In photos: Learning to wakeboard

I have already referred to the fact that NewMan and I have done more exercise in our first week in Malaysia than we did in perhaps the last 6 months in London. But this was always part of our plan. We were very keen to explore a different way of life and a lifestyle that meant more outdoor living, more activity, more adventure. We certainly found more activity and a little adventure when we were invited to go wake boarding with our good friends CeCe and Tony, who have been going regularly since April. NewMan had already been a few times before, so I was the only beginner in a group which always causes me to feel a small weight of intimidation on my shoulders.

However, I was determined to enjoy the experience, which wouldn't be difficult seeing as it was blissfully warm and sunny day and we were all aboard a speed boat which was totally pimping (for want of a better word). Yet as we sped off into a surprisingly beautiful and calm man made lake in Putrajaya, I just couldn't help but taunt myself that it could be really embarrassing and boring for everyone else, if I didn't manage to at least pull myself up out of the water. Oh and our instructor was the official coach of the Malaysian national wake boarding team, no less, so no pressure there either. The above photo captures how I was feeling a little too accurately.

(You see how I have a tendency to over think and over analyse things?)

To cut a long, wet and occasionally bumpy story short, there is a happy ending. I managed to get up, on my very first try and then on my second go I somehow stayed up moved around with some credibility. Apparently it's because I'm a snowboarder and I have to say NewMan's snowboarding expertise (he's VERY good) shone through on his go as he moved up and around the water like a pro, well, in my beginners' eyes anyway.

The fear, the speed, the falling, the physical exertion; it was just like learning to snowboard again and it was mentally incredibly stimulating as well as physically good to poke and pull at some dormant muscles. Needless to say I am hooked and I have squeezed in an additional session and NewMan has been a total of three times since being here. I feel a gentle sense of achievement in not only being now able to "wake board", but in finding a summer sport that NewMan and I can share and I now look forward to seeing if we can find somewhere to wake board in Thailand.

Here are some photos of us all showing off:And don't think for a second that I didn't fall in, because...

Frances M. Thompson

Londoner turned wanderer, Frankie is an author, freelance writer and blogger. Currently based in Amsterdam, Frankie was nomadic for two years before starting a family with her Australian partner. Frankie is the author of three short story collections, and is a freelance writer for travel and creative brands. In 2017, she launched WriteNOW Cards, affirmation cards for writers that help build a productive and positive writing practice. When not writing contemporary fiction, Frankie shops for vintage clothes, dances to 70s disco music and chases her two young sons around Amsterdam.
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