That morning, the ocean looked kind calm, as if offering false hope. I stepped in with my board and a confidence that clearly wasn’t ready. The wave came. I paddled, stood up… then fell in the least impressive way possible. Saltwater rushed into my nose, the leash tugged my leg, and laughter burst out from the shore, or maybe from myself. The next attempts weren’t much different. A brief stand, a wobble, then splash. Strangely, falling became addictive. Surface, cough, laugh, paddle again. Then, for a few seconds, I finally glided. Not perfect knees shaking, arms stiff but enough to smile before falling once more. No heroic photos that day. Just a sore body, salty skin, and a simple lesson: falling is normal, laughing matters, and trying again is always worth it. 🌊