Green Lemonade

“Dopamine is released whenever we try something new, so just changing up your routine can give a boost. Whether it’s taking an alternate route for your run, switching the time of day to do yoga, or listening to different mussy, keep it fresh.” – San Diego Sports psychiatrist Michael Lardon, MD, author of Finding Your Zone

Surf Lessons in Montauk + Aloha Surf School

As many of you know, I am a long-time New York City resident currently residing downtown with my husband. After graduating from the University of Virginia over a decade ago, I moved directly to New York City. I love this city. I am also an enthusiastic ocean, sun and sand lover. I was raised on the coast of Connecticut, and so the beach has always been a special place for me. I have been summering in the Hamptons for over a decade. This summer I am spending an extended season at “The End” of Long Island – in Montauk, New York. I’m sure many of you are familiar with Montauk. For those of you who aren’t, just think of a place where all activity revolves around a casual vibe, surfing, bike riding, surfing, beach bonfires, surfing, beautiful sunsets, surfing and fun. Notice a theme here?

One of my goals this summer, then, has GOT to involve learning how to surf. I have befriended an instructor named John Kelly from Aloha Surf School who spends the majority of the year on the North Shore of Oahu with an extended summer season in Montauk. John has promised to get me off of the ENORMOUS foam “cadillac board” I am riding by the end of July (I of course am giving myself until mid August).

Anyhoo, for those of you looking to get outside this summer and challenge yourself to try something new, please consider hoping in the salt water. Honestly, no mater what kind of day you are having, a swim in the ocean seems to settle everything down and put life back in perspective. The salt water is truly amazing.

As a long-time (dare I say it) boogie boarder since spending my early childhood summers split between Connecticut and California, I somehow missed the get-on-the-surfboard bandwagon. Oh well. It’s never to late to learn something new. And this year. “Montauk-ians” (that’s definitely not a word, but it just feels right here) don’t much love boogie boarding for anyone over (or so it seems) five years of age. I mean EVERYONE surfs! It’s amazing. I saw one woman with a three-month old this weekend rock out on her long board in a surf lesson (while her husband watched the older son and the baby). Your parents, your grandparents, your brother, your sister, your cousin….yup everyone is out in the water praying for a great wave day. I won’t even talk about the gratuitous surf-ness being rocked by the younger boys and girls – you can just assume they are awesome…’cause they are. They take out their super short boards, even on days when there are the smallest of waves (supposedly you’re supposed to have a long board on these days!). Everyone prays for “double-overHEAD” days…right now I’m loving the “double-overTOE” days.

Join me this summer. Take a surf lesson. Invite your friends for the fun and to help share the cost. You’ll have a blast. And if you’re out in Montauk at Ditch Plains give me a shout out and ring up John Kelly at Aloha Surf School (631-377-6808) – for a super awesome day. Trust me, he has all students standing and riding a wave by the second set of waves he takes you out in. I’ve both experienced and seen it achieved by others.

….And don’t forget to let me know how it goes.

Aloha.