Grace And Her Body Board.

Grace likes the surf too, but after doing an introductory course a few years back, she decided that, unlike Jack, she didn't really like the longboard and so she sticks with body-boarding. She feels the cold more than him too so, instead of the 7-8 hours a day in the ocean he puts in, she will usually only manage 3-4 hours and then come shivering back to me for a towel and a sand-filled sandwhich. (It's a British Beach Tradition.)

For the first 14 years of her life, I kept pushing and pushing her into activities she was reluctant to try, wondering why she didn't do things like other kids, but now we know she has ASD, I just keep feeling so proud of her every accomplishment. She has so much guts and determination.

So, indulge me, dear reader. Here is Grace's Surf Story.

She's thinking about it. Notice we safe-surf! We use beaches with Life-Guards. That's their vehicle. They also have a power boat ready to rescue anyone in trouble. We've not have to use it! Yet! We also use wetsuits. Surfers in Britain really have to. Even in September, the North Atlantic isn't really warm enough for surfing otherwise.
Okay, She's GOING IN!

Yay! She's having fun!
Ignore that terrified look on her face, she really *is* having fun!
The tide was coming in, so at this point I beat a hasty retreat before I lost my lovely, complicated new camera to Davy Jones' Locker!
Rinse and Repeat.
Ad infinitum or until the lure of sandy sandwhiches draws you to the shore.
Look at that, barely a hair out of place! What a girl!