Experiencing a Surf

Arriving at the Booti Booti beach
see all photos »

Haven t done any surfing yet though seen some good waves and other people surfing - or trying to... So it was time to have a go myself. From the countless companies offering weekend introductions, some emphasising their good quality equipment, others the party atmosphere or free wireless internet I chose Waves Surf School.

Friday evening two buses were driving us from Sydney to a place in the middle of nowwhere near Byron Bay. First stop en route was a booze shop  where everybody was supposed to by some alcohol to have a good time on the bus. Second stop was a McDo. After something like four hours we arrived at 11pm at our "new" home continuing with some more drinks from their bar...

Standing up is easy but...

Post lunch relaxation on the beach
see all photos »

Next morning wake up time 6:30 am. Then Breakfast, get a wet suit and jump into the bus. Somehow that was three hours later until everybody was in the bus....

Okay, we made it to the beach (without any alcohol in bottles but maybe some still carried some around) with ouyr surfboards. Sunny day though rather cold water that we jumped in after a first Surfing How To from the instructior. It indeed worked out quite well and after some struggeling with the waves driving me back to shore while I wanted to go the other direction I already managed to stand up on the board. They taught us a 4 step technique to stand up, so it was always a lot of thinking and doing in a short time while at the same time keeping the balance on the board. After one day it was clear who has talent and who has not...

Standing! on the board
see all photos »

The advertised pool party tonight didn t take place. It was too cold anyway, but instead they organised some harmless though fun drinking games and subsequently sort of a disco. I had the impression the employees (i.e. the instructors and other helpers) enjoyed the party the most - we surfing learners were a bit too exhausted after a day fighting the waves.

Second day started as early as the first one but not as well - it was raining. Still we arrived at the beach, got some instruction and tried to do it in the water. Today, a lot of waiting on the board for THE wave come and catch. After half a day in the water I was so freezing I didn t dare another afternoon in the water. Without sun it was hard to get warm again. I think less than half of our team went back to surf in the afternoon.

Nice place we were learning
see all photos »

Back at camp, catch your luggage and back we were on the bus to Sydney. It was fun, included a nice bruise on my knee, and I ve done it and I know now theorethically how to surf...