After some time at the beach and lunch, Mal and I got picked up at our hotel for a surf lesson on Waikiki Beach with the Hans Hendemann Surf School.
I was both excited and nervous to try surfing. Excited because it looked like a lot of fun and it was one of my goals for 2013. I was nervous because I’m not the best swimmer, and I’m really afraid of sharks. Well, my worries were immediately put to rest, however, when our instructor told us there were no sharks in the waters of Waikiki Beach (no reports of attacks or anything like that) and we’d learn to surf in shallow water, which would likely not even be above my head. Phew.
The first 20 minutes of our lesson was on land. We watched a brief video (safety first!) and then practiced how to stand up on a surfboard.
Tada!
Mal’s turn!
He was a natural.
After we had some practice on dry land, it was time to head outside to try the real thing. Our instructor, James, a surfer for 38 years, took us and another student, a nice guy named Nicholas from Denmark, to the nearby beach for a 1.5-hour lesson on the ocean. I didn’t take my camera with me because 1) it wasn’t waterproof and 2) surfing is no place for a camera. For real.
Surfing is hard. There’s salt water splashing non-stop in your face, boogers everywhere, and you need to use your entire body in order to do it, so it’s physically taxing. It was also really windy yesterday, which made it even more difficult.
Surprising, standing up on the board and actually surfing wasn’t too tough for me, but the paddling, however, was exhausting””and the wind didn’t help! I spent a lot of time paddling out into the ocean, but not moving very far. I consider myself a fairly in shape person, but my arms were burning at times because I was moving them so quickly through the water, trying to pick up speed to catch a wave and not really going anywhere. (I just felt so cool typing “catch a wave.” Haha!) Thankfully, I had James to give my surfboard a little push so I would have enough speed to ride the wave. He’d yell “stand up, stand up” as soon as he saw the board catching the wave. Mal, Nicholas, and I took turns riding waves with James’ instruction, so I probably rode 7 or 8 waves during class. It was SO cool!
After our surf lesson, Mal and I returned to our hotel and prettied ourselves for dinner at Morimoto, which came highly recommended by a number of you guys. Thanks so much for the suggestions! It did not disappoint!
Mal and I made a reservation for dinner, but there was still a little bit of a wait for our table, so we grabbed some drinks and sat outside in the lounge area.
I ordered a Piña Haupia, which was freshly muddled pineapple, pineapple vodka, coconut, and fresh lime sour. It tasted like a piña colada on the rocks, and it was so good!
About 20 minutes later, we were seated at our table, which was located right near the big, bright, open kitchen. I love watching sushi chefs at work.
My handsome date:
Who apparently bought tickets to the gun show.
I can dress him up, but I can’t take him out! Haha!
Morimoto had a fabulous menu with all sorts of interesting and tasty-sounding selections, but Mal and I were all about the sushi last night. We ordered a bunch of maki rolls and some sashimi to share.
All of it tasted amazing””melt in your mouth sushi for sure!
We also ordered dessert””a chocolate caramel torte with vanilla bean ice cream””which was heavenly. Our spoons fought for the last bite!
Day 1 on Oahu was truly fabulous. I can’t wait to see what the rest of our trip brings!
Questions of the Day
Have you ever tried surfing? If not, would you want to?
Do you like sushi? What’s your favorite kind?
71 Comments
I cracked up seeing that random guy in the background of your dinner photo, looking right at the camera!!! Haha
I’d be way too scared to try surfing! Drowning is my biggest fear, so yeah, probably never going to surf lol.
I love sushi! It’s so good. Salmon maki is my favorite.
I’m so jealous! I miss surfing so bad 🙁 My husband taught me (before we had even started dating) and there was one moment I’ll never forget. I had to jump off my long board (I couldn’t steer well) because I almost hit another guy. I went under and just as I popped up, my husband’s short board hit me smack in the right cheek. He grabbed my face and stared at me wide eyed, “Are you ok?!?!” That is when I knew I loved him 🙂 Cheesy, but it was a great/painful memory!
Love sushi…Salmon Nigiri is my fave, followed by spicy salmon 🙂
I’m loving your recaps. Bring some of that sunshine home with you.
Liked the Oakley Facebook page!
@Eating 4 Balance: ugh. And now this comment went on the wrong post. Seriously. What is up with me and comment boxes? Do not mesh well AT ALL.
But anyways, I always thought surfing looked hard, but you look like you had a lot of fun!
Okay may I just say that Crossfit looks great on ya’ll. Your bodies are both rocking! Great job keeping up the good work. It definitely shows!
Have fun in Hawaii! Totally jealous, really want to go there some day!
Yay!! You went surfing! It sounds so cool, catching waves! What an awesome first day of vacation!
I used to surf in high school and still have my board but my husband hates the beach so we don’t go anymore. I love the feeling when you realize you’ve caught the wave and its time to stand up! Like you are flying!
~Ang
Your dress & necklace are so cute! Where did you get them?!
Love your outfit! And I seriously think that you and Mal are the cutest couple. Just saying!
Surfing is on the bottom of my list. I’m so freaking scared just thinking about it. I could never!
I love sushi, but I can never get ANYONE to go eat sushi with me. Apparently not everyone likes it. :/
I agree, love the dress, where did you get it??
Thanks! It’s from Target! 🙂
I would absolutely try surfing if given the opportunity! I’ve tried skim boarding and that shit is HARD! I love sushi and would try any kind! It’s especially good when made to order. Looks like you are having a fantastic time in Hawaii and Mal looks like he’s getting a lot of sun, ha.
Morimoto looks fabulous! Love surfing, tried it in Maui two years ago and then came home and took lessons on Nantucket…great workout!
I second a previous comment. Where did you get that awesome necklace?