I’m beginning to feel a lot like how I imagine Kelly Slater feels on a daily basis. As I carry my longboard overhead and walk towards the surf I can feel the eyes of every passerby on me. It’s not uncommon now a days to notice a double take and then some whispering as one lady turns to the other and says, “Is she really? Nah, she can’t be pregnant can she?”

Yes, I am and yes I am headed out for a surf.

Once out in the lineup the scene pretty much plays out the same. I feel the eyes following me as I paddle past on my knees, belly bulging and making it harder and harder to dig down and get that momentum to propel me forward. People tend to take a wide berth around me, a courtesy I am so eternally grateful for as the idea of surfing through a crowd still has me on edge.

Once or twice a session I’ll get approached (although I imagine Kelly gets this a tad more often). You can see it in their eyes from a distance, quietly watching me for a while, slowly paddling closer and closer until we are some awkward distance apart, then finally, “sorry if this is forward but did you eat too many cookies or is that a baby in there?”.

Funny, I don’t really mind these looks or questions. Normally, I would be self conscious of so many people taking note of my body but this is different. This is my little boy and i’m proud of how he is growing and changing my shape. Even more, I feel encouraged when people stare in astonishment as I take off on a set wave and then paddle back out for more. I feel inspired that they see me as doing something unusual, something different. Best of all, the women that come up to me and share their stories of surfing while pregnant give me that extra push to stay out in the water and do what I love. It’s good for me, for my body, my mind, my soul and my baby.

I’m going to be honest here– surfing while pregnant is no easy task! Between the leg cramps, the strained hips, the aching low back, shifting center of gravity and decreased balance…surfing with a bun in the oven is hard work. Then suddenly that perfect wave comes rolling in, the one you’ve been waiting for. Without hesitation you turn and paddle.

One, two, three and you’re off, up and riding, gliding down the face of a glassy three footer with no one in your way and nothing to stop this ride. With a gentle shift of your weight, you turn and begin to cruise back the other way, milking this wave for all its got until finally it reforms and sends you zooming off with another jolt of speed and a fun little section to maneuver. You’re so far inside, the reef begins to creep up under your board and the bright pink and orange floats of bobbing tourists turn your ride into an obstacle course. Finally, the wave dies out and you gently sit back down on your board, turn and begin the long paddle back out. The sunset, Friday night sail boat races and friends wait for you back out in the line up and you realize that all the aches and hurtles are worth it for a single ride like that.

This is what keeps us surfing, this is what keeps us going back for more, pregnant, sick, sad…a ride like this takes your mind off of everything else and brings you back to that sweet place of childhood joy.

Back in the water and this time on my brand new longboard!!!

Since I’ve been out knee paddling the past few weeks it has become pretty apparent that a soft top board is the way to go. When surfing on a typical epoxy or fiberglass board, my feet and knees were getting bruised and my session cut short due to the discomfort. No longer an issue, thanks to hubby and the super deals over at Costco. Although not the prettiest board in the line up, my 8 foot foam top longboard is just the thing this mama needs to stay out in the water and continue catching waves.

The debut of this board was made even more special when hubby and I decided to paddle out together and test her out. It was pretty funny trying to balance both of our weight on something so small (typically you would tandem surf on a board 10′ or longer). We finally figured out that the whole belly, plus mini longboard just wasn’t going to work and I enjoyed a nice little tow out to the lineup holding on to hubby’s feet as he paddled us out. Once in the lineup he took a few waves to test her out and then it was my turn!

It was a little hard to balance at first, but with the help of hubs, I was soon up and riding. This board is perfect for me and I am so excited to get back out there and catch some waves!

*I’m working on convincing hubs that ‘mamasurfs’ needs a waterproof digital camera to capture some of this action. Cross your fingers!*