First Surfing Experience

I have been a bit delinquent on keeping up with my blogs the past month or so, but don’t fret! Luckily I take my smart phone with me everywhere so I took good notes.

On March 21^st, I had the great opportunity to join my friends in the IES program for a “free” surfing lesson. I use quotes because all the other students forget that we did INDEED pay for all these things up front! Haha nonetheless, it was a blast, despite the terrible weather! We went to my favorite beach in Australia, Manly Beach. There are about 50 students in my program so I was very impressed with how well the instructors divided us up and gave us attention. Of course, they had us sign a waiver, but being a person that jumps into the ocean every chance she gets, I wasn’t concerned. I always saw my beginner friends on these big boards and never understood why they didn’t start with smaller ones. Well, my friends and I soon found out that the longer boards were easier to ride in the ocean, but that doesn’t make them any lighter! I discovered why surfers are in such good shape! Through my first experience I realized what an upper body workout surfing is, also how important it is to have patience. We first learned how to judge the waves by simply riding them (lying down) like I have on boogie boards in the past. Once it was time to ride, I failed too many times to list. However, I did eventually catch ONE wave the whole way out and it was totally worth it. It was a small guy, but I still understand the rush my friends that surf here get and why they wake up so early to go each day.