My Life Story

Growing up in a family of surfers off of the Pacific Coast, in Newport Beach, California, I had no choice but to love the ocean.  Prior to starting my sixth grade year at El Roble intermediate, my Dad planned a family surfing trip to Costa Rica in September.  During the month of September, Costa Rica is known as a popular surf spot, a surfer’s dream, so Dad surprised us with a trip and we packed up and set out on what turned out to be the adventure of a lifetime.

The first few days that we arrived in Costa Rica, the waves were enormous.  My Dad, concerned about the wave size and the powerful tides, made me wear a life jacket while in the water and asked that I body board instead of surf so that he could ensure that I remained safe.  I was disappointed, wanting to show my Dad some of the new surf moves I learned at  surf camp.

After a few days the winds appeared to be slowing down and the waves seemed to be settling into a nice routine of smaller sets of waves.  Eager to get on my surfboard and practice my new moves, I woke up before my family and snuck out of the condo without checking the Oakley Surf Report App and The Weather Channel App on my Dad's iPhone.  BIG MISTAKE!!!  As I approached the beach with the sun rising at my back I looked out over the ocean, and with the water conditions looking good I paddled out.

As I paddled out past the point of where the waves break, an eerie feeling came over me and I looked around to realize that I was the only surfer in the water with not one person visible on shore.  That was when a monster size wave snuck up behind me.  My only choice was to attempt to catch the wave or be crushed by the white water.  Frozen by fear, I hesitated  a second too long and the
wave crashed right down on top of me, literally flattening me to my surfboard.  I don’t remember much of what happened after that and while I lay like a pancake, embedded into my surfboard, I could tell that the tides were quickly taking me out into the Caribbean Sea.

With what little strength I had left and my body feeling a bit out of sorts I held onto the board for next two sunrises as I rapidly drifted into the Gulf of Mexico, moved by winds of the fast approaching Tropical Storm Gabrielle.  I finally spotted land and using my flattened arms, I used them like a paddle and worked my way to shore.  Flat and drenched in salt water, I was discovered lying on the white sand of Gulf Shores by the Hopper family.  Luckily, the Hoppers had been vacationing at Orange Beach during the Labor Day weekend and stumbled upon me during their annual sea shell scavenger hunt. 

Finally reaching the shore after my journey at sea.

And so my southern adventure began as the Hopper’s decided to bring me back to their home in Birmingham, Alabama until they could contact my family and safely return me to California.  Follow along in my adventures in the South through my weekly posts.


            - Flat Annie


                                                 

 



Oakley Surf Report App
The Oakley Surf Report provides the current and
2-day weather and surf report for all of your
favorite beaches and surf locations worldwide. 

Weather Channel App
The Weather Channel App allows for quick and
easy access to your local and worldwide weather. 
Easy to customize your search and a valuable
notification source of severe weather conditions.