Boogie Boarding My Way into Old Age Repost

Since I got to enjoy a couple of days of good boogie boarding on our vacation to Mexico last week, I thought I would repost this article I wrote some time ago. I will also be posting the video my husband took of me boogie boarding.

Boogie Boarding My Way into Old Age

I discovered boogie boarding less than ten years ago when I was well into my late thirties. We were on a family vacation in Mazatlan, Mexico, and the day before our trip ended, we decided to take advantage of the free boogie boards offered in our all-inclusive package. I became hooked! The feel on the waves around me, thrusting me towards the shore was exhilarating! Why hadn't anyone introduced me to this a long time ago?

 After one extremely exciting ride on a big wave that carried me swiftly all the way to shore, I noticed the people on the beach staring at me. "They must be thinking, 'wow that was quite a ride'," I proudly thought to myself. Then one of my daughters pointed out, to my horror, that my swim suit top was no longer in its original place, but sitting neatly above my…well, you know. Lesson learned: don't wear a two piece when Boogie Boarding.

 I have to admit I dreamed about boogie boarding every night for two weeks after we returned home. I couldn't wait to get into the ocean again!

 Fast forward ahead a few years to a beach on the Yucatan in Mexico. I am standing out in the Caribbean, boogie board in hand, waiting for a wave to ride…and waiting…and waiting, looking like an idiot in the calm, blue water. Lesson learned: Do not go to the Yucatan if you want to catch waves.

 Two years later, back on the Yucatan (it's a beautiful place for snorkeling, which we also love, so I sacrificed the idea of boogie boarding on this vacation. Anyway, my husband said we could always boogie board closer to home on the Oregon coast), I am lounging in the sun, when I happen to look towards the ocean…people are boogie boarding! A series of big waves has come in, and I am missing them!

 I dash across the sand to where the boogie boards are waiting, and quickly tell them I would like a boogie board. They tell me they are closed. "But I NEED a boogie board," I plead. They look at me like I am a fruitcake.

 I run as fast as my middle-aged legs can carry me back to my lounge chair and grab my inflatable floaty. I tear towards the ocean, heart pounding. I look silly trying to boogie board on an inflatable, but I don't care. God has given me these waves as a special gift, I am certain, and I catch waves until there are no more worth catching. Lesson learned: Your boogie board…never leave home without it!

It has been a few years since we have had the chance to go to Mexico, or to Hawaii, but my husband's promise of boogie boarding closer to home has been kept. For the past two years, we have been boogie boarding at the Oregon coast. It is not like the warm water we have enjoyed on vacations, but there are some awesome waves to catch. Thanks to a wetsuit, I can spend a few hours boogie boarding before I get too cold. My friends shake their heads, and tell me I am the only grandmother they know who boogie boards. One of my grandsons tells people that Grandma and Grandpa are going Boogie Boogie Woogie. I like that explanation. Lesson learned: You don't have to be young to go boogie boarding. In fact, it keeps you young!

 So, I am wondering, are there any other "pushing fifty" people out there who still find the thrill of catching a wave on a boogie board exhilarating, who can't wait for the next time they can feel the power of the ocean thrusting them through the waves, who aren't too ashamed of the imperfect older bodies a wet suit reveals, and who can feel the roll of the ocean in their sleep?  I won't be waiting for your answer…I'm heading for the ocean!