Your turn

Before Jane can make it all the way back Lily instructs you that another wave is coming. You paddle as hard as you can and feel the strength of the wave start to propel you forward. You quickly, too quickly, try to get up on your knees and immediately the board jerks at your sudden motion. You're ejected into the wave. At least you don't have far to paddle to get back to the girls.

As you reach them Jane is giggling at something Lily had said. Jane normally wasn't really much of a "giggler" but you were glad she was enjoying herself.

"Good try, but you need to keep your bodyweight on the middle of the board where I showed you, otherwise it will do... well that"

You thank her for the feedback and resolve to do better next time.

The session continues for another hour, Jane able to stand up on nearly every wave and you struggling just to get to your knees. You can see why the locals advise eating a lot before coming out because you already feel pretty physically drained.

With thirty minutes left you do finally manage to stand up and ride a wave a good distance. You were glad to prove not totally incapable. Your wife always was the more competent of the two of you but you did try to at least keep up with her.

"You did it! That was great!"

Expressed your wife with not a hint of condescension.

After your time was up Lily was already meeting her next clients and bid you aloha.