SUP Adventure On!

Meet me at sunrise when the water is still calm," my newly made Maui friend smiled.

Stand Up Paddleboarding or SUP was something that has maturity on my list of "those things I want to do before I die."

My reasonable self suggested there would be some skill level, knowledge of safety concerns and throwing caution to the wind to make this adventure have a successful outcome.

Let me see "throwing caution to the wind" CHECK. Good At That.

Some skill level (NOT CHECK) and knowledge of the safety concerns" HALF A CHECK.

I am a brave girl. I am strong. I have looked far greater challenges in the eye and coldly and stared them down......Fully confident and as apprehensive as my first solo bike ride I took in a deep breath, straddled the board and pushed through the waves to the calm ocean beyond. The smile I felt on my face and sense of freedom and independence was indescribeable.

Once through the waves I continued paddling still sitting on the board. With several experienced SUP boarders by my side, 2 large sea turtles swam below me within touching distance of my feet. This midwest girl who loves the water but has a deep respect for the ocean was way out of her element. But with that said the level of calm was overwhelming.

As I sat on my board contemplating the next step of actually standing up, tears rolled down my cheek. I could not speak as the divine sense of peace within me overcame my being. I have always been one to do things on my own and within my own time and as my 2 excellent teachers attempted to give me many directions I just needed to be for awhile.

So off they went to visit friends....yes it was like going to the local coffeeshop except for we were a mile from shore in the Pacific Ocean. As I was left to my own accord, after about a half a dozen attempts to stand up, it happened. For less than a minute, I stood up, strong and tall, all on my own, in the middle of the ocean's vastness.

It wasn't the physical part of the act, the strength was there,it was the mind over matter, the confidence knowing I was going to be okay even if I fell. It is like life.

Challenging, difficult acts confront us often but it is the outcome which makes us better and better everyday.

We fall down and get back up at many places and times in our lives. Most of us live doing the safe things but every once in awhile you just need to do something that scares you. You won't regret it and you may find you want to do it again.

I am going to. This was just a practice run!

#Maui #travel #kula #kulabistro #hanahighway #SUP