Home Again

One day, Brian announced that he was partaking in a stand-up paddleboard race in Lake Geneva the following week.

Me: Really? Honey you’ve never paddled a S’up before.
Him: I know, but I’m going out with Wendell and Westy the week before and they are going to coach me.

Me: …okay…should be interesting.

I maybe didn’t approach this as a supportive wife should. I sighed heavily and said, WHEN do we have to be there? HOW long will it take? We have to wake up Mary early and leave at 6am, any time we deviate from her routine stresses me out – plus packing her activity bag, swim diapers, change of clothes, snacks, etc. just sends my mind into going over lists at 2am.

The day came of the race and we snuggled Mary in her car seat with the hopes that she would fall back asleep on the 45 min drive up there – no luck. So now, with almost 3 hours cut off of her normal sleep, I was SURE it was going to a rough day with her.

We got there quickly, found a parking spot and I walked into a familiar scene. Pop-up tents, flags, music piped through speakers interrupted by the occasional announcement, the registration table, paddlers unloading gear. The only difference was the bright colors lining the beach weren’t outrigger canoes – they were paddle boards. I was so taken by this scene, got a little teary.

Familiar sights

  We were home again – in Wisconsin. Who knew?

We set up our little spot, got out Mary’s sand toys and the Jeffries were on. Mary even swam in the fresh water a bit. The one draw back to all of her swimming lessons is that she has become a pool-girl and thinks the lake is “icky” because of the seaweed.

It came time for Brian to race, he went into typical race-mode…not the nicest of his modes. But again, it reminded me of the old days back at the outrigger events. He went out in the recreational division (about 3.5 miles) with about 55 other paddleboards – Remember, this was his second time ever on a paddle board.

Going into race mode (not always his nicest mode)

While he was out, Mary and I played more with sand toys, took a walk to the bathroom. When I could see the paddleboards start coming back, I realized our time on the meter was about to run out. Mary and I ran to the car, came back and I see Brian’s red shorts just outside the buoys – Whoops! Grab the camera and run to the finish line!

Brian was the NINTH board across the line and first in his division. Put a paddle in his hand, stick him on some sort of water vessel and the man is a machine. He was also as happy as I remember him being back in California.

Cheering on Daddy

I even went out and tried a paddle board – it felt like the first time I tried an outrigger – It felt like I was home again.

I think we may be on to something here! All along we’ve been trying to find and encourage the outriggers and now we just happen on to a society of people who are paddle-board enthusiasts. Easy to do on any size of fresh water, which is abundant in our area plus there are lots of competitions in the areas – and the Jeffries like competitions! J

On the way home, I apologized to Brian for my attitude, pre-race. I need to give him credit for how well he knows me. I get so stuck in my ways and he knew if he could pry me away, I’d see the light – and I did.

We are now in the market for a paddleboard.