I tried surfing. Got a black eye.

This one’s for the sea, the surfboards, and the seafood (because let’s be real).

Last year, Wille and I spent a month living right next to the beach in Peniche, Portugal. He surfed almost every day and fell completely in love with it. I, on the other hand, fell in love with… grilled octopus, pastel de natas, and sipping port wine like a coastal grandma.

I did try surfing. A few times, even. It was fun!

Until the day I wasn’t even on the board… and still managed to hit my head on the fin.

Result: massive forehead bump → black eye (→ strangers glaring at my husband) → bonus round: my scalp now tickles if I touch that spot. So, yeah… surf break.

This digital poster is my (safer) tribute to that turquoise water, that board-filled beach, and the very specific memory of watching my surf career end with a dramatic bonk.

Would I do it again? Maybe—with a helmet.