Kapiolani Community College
Diamond Journal 2003Fall

An Unforgettable Beach Day
Shauna Sanborn

There I lay, outstretched along the beach at Waimea Bay. It was a gorgeous summer day with the sun at its prime penetrating through the lenses of my Roxy glasses. I could feel the warmth all around me, making me both cozy and content. My hands rested behind my head and my eyes remained closed, as a slight breeze ran against my body. I took long deep breaths and let out all my worries. My body was coated with Monoi Tahitian Oil so I could better obtain that perfect Hawaiian tan.

In front of me was a small slope, which ended where the tide crept up along the white, crystal sands. I could hear my two friends, Ashley and Brandee, breathing hysterically as they raced up the sloped sand. Boom!!! They both fell below my feet, flinging sand all over me. My irritation rose as I opened my eyes and sat up to dust off.

“You guys got sand all over me. Can’t you see I’m trying to tan?” I said sternly.

“Can’t you see I’m trying to tan?” they repeated sarcastically.

Both of them were covered in sand and looked like some kind of white monsters out of a movie. They had the nerve! Just because they were covered in sand didn’t mean I wanted to be.

“You’re so boring. We drive all the way around the island just so you can lie on the sand? Come on, let’s go in the water. It feels sooooo good,” Brandee taunted, shaking her head.

Then she and Ashley began pulling me by my arms, as my chest sunk in holding all my dead weight. Not wanting to make a scene, I finally got up and speed-walked in front of them grunting. I took my glasses off and threw them on my towel and turned around with attitude. I could hear them behind me making comments and giggling, and I tried to keep from laughing too. I am one of those people who can’t stay angry for long.

I brushed over the surface of the water with my big toe. The water felt just right. I turned around, splashed water in both my friends’ faces, and dove in before they could do anything. The cool crisp water ran through my hair and over my body, sending a tingling sensation along my oiled skin. I began swimming free style, extending my arms as far as they could go. I opened my eyes and felt the salt water slightly sting them, but then was in awe of the beauty beneath the crystal clear water. I finally surfaced, and was amazed at how far I had swum from shore. Ashley and Brandee finally caught up with me and we all giggled in excitement.

“Let’s go skinny-dipping,” Ashley persisted.

“Are you serious?” I questioned. “Okay. You go first then,” I encouraged.

“No you go first,” Ashley answered.

Brandee watched as we argued back and forth.

“Fine. I’ll go first since I go first for everything,” I said, rolling my eyes.

I appeared confident, but in the inside was a little hesitant. “What the heck,” I thought. I pulled my bikini down my thighs, and then finally off my feet. I kicked my legs to keep me above water and swung my bikini over my head with pride as Ashley and Brandee began laughing hysterically. I was about to untie my top when I heard Ashley through her chuckling, very briefly warn, “Don’t.” I became confused. I knew something was wrong. When she motioned for me to turn around, I immediately put on my bottoms and very slowly began to turn around. Oh my gosh! A couple feet away from me a man was snorkeling! I glanced with big eyes at Ashley and Brandee, as their faces began turning red from laughter. I then began to reassure myself that he didn’t see.

Just then an unfamiliar voice behind me spoke. “Hi,” the voice spoke. I turned around to confront him and realized that he was talking to me.

“Hi,” I said beneath my breath.

“Why, that’s not a sight you see everyday. I wish I could see it more often,” the man said smiling. “I’m Eric, the lifeguard of this beach. Wow, it’s really nice to meet you. What’s your name?”

I was completely stunned. Some man I had never seen in my life had seen my behind. I felt my cheeks burning up and turning red.

“Shauna,” I giggled, embarrassed.

“Don’t be shame. You have a nice butt,” he insisted before swimming into shore. I knew that next time I went skinny dipping, which wouldn’t be soon, I was going to look around really good.

We all swam to shore and began to pack up our things not long after. I was still processing in my head what had just happened. With Ashley and Brandee still laughing, I knew I was never going to hear the end of it.

Just as we folded up our towels and began walking to the shores, Eric approached us.

“I just want to say bye. Next time you come back here, come visit me. Don’t forget now, my name is Eric.”

“Okay. Sorry about that whole incident,” I said.

“Don’t be,” he responded.

I had never before felt both flattered and embarrassed at the same time. Now, every time I go to Waimea Bay, I just chuckle to myself. I’ve contemplated a few times whether to ask for Eric at the lifeguard stand. But every time I get the confidence to, I think of how ridiculous I would look. And since that memorable summer day, I’ve never seen Eric. I doubt he’ll remember my name, but I know something he’ll always remember.