Surfs Up!

So, this last week was eventful. I have surfed, sailed, kayaked and swam New Zealand. This past week we were able to kayak on the Oreti river. The water was awesome. I thought I was going to be hypothermic, but it was warm enough that I didn't even need my wet suit. We did white water kayaking as well as sea kayaking on the same river, just different spots. I really like to sea kayak. It was gorgeous-you are paddling along at your own precious pace then all the sudden you come around a bend in the river and the wind picks up, the waves start to get choppy, but you keep paddling. Your paddling so hard and your oar is started to act as a sail that makes it harder to paddle. But, you keep going because you know if you stop you won't get to the calm again. Then, on the way back you get to ride the tide in, and it makes it so much easier. Sailing was awesome too. We went to Bluff to do our sailing. We were as far south as it goes in NZ. I had a brief 'What About Bob' moment. Yes, I even tied myself to the mast and took a picture. It was fantastic being able to steer the yacht. I realized how crucial a good crew is. Friends and family, you are my crew-I don't want any mutiny. A crew is crucial, but not so much a first mate . We also went to this absolutely beautiful area called the Catlins. They were fantastic. We saw a petrified forest. The tide was low so we went and played around on the rocks. It was fantastic-until 3 of the group got washed out to sea. No worries, we were able to recover them and only 1 of them needed CPR. After that we went to Curio Bay where we played in the water for hours. Sea Lions and dolphins were swimming everywhere near us. I saw the dolphins and decided that I was going to swim with them no matter what. I jumped in the water and swam out as far as I could as fast as I could without thinking. Well, I realized that I was out farther than I really wanted to be, and I wasn't even close to the dolphins. When I tried to come back I realized that it was even harder to get back than to get out. Well, it took me a long while to get back and when I did I was on all these rocks that I couldn't really stand on because they were sharp and slick. Well, I eventually got back (otherwise I wouldn't be here to tell the tale) but I will think before I go back out again. Then today I surfed!!! I went surfing in New Zealand. I loved it. I was up like a professional surfer in no time. Actually, my first run I was only up on my knees, but I did it. I rode the wave in the entire time. Then I kept trying to get up on my feet. I was able to stand, but the riding part fell short everytime. I could have been eaten by a great white (yes, they are prevalent here) today and my life would have been whole. I kept thinking that it was fantastically cool being here and surfing there. I still recommend it to all.