I remember the first time I rode my very first wave on a surfboard. I was 7 years old, on a large foamy at my cottage in Ontario, Canada. I was alone in the water, paddling my little heart out, having no clue what to do but to pop up onto my feet, bend my legs and throw my arms into ‘warrior two’ position.
With my gaze at the beach, and the largest smile on my face, it was hard not to miss the screaming and cheering from my biggest fan, my mom. From that day on, I am constantly remembering that moment, years later, and how she has always found a way to support my passion for surfing. My love for the sport is more then grabbing a board and paddling out into the waves, it has sentimental values. This is something I got to share with her as a child, and now as an adult, but I have yet to catch a party wave with my mom!
How can I make this happen? Are there other young ladies who want to experience the same feeling of empowering the one woman who raised me to chase my passions, try new things, experience all Mother Nature has to offer?
Travelling with your mom as an adult is totally different from travelling with your significant other and much more closely related to travelling with your bestie. But as similar as it is to that, there’s just nothing quite like going on vacation with Mom.
After much thought, and observing many mother-daughter surfing duos, here are my top reasons that you should go on a surf trip with your mom.
1. You Might Learn Something New About Her
Immersing yourself in an environment such as learning to surf with your mom opens a lot of doors that you’ve probably never seen from your mom. What was your mom like before you were born? How does she handle learning something new? Do you react the same way as she does in the water – emotionally, physically and mentally? When going on a surf trip, the beautiful location, the kind local community and the humble beauty of the ocean opens up the vulnerabilities, the challenges and the memories that may have been masked or put on the back-burner. This is a great opportunity to learn something new about your mom! The easy intimacy of travel can be a great way to learn some new things about the woman who raised you.
2. You Might Teach Each Other Some New Tricks
One woman’s ability to ride a wave may be another woman’s biggest struggle. Usually, the daughter has the ability to catch on to surfing faster then their mothers. This is a great opportunity for the daughter to give tips and tricks to their moms. Guiding them and supporting them in ways that they are used to being guided back home. Do you remember when your mom taught you how to tie your shoes? You succeeded because of the bunny ears trick, didn’t you!
3. Time to Catch Up in a Beautiful, Peaceful and Empowering Environment
Whether you are on the water, in a pool, or in your room ready to go to bed, there is more than enough time to catch up. With your busy day-to-day lives back home, it is sometimes hard to find the time to sit down in a non-rushed environment and just talk. When learning to surf with your mom, you will have all the opportunity to do so!
4. You get to cheer each other on! No more cheering from the beach or the sidelines, you are in this experience together!
You’re used to your mom always cheering you on, but what a beautiful thing to for the roles to be switched! Not only is your mom your biggest fan, but you get to also be hers! The mutual appreciation goes a long way. These are the memories you will be making together full of laughter, smiles and maybe some matching bruises!
5. You’ll Learn a New Sport Together
One of the most fun things to do with your mom is learn something new. You are in a position where you are both new to something, and need to work together as a team, mentally, to succeed in achieving your personal surfing goals in a short amount of time! This is a hard thing to do, but with the support and encouragement of your mom, and vice versa, you create this beautiful experience of learning something together, all the while creating memories that no one else in your family can comprehend. This is a special bond you will have with your mom, and her with you. How amazing!
6. You Won’t Always Have This Chance
If there is one thing I have learnt in my lifetime, it is that time is of the essence. You need to take any and every chance you get to spend quality time with your mom, to travel to a beautiful country and to experience all mother-nature has to offer. By learning to surf together, no matter your age, or athletic ability, this is a great opportunity you to take this chance to gain so much more then just learning o surf with your mom. Because in the end, all you have is time, and when you use it well, you receive the full benefits this experience has to offer.
My advice, go for it! Call your mom, pick a date and book your flight! Learning to surf together will be one of the best experiences of your life. Take the next steps to create these beautiful memories with your mom, and with that you may even inspire others to do the same.
One Love,
Anne-Marie
Operations Manager, Chica Brava