It was a cold May morning when I received an email from an old friend inviting me to join a 10-day all-girls surf trip. I knew I had to say yes. The trip seemed simple enough. 10 women aged 30 to 45, all complete strangers, were to meet on the coast of Portugal to try something new: surfing in the Atlantic Ocean. I have always loved traveling, so I eagerly sent an email to my boss asking for time off to make the trip.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over my past 33 years, it’s that adults typically spend their days mastering the things they’ve done before. It seems like we pride ourselves on becoming experts in whatever field we’ve fallen into, knowing more about less. Now, in theory, this is a great strategy, as it allows you to become really good at one particular thing, but it also kind of ends up leaving some skills lacking.
I met my new surfing companions on the grass of the hotel lawn in a small surf town called Ericeira. Despite our different personalities and backgrounds, we were all united in a strong desire to challenge ourselves, learn, tackle and grow.
The shores at Ericeira, where the beginners learn to surf, are shallow and covered with slippery rocks. They make for softer waves but are difficult to ride.
Guided by our amazing coaches, together, we faced the waves. Sometimes, it poured with rain, and the waves crashed around us, but we were still out there. And with every slip and fall, words of encouragement filled the air. Honestly, I probably spent most of my days frozen to the bone, but that didn’t matter because a new level of genuine joy and personal achievement had been unlocked.
Learning a new skill taught me the humility (谦虚) that can come from doing badly at something new, and the pride that develops when you finally manage to grasp something you’ve been working on. While surfing might not be my lifelong passion, trying it out inspired me to take more risks in life. You never know what you’re capable of if you don’t go out there and try.
4. What inspired the author to join the surf trip?
A.Her love for seashore surfing. | B.Her desire to make new friends. |
C.Her need to take a break from work. | D.Her passion for exploring something new. |
5. What does the author think of adults’ focusing on mastering one field?
A.It hurts one’s pride. | B.It narrows one’s potential. |
C.It promotes one’s career success. | D.It broadens one’s view of the world. |
6. Which words can best describe the author’s surfing experience?
A.Relaxing but dangerous. | B.Tough and uninteresting. |
C.Challenging but rewarding. | D.Surprising and unforgettable. |
7. What can be inferred about the author?
A.She used to lack confidence in herself. |
B.She determined to become an expert surfer. |
C.She discovered her lifelong passion after the trip. |
D.She was more willing to try new experiences in life. |