Donna Holmes has become an internet sensation after her granddaughter taught her how to surf during her 80th birthday celebration. She turned 80 in November.
According to “Good Morning America,” Holme’s granddaughter, Brisa Hennessy, said, “It was a picture perfect day, the sun was out, there was no wind and it was small and glassy conditions.”
“I acted like it was spontaneous but the real reason I wanted her to come to Fiji was to surf with me,” she added.
Hennessy also noted, “We had nothing going on that day and so I was like, ‘Grandma we are going surfing!’”
She described Holmes as “the firecracker, no hold back, adventure seeker, arms and hearts wide open lady.”
Hennessy, a professional athlete, explained she longed to teach her grandmother because surfing is her “happy place.”
“There is something about sharing the love of surfing and reliving the magic of riding your first wave, especially with someone you love,” she continued.
“I’m so beyond proud of her and already planning our next surf trip,” she added.
Hennessy described her special bond with her grandmother, noting, “She is so young at heart but she has the wisest soul. We truly can do anything together and talk about everything together.”
“She is my best friend and one of my biggest inspirations and aspirations in my life,” she concluded.
The original post was shared to Instagram shortly after the trip. The video contains various clips of Homes’ lesson, and her success catching a wave.
View this post on Instagram
It has been viewed almost 2 million times and has received over 89,000 likes.
Hennessy captioned it, “This is 80!!!! It’s never too late to catch a wave, it’s never too late.”
The comments are filled with thousands of well-wishes and appreciation for such a positive experience between family members of very different generations.
One user summed it up, “One of the best posts I’ve ever seen!”