Living my dreams in the DR — LEARN WITH LELS

I lived out one of my dreams this week: I learned to surf!!!

As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve been wanting to surf since I saw Blue Crush 10 years ago. To prepare, I started longboarding since it’s sort of a waveless alternative, and I took adult swimming lessons twice.

So, when my friend Kaitlyn and I decided to go to the Dominican Republic—the Kates take the DR 🎉—I knew this would be my chance!

With this idea in my head and the things I’ve learned to get ready, you can imagine that I was quite disappointed when I found out that there are no surfing excursions through our resort. Our Sunwing rep said there’s no surfing in the Dominican Republic period, and some guy in a white t and tight white jeans—who claims to be an experienced surfer despite being from Toronto—said only elite surfers like himself would be able to handle the waves here.

I decided that both of those guys could bite me.

While I was at home, I found the Macao Surf Camp (MSC) online. I was hoping to book something through the hotel—just ‘cause people say that’s the safest way to go, and I really like safety—but since that wasn’t an option, I booked with MSC.

The next morning, Kaitlyn and I were at the beautiful Macao Beach, ready for me to become the next Kelia Moniz—she’s a Hawaiian surfer and my number one girl crush.

The sand was white, it was sunny and hot, and there were gnarly surfer guys with Spanish accents walking around everywhere. It was bliss.

I was quite nervous, because Kaitlyn and I both acquired injuries from the waves knocking us to the ground the day before. Plus, as I realized in my last post, I’m naturally bad at most things.

But believe it or not, surfing was different!

The instructors told me I was the best beginner they’ve seen—every man we’ve met has been extremely forward, so they could’ve just been flirting, but I actually did catch on quickly. (They also told me that I look like a Hawaiian gymnast. They were really boosting my ego.)

I was able to get up every time but the first, but that wasn’t really my fault. Before I got into the water, I got a quick lesson on the beach. The land instructor told me that before the water instructor pushes me to go, he’ll ask if I’m ready. He said that it’s very important that I answer, because if I say no, they won’t let me go.

My water instructor ignored that “very important” rule.

He said, “Ready?” I said, “No!” Then off I went.

But the next time I was able to get up, and I felt like I was standing on top of the world while I was standing on that wave—cheesy, but I don’t care, because it’s true!

One of the instructors said that I must skateboard back at home. I said, “Papi, I longboard dance!” I didn’t actually say that, but I thought it.

I paid a lot of money for all these pictures, so I better include a lot of them, right?

Surfing is my new favourite thing ever, and I’m thinking that I need to plan another trip devoted solely to surfing.

Kaitlyn and I are living in 30 degree paradise, where the food and drinks never end, and every man you walk by tells you you’re beautiful. Not looking forward to being cold, heavy, and surrounded by guys who ghost us next week.

In the meantime, gotta go to a foam party. ✌🏼

What I’ve learned/some realizations:

You can’t trust a man who’s wearing all white. (No offence if that’s what you’re about. You do you. But this is how I feel.)
Unlike what I thought in my last post, I’m not bad at everything I try.
SURFING!!! I LEARNED TO SURF!!! 😭😭😭🤙🏼🤙🏼🤙🏼