#26 Moonlight Session

A couple full moons back I woke up a couple hours before dawn while my family lay comfortably in their dreams. I woke to live a dream. Making my way quietly down the stairwell to the lonely street I threw all of my gear in the car and navigated the concrete jungle to the untamed waters of Ocean Beach.

There, in the embrace of darkness I slithered into the black rubber suit making myself one with the night. With only my face and hands exposed I grabbed my surfboard and trekked across the low-tide big beach to the sparkling black sea. Tiny crystals of moonlight danced on every ripple.

The impaired vision of the darkness heightened all my senses. I was most amazed by my sense of touch. Walking into the water I was aware of the embrace of the ocean like never before. Every push, pull and swirl seem to hold me and welcome me. I felt safe. I felt truly connected to the ocean.

The moon was getting low providing a moonbeam trail through the surf. Following it over the black rolling water into into the vastness felt like a sacred act. I had to trust myself and the ocean in a different way. I actually surfed one other moonlight session 12 years earlier on Nias Island, Indonesia. I had just learned to surf and did not have the confidence to be able to relax in the dark right-handers peeling through. On this night I was able to just allow myself to be present for the experience and it was wonderful beyond my ability to express.

I've been struggling with this entry for just that reason. All l know is that my connection with the ocean changed that night. Paddling alone into those cold, dark waters was a spiritual awakening. I felt uplifted...high...for days after.

In retrospect, I realized that no fear ever arose during the experience, though I did get startled a couple times. Ocean Beaches true residents, the sea lions, had to come a lot closer to satisfy their curiosity. Instead of the usual ten to fifteen foot away I had two big guys pop up two feet away just to get a good look.

I highly encourage anyone who reads this to paddle out in the moonlight....at least once! Another hidden bonus is that I had the waves all to myself. As the sun made her appearance and guys began paddling out I headed back to the beach grinning from ear to ear!