Learning to Suck Again – The Art of Trying Something New

The Bowl: Hot, Humid, and Humbling

The bowl is upstairs. It’s wooden, slick, and surrounded by the heavy, humid Lombok air.

It’s hot and sticky—sweat drips from everywhere: my hair, my nose, my back, even my legs.

I put my foot on the skate, I’m about to go again. The bowl stretches out before me like an invitation—and a challenge.

It’s exhilarating.

It’s terrifying.

And I absolutely suck at it.

A Rare Beginner Moment

I’ve always been one of those people who picks up sports quickly. Growing up in Canada, I probably tried every sport available: soccer, basketball, track & field, snowboarding, swimming, horseback riding, gymnastics—you name it.

Years of developing muscle memory, coordination, and flexibility usually pay off. I catch on fast.

But the first time I stepped into the bowl, I realised just how much I had to learn.

I didn’t get it.

The movements felt awkward, my balance was off, and I couldn’t build any speed.

I found it scary. But here’s the surprising part: I felt everything but frustration.

It’s been a long time since I’ve felt like a beginner. And it feels good—a fun, exhilarating challenge.

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The Process: Learning Through Repetition

As Tony Robbins says, “Repetition is the mother of skills”

Learning to pump through the curves is an art. Every body part plays a role: your arms guide, your core stabilises, your legs pump to maintain speed, and even your hips have to join the flow.

My legs burned and I wiped out more times than I could count.

But every fail came with a lesson: adjust your weight here, lean a little more there. Slowly, I started to feel the rhythm of the bowl.

And THAT comes with an incredible feeling—like cracking a code or finding a key to unlock something new.

It wasn’t just about skating—it was about embracing the progress.

The Breakthrough: Freedom in the Flow

There’s this exhilarating feeling when you finally get good at something—the rush of serotonin when it all clicks.

One day, it happened. My board glided smoothly through the curves, my balance steady, my movements effortless.

I felt the pure joy of surf skating.

The bowl wasn’t just a challenge anymore—it was freedom.

I’ve now been to the bowl 7 times, and it’s quickly become a habit I don’t want to break. It’s not just about improving my skills—it’s also a ridiculously fun way to exercise, meet new people and it leaves me buzzing with energy every time.

What Surf Skating Taught Me About Growth

This experience wasn’t just about learning a new skill. It reminded me of a few simple truths:

• Embrace being a beginner. It’s humbling but also exciting to step into something new..
• Celebrate small wins. Every tiny bit of progress adds up to something bigger.
• Growth happens in discomfort. If you’re not failing, you’re not learning.
• A teacher speeds up progress. It’s amazing how a few tips can make all the difference.

An Invitation to Try Something New

Trying something new isn’t just about mastering a skill—it’s about rediscovering a part of yourself. Whether it’s skating, or something completely different, I can promise you this: the sweat, frustration, and falls are worth it.

So, what’s your next challenge?

What’s the last thing you tried for the first time? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear about it!