Injured on Day One of Surf Trip and Having Existential Crisis
I am looking to vent as literally no one in my family or friend group will understand my sorrow right now. I had this trip planned for 2 weeks on Oahu since October and looked forward to it probably every day since. Spent a lot of time in the water getting into decent shape for it. Day one in Waikiki I rented a board and happily paddled out to the spot near my hotel only to have the kookiest of kook things happen and my board struck me in the ribs during a wipeout. I think it was the second wave or something. The ocean just whooped my ass and now I think I have a bruised rib. I continued to surf after that and had some fun little sessions in smaller waves, but now into the second week of the trip I am questioning all my choices.
I have been more or less obsessed with this sport for many, many years and have invested so much time, punishment, perseverance and money- so much money especially this trip which was in the several thousand dollars range- and now here I am in Oahu struggling to just keep it together. I can’t take a deep breath, cough, cry or sneeze without very sharp pain and surfing has been removed from the agenda and I’m literally grieving. I realize I’m a privileged person and I know things could be so much worse. We have been doing other stuff just taking it easy and enjoying the island in other ways. But I am so sad. Please talk me off the ledge guys.
Edited to say: My rib could be fractured, I actually have no idea because I’ve not gotten an x-ray. Thank you to everyone responding. I totally see how this could be worse. I can still enjoy this beautiful place in other ways.