja, which merits a celebration for renewed confidence in trying uncomfortable things.
I’ve always thought that surfing is a lot harder than it looks, partly stemming from my fear of water, and partly because of my struggles the first time I tried it. Seven years ago in hot Hawaiian sun, I was left chafed, sore, and humbled with an entirely new level of respect for surfers.
It doesn’t help that I grew up on skis and naturally reject anything that makes me ride sideways, but I just couldn’t get the “hang” of it. The “baby waves” in Waikiki were more than enough to test my strength and bravery in an environment where I was wholly uncomfortable. Don’t even talk to me about Pipeline, it makes my stomach turn.
Looking back, I can see why the first experience was nothing but an adventure at failing to surf. After renting longboards on the beach and getting briefed on “how to surf” by a friend, my girlfriend and I flopped into the water with great expectations. They were quickly squashed. I managed to stand up once, but not long enough for my friend to snap a picture before I started my premature dismount, crashing not-so-gracefully into the ocean.
When given the opportunity to try surfing again on a recent trip to Mexico, I hesitated and jumped on it all at the same time. I’m used to being good at sports, and surfing had definitely defeated me the first time. Could I redeem myself? I needed to find out.
Like any good tourists would do, we started this surfing experience with real lessons (highly recommended for obvious reasons). Before the lesson even began at Cerritos Surf Colony in Baja California Sur, the instructors at Baja Surf Camp gave us wetsuits and rash guards. Brilliant. We welcomed them, not just because of the chilly off-season water, but because they would prevent the chafing against our ribs that I had suffered the first time.
Our lesson started out on the sand, where in a neat little row, we all pretended to paddle, paddle, paddle, and then pop up when prompted. The beach dogs helped us, everyone was smiling, and we were all anxious to hang ten. After a few runs through this process, we took to the waves with our boards like little kids lining up for a water slide.
As much as I’d like to say I became a pro in five minutes, this is the part where I can’t take much credit. The instructors made this the easiest surf lesson in the world. They held my board and waited for the right (tiny) wave, then sent me off paddling and told me when to stand up. I followed their prompts, paddling and popping up on cue, managing to surf all the way in to the beach on my first wave.
I could get used to this.
During our one-hour lesson, I managed to ride about five waves all the way to shore. For a girl who couldn’t last five seconds the first go-around, I measure that as a complete success. If only surfing was always this easy, I would try it more often!
I realize my circumstances (perfect weather, brilliant instructors, great group of friends, tiny waves, etc.) were ideal for a beginner surfer, but this experience was exactly what I needed to give me the confidence to try surfing again in the future. And if it’s what you need, go to Playa Cerritos in Baja California Sur and take lessons with Baja Surf Camp, and you can become a pro at baby waves, too! It’s the challenge and excitement that made it memorable for me, and at the end of the day, that’s what trying new things is all about.
