[caption id="attachment_551" align="alignright" width="199" caption="My surfboard"]<a href="http://mikerappaport.net/onevoice/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Surfs-Up-002-2.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-551" title="Surf's Up 002 (2)" src="http://mikerappaport.net/onevoice/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Surfs-Up-002-2-199x300.jpg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a>[/caption]

Two words I never expected to write.

<em>My surfboard</em>.

My surfboard arrived today, courtesy of Federal Express, and if there was one surprise to me, it was how amazingly<em> light</em> it is. I had a few accessories I had to go out and buy -- some Mrs. Palmer's board wax, a rash guard (which is sort of like the top half of a really light wet suit) and, get this, a leash.

The leash is sort of like a bungee cord. One end hooks into a spot near the back end of the board, and the other gets velcroed around one of my ankles. The idea is that when I fall off the board, it won't get too far away from me. I suppose that could be a mixed blessing; it could snap back and hit me in the head. I'll bet even as light as it is, that wouldn't feel real good.

I've been reading James Maclaren's book "Learn to Surf," although I haven't gotten around to watching my Corky Carroll video yet. I've got the better part of a week before I go down to San Diego for my first day of lessons, and the biggest temptation will be to take my board down to Surf City and try it out.

I think I'll wait.

Probably.