On her own; she rode the next one to the beach

Date: July 10, 2004
Time: 1100 -- 1300
Spot(s): Canoes, Baby Queens
Conditions: Light winds, typical large crowd
Swell: Mostly windswell
Surf: 1-2' Haw'n

Words: Had another great time with my daughter. This time we ventured out to the outside of Canoes. She was a bit scared at first, but eventually got used to it. One big wave nearly crested on us and Taryn ended up clinging to the nose of the vertical board, maybe five feet up in the air. Came down backwards, smooth as silk.

Carter Lee, an old surfing acquaintance, was likewise showing his kid the ropes. It looked like they had the tandem riding down pat with Carter deftly stroking into waves and his son confidently getting up. Cracked me up that his son wore goggles just like my daughter.

Later on, Taryn surprised me by asking to try and surf by herself. I was more than happy to oblige. We went out to Baby Queens since it was a little smaller and less crowded. After a few near-misses, I managed to push her into a nice one. Watching from behind, I saw her get up into a solid stance. The wave lifted her and looked like it was going to pass her by. Suddenly, she dropped down the face of the wave and rode and rode and rode. I was screaming in stoke.

When I finally swam inside, Taryn was smiling from ear to ear. We did it a couple more times before calling it a day.

Looks like Taryn is hooked. For some strange reason, I'm not sure if I want her to be obsessed with surfing. But whatever she chooses to do, I'll be behind her all the way.

Aloha from Paradise,

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