That morning the waves weren’t too big, but they were enough to make my heart race. I had already fallen who knows how many times. Salt water had gone into my nose, my mouth— it even felt like it reached my heart.

“Relax, just take it easy!” the instructor shouted from afar.
The wind touched my face. The wave pushed me gently. And there I was on the board, smiling shyly. Not a wide, stylish smile—just a small, embarrassed smile mixed with disbelief.

“Eh… I’m standing… I’m standing!” I whispered, afraid the wave might hear me and knock me down again.

From the beach I heard someone shout, “Yesss! Good job!”

Because I was too happy, I turned toward the instructor to show off my smile. And of course… that was exactly when I lost my balance.