When hurricane Bill kicked up some serious surf in Rhode Island last weekend, many of us parents rediscovered a joy of childhood — Boogie Boarding.

I had totally forgotten how much of a thrill it could be. A friend dragged me out on Saturday and that’s all it took. I was hooked. I was practically wrestling the board from my kids to catch some more waves. And when my youngest wanted me to ride the little, already crashed waves with him, I’d set him up, send him off and sprint out to catch a real roller.

Out in the heavy duty surf — moms and dads were bobbing around waiting for the big ones. We were all on boards barrowed from our kids and having the time of our lives. I saw one woman, probably around 45, riding in a wave so big, her face was being pummeled with foam and she was barely hanging on. But after the ride she exclaimed to me excitedly — her hair all askew — “Did you see that?”

On Sunday, I thought I had had enough. My legs were bruised and my muscles sore, and I planned to just rest on the beach, till my daughter asked me to come out with her. So I grabbed a board and headed out for just a wave or two. A half hour later, she was cold and tired and heading in but not me. I just had to catch one more wave.

Bonnie Wallace, mom of three boys, rides out a wave. photo by Matt Taylor