When I first started dating my husband, I had never dated a surfer. I thought it was most impressive how he could stand up on his board and describe surf conditions based on how the leaves were moving in the trees. My husband grew up “down south”, in the country, and the ocean and surfing were big parts of his life growing up. Also, he was (and is) a talented artist, kind and a good listener. (Hmm, maybe scratch the ‘good listener’ part after six years of marriage…?) So I thought he was just about the coolest person I’d ever met.
Our first unit was in Scarborough, across the road from the beach. He loved that he could “check the surf” from the comfort of our bed.
However…I couldn’t quite comprehend getting up so early in the morning to drive for 2 hours to get to the best spots to jump into freezing water. I also don’t get the whole driving to some secluded spot where you can walk a 2km bush track to even get to the beach, where you will then paddle out several hundred metres. And then the actual surfing begins. Hard work, huh? I am almost inspired to find a new hobby that doesn’t involve chocolate consumption. Almost..
I am still concerned each time he goes out that this will be the day he gets attacked by a shark. He laughs at my paranoia and reminds me that he is more likely to get killed driving to the surf than by a shark, to which I respond with more panic, “Oh my gosh, now I don’t even want you to get in the car!!” Yes I have a thing about sharks, I will not be the only one in the water at the beach, and I will definitely not be the furtherest one out. I think it was a report on sharks I did at about 8 that scarred me for life! But, if someone was going to get killed by a shark, odds are it would be someone who was in the water when it was dark (Night surf at City Beach, anyone?) or someone who resembled a seal with their black wetsuit. Plus, as I have pointed out, if he was to survive a shark attack, how is he supposed to get himself back to the shore a few hundred metres away, and back up a 2km bush track to get help? Damn secluded surf spots.
Now he just gets in trouble for coming home later than he planned. Or arriving home to spend time with me and the kids just in time for nap time. Or for coming home and saying ‘how tired’ he is.
I do still think he is kind of cool though. Less cool when he bends down to give me a kiss and water comes out his nose though.
Hi Caitlin this is Mia, I only just realized from your Facebook that you even have a blog! So of course I went back to toilet one involving your kids and laughed my ass off. I told my boyfriend I am using it as some kind of psychology for when we have a family - prepare myself with the worst, then hope for the best!
ReplyDeleteI read every article in one sitting by the way. I love the way you write. :)
By the way, I SCUBA dive every weekend (or try to!) and there is really nothing to worry about with sharks. I actually go out of my way to find them and really struggle to, and some divers I know have done it for over ten years without seeing any harmful ones. Grey nurse sharks are pretty common around WA but they dont bite people. If anything they are friendly and cheeky, I have heard stories of them stealing cameras and swimming off with them, then bringing them back. :)
Hey Mia! Thanks for your compliment. You should start up a blog or something, I remember in high school you were such a talented writer.
ReplyDeleteYeah I know my shark phobia is pretty illogical, I guess I can blame my wimpy Dad and the media? I still can't help but look around myself very cautiously in the ocean. I made the mistake of watching Jaws for the first time a few months back, I had deliberately avoided it my whole life but got too curious...
SCUBA diving sounds great, you seem very brave to me haha!
Bahaha Jaws has a lot to answer for. It's amazing how many Australians are petrified of sharks so you sure aren't alone! The VAST majority of people, upon finding out I dive, ask why I am not scared of sharks. :)
ReplyDeleteWhile I dont agree, I do understand. I am petrified of heights and have panic attacks when I am any higher than a platform shoe!