Surfing Lessons – Day 1

Totally exhausted but very happy. That’s how we felt just after our first surfing lesson. Pamela and I have decided that since we’re planning on living the beach here in Australia that we should learn how to surf. We’d heard it was great exercise but had no idea just how exhausting it was going to be.

Pamela catching one of many waves

We kicked off the first of our two lessons on a beautiful Monday morning in the small beach town of South Durras on the South Coast of New South Wales. We hadn’t seen the sun in seven days and were beginning to get cabin fever so the surfing and sun couldn’t have come any sooner. Situated about twenty minutes north of Batemans Bay, the small town (pop 400) of South Durras, looks to be more beach that anything else. Large, empty beaches line the coast here and we couldn’t think of a better place to learn to surf.

Having a great time trying not to fall off

Having a fun fall

We met our instructor Graeme, from Soulrider Surf School, beachside at 10:00am. A bit nervous, Graeme’s chilled out demeanor put our minds at ease as we put on our provided wetsuits, grabbed some foam type boards and headed to the sand. With the sun shining on our faces we practiced popping-up/standing on our boards again and again with Graeme demonstrating then providing feedback on our techniques. Confident that we got the pop process, we headed out to the waves. As this was the first lesson we simply held onto the leash and walked the boards out to keep them pointed in the right direction. From the beach the waves looked a bit small but as we walked out the waves seemed to loom larger and larger.

Dallas showing us how it's done

Once in the surf, Graeme helped us by telling us when to jump on the board, telling us when to paddle and telling us when to jump up. For the first few waves he even helped us by holding the back of the board to keep it straight. Catching the first few waves sounded like this Paddle-Paddle-Paddle-Paddle, Up-Up-Up-Up. Within the first few minutes all three of us had stood up on boards and caught a wave. Standing up for the first time was such a great feeling. Over the next 90 minutes we practiced catching waves until we could no longer lift ourselves off the board. Our arms felt like they had anvils attached near the end there and we were relieved to pull our boards in for the day. It was a great first day of surfing and we definitely got what we came for. Up next, day two!

Dallas, myself and Pamela completely buggered from our first lesson

More photos from our first day of surfing can be found on the Soulrider Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.197471743691952.35561.142365005869293&type=1

Cheers for Now –

Pamela and Dave