Surf Camp - July 2011

Definitely two of the cutest children on this earth are the son and daughter of our lucky coworker Jason. 

He and his wife have been told that they should just “make children for people” – and you’ll know why once you see a clip of their children surfing (and after you get past the whole creepiness factor of that idea).

Ted has had quite a bit of experience teaching kids to surf by teaching both of his children, not to mention me – essentially a child when I’m not having a good surf session.  So Jason asked us if we’d be willing to take his 7-year-old daughter out with us one morning before work.

Can you say, "Future Olympian"?!?!

Marie is an incredibly talented gymnast who’s got both balance and strength going for her, se we weren’t really surprised when on her second try, she rode the board all the way to the shore.  Once there, I helped her get the board (about three times as tall as her) turned around and back out to where Ted and Jason were waiting.

This continued for about an hour before we had to wrap up and start our work day, but we planned to meet again the next morning, a Saturday.

At 7 o’clock, we met the whole family at the state park, and Marie’s younger brother EJ also wanted to give it a shot.  While he may be too young right now, he made for some precious videography.

I know - cutest thing you've ever seen

Marie continued to improve throughout the morning, but her success was completely lost on her.  She had no idea just how well she was doing – only that she was having fun.  How great would it be if adults measured the enjoyment of activities far more than their success at them?

 

Go Pro! - July 2, 2011

Ted and I are the proud new owners of some of the coolest advancement in recreational technology: a GoPro.  These little puppies are high-definition video cameras that can be mounted to a borage of things like helmets (to capture skiing, skydiving, or anything else that requires a helmet), bikes, boats, but most importantly, surfboards.

A friend of ours got one a while back and he (a much better surfer) has the best video of some winter surfing and paddle boarding

Now, I’m most certainly not what Malcom Gladwell would have classified as an innovator in his book, The Tipping Point,­­­ nor would he call me an early adopter or even a late majority.  I’m pretty much the last to embrace new technology: a laggard.  Trend setting explained by Malcom here.

I'm sorry, who doesn't love this hair?
Photo Cred: themixedcommunity

It wasn’t until a persistent friend in college downloaded AOL’s Instant Messaging (SEVERAL years after its inception) that I started using it (and loving it, p.s.).  I dismissed the advent of navigational devices in cars because I viewed them as another way to drop several hundred on something that “does the same thing as a map” (though I totally respect their functionality now).  And when Ted first mentioned a GoPro, I thought, but why when we have a perfectly good waterproof camera that we can shoot video with?

Because they’re awesome – that’s why.                      

Check out the ridiculous hi-def(ness) going on here.  You can see the water droplets on my legs (and yes, I'm wearing a fishing hat - have you already forgotten the pterygium story)!