My first surfing competition
To slash one out from my bucket list, I joined a surfing competition last weekend. I also encouraged my friends to join with me because it was just a friendly competition anyway. Before, I was always afraid to join these kind of stuff because I know I am just a beginner in surfing. I surf often but I know I need to learn more on the sport.
Originally the competition was scheduled October 17-18, but because of typhoon Lando, it was moved to November 7-8. 7am we arrived at the area , the briefing started and my heart was like pumping too hard because of me being so nervous. I was pressured because I was so intimidated with other competitors. I was thinking, what am I doing? Can I just back out?But at the same time I was thinking, I will be playing with my friends so this comforts me a little. Anyway, we joined just for fun and experience. I am with my friend Pat, Jen and Ate Macy. We all joined the tandem division.
Originally the competition was scheduled October 17-18, but because of typhoon Lando, it was moved to November 7-8. 7am we arrived at the area , the briefing started and my heart was like pumping too hard because of me being so nervous. I was pressured because I was so intimidated with other competitors. I was thinking, what am I doing? Can I just back out?But at the same time I was thinking, I will be playing with my friends so this comforts me a little. Anyway, we joined just for fun and experience. I am with my friend Pat, Jen and Ate Macy. We all joined the tandem division.
When the competition started, I was so tensed. This is because other competitors were so good. Although when my heat started, all my negative feelings were gone. I just enjoyed the experience of it. First round luckily I was able to have good rides and qualified for round 2. From that time I knew that definitely this will not be the last time that I will be joining competitions like these. It was so thrilling, the competitors are friendly, we were even chit chatting in the line up.
Luckily, I was able to reach qualifying round (round 2). I didn't expect this. I was expecting to get eliminated at round one. During my heat for this round, I was not looking at my heat mates, I was not looking if they got their rides or not. I just want to focus on myself and how I can stand up and maintain my rides. Byron was telling me not to hesitate to stand up. "Kung mahuhulog ka, mahuhulog ka talaga kaya tayo ka lang agad." (If you're gonna fall, you will. So just don't hesitate stand up and ride the wave"). I remember what my dad always tells me, to never compete with others just with myself.
After the heat, I was ready to pack my beach blanket and go for lunch because I was not expecting to qualify for quarter finals, but luckily I did! Whaaaaattt? Byron even went out of the area to have lunch because he didn't know or even expected that we were qualified for quarter finals.
Luckily, I was able to reach qualifying round (round 2). I didn't expect this. I was expecting to get eliminated at round one. During my heat for this round, I was not looking at my heat mates, I was not looking if they got their rides or not. I just want to focus on myself and how I can stand up and maintain my rides. Byron was telling me not to hesitate to stand up. "Kung mahuhulog ka, mahuhulog ka talaga kaya tayo ka lang agad." (If you're gonna fall, you will. So just don't hesitate stand up and ride the wave"). I remember what my dad always tells me, to never compete with others just with myself.
After the heat, I was ready to pack my beach blanket and go for lunch because I was not expecting to qualify for quarter finals, but luckily I did! Whaaaaattt? Byron even went out of the area to have lunch because he didn't know or even expected that we were qualified for quarter finals.
Is this a joke? I was laughing inside of me. During my heat on quarter finals, my coach was more pressured than me. He was so tensed and I have to comfort him a little. He was telling other coaches in the line up "ang hirap pala nito, nakakapressure" (i didn't expect that it is this difficult") I was telling him, "wag ka nga mapressure di naman natin kailangan manalo, bigyan mo lang ako magandang alon" ("it's okay, don't get pressured we don't have to win. Just give me good waves to ride.")
After the quarter finals, I got eliminated. And I was happy and fulfilled. I was telling myself, so this is how it feels like joining competitions. Mixed feelings of pressure, excitement, stoke and fulfillment. I'm glad I conquered my fear and it changed my perception of competing. It was a friendly game and I can say that this experience really brought me closer to other people that I don't know. I learned to be friends with others and this experience will be an inspiration for me to get better and better at surfing.
I want to push myself even better next time. Fight!
After the quarter finals, I got eliminated. And I was happy and fulfilled. I was telling myself, so this is how it feels like joining competitions. Mixed feelings of pressure, excitement, stoke and fulfillment. I'm glad I conquered my fear and it changed my perception of competing. It was a friendly game and I can say that this experience really brought me closer to other people that I don't know. I learned to be friends with others and this experience will be an inspiration for me to get better and better at surfing.
I want to push myself even better next time. Fight!
|