Just a boy, a SUP and a Pup.
I have always been a waterbaby. From my first memories I never feared the water. I have instead, always loved it. I have not always respected her. And respect is what she needs. My whole life people have referred to me as a fish, a duck, even a dolphin. But it wasn’t till later in life that my Mother truly explained that somewhere in my Irish roots there must have been a Selkie Folk. The legend goes that when God cast some Angels from the Heavens; those that landed on the land became Fairies and those that hit the water became Selkies. For the majority of their life Selkies are seals. You know the pretty ones like harbor seals, or fluffy Pup Seals.
There are many versions of the Selkie tail. Some believe they can shapeshift and take on the form of humans. The males apparently take this opportunity to turn on the charm, and mate with as many Human females as they can during their treks on dry land. The female Selkie usually ends up with one partner. And the story goes that if their mate steals and hides their Selkie skin, or coat. Then they can’t return to the water in there Selkie Seal form with out it.
So apparently someone in my family many generations ago had sex with a seal. And I guess it makes sense I married a girl names Lauralee. Her mother didn’t want to use the proper Lorelei. A Lorelei is a mermaid name which belonged to the mermaid who lured unwary fisherman to their death by singing the most beautiful song they had ever heard.
We make a great pair.
Today I tried my Naish 11’6” Nailu for the first time. I purposely picked the narrowest SUP [Stand Up Paddleboard] I could find. I knew it would be harder at first, but I also knew if need be, I could paddle it from a prone position. So I went to TOBAY today, because I wanted to be alone. I didn’t want my first awkward day to have an audience.
When I checked the Gilgo Cam it looked pretty flat with knee high surf and dead offshore wind. Perfect. However, once I got out past the shore break the wind switched West at about 20 mph, and it got really choppy. As a result, standing was not an option. I knee paddled, and I paddled with my hands from a prone position.
It wasn’t the worst day I’ve ever had on the water. And I had company; a Guardian Angel watching out for me. A beautiful harbor Seal. My Selkie kin.
2 comments:
Nice, keep us posted on the new SUP. Remember, no mating with seals, Frank, no matter what fishy vittles they try to tempt you with!
Excellent, tell us more about your board! I was also out there in the waves further east at L Rd with the Wolf, Christian & George Pav. We were also visited by a seal - they are such curious creatures!
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