Surfs Up!

Of the long list of things I would like to do that I have never done, I can now check surfing off the list!

John and I planned to spend the day at one of the other big beaches near Sydney--Manly Beach, a popular ferry and destination--as it's on the ocean side and further out on one of the peninsulas that creates Sydney harbor. 

The ferry, especially for a Sunday, was packed full of beach-goers. We got there and meandered around the main strip before stopping at a popular fish n' chips place for lunch. As we walked through the ferry station there was a gelatto place handing out a coupon for buy one get one free! We had also found a deal in a Sydney guide for $10 off surf lessons, and the Manly Surf School offered two hour lessons for $60 per person (or only $50 for us). We figured while we were in Australia, we might as well give it a go! It was actually quite fun and there were a few instructors to help everyone out. We got there early so we managed to snag bigger boards to make it easier for us to surf. 

The only downside was that it was a class of about 20 people, all beginners, and all within a very small area trying to learn to surf. It got frustrating when people would get smack dab in your way, or lose control of their surfboard so that it flew up in the air and landed right on it's edge right on your hand. It happened to me and it hurt! Surfboards are not light. 

We started out on the small surf in the beginning, which was a good place to start, before they took us out through the rip and out the back to catch the real waves. It was very tiring trying to paddle all the way out there! I now know why surfers are in such great shape! At one point, after my first short-lived ride in the deep water (and a large mouthful of salt water) I was battling to get over the breaking waves and get back to the rest of the group. Despite going out through the rip so it would make it easier, I was simply too fatigued to make it over the waves that broke closer to the shore. The instructors showed us how to get over them--mainly by trying to move the board up and over the back--but I was getting battered! Thankfully, a nice local guy saw that I was majorly struggling and took my board and helped me get through! He had to help me twice, as the first time I just got pushed back by another huge wave. But thankfully, I made it back in time for one last ride!

I would love to try it again in the future, as heaps of companies offer surf schools, some over several days, and in much smaller groups. 

But still, with the help of the instructors John and I managed to get up a few times and ride for a bit. It was quite exciting when you actually got it!  Once, I almost got all the way back to the beach until a girl ran into me. Same happened to John as well. There was a small group of girls there who were a bit precious, wearing makeup and pearl earrings and they weren't very keen on trying very hard--or staying out of the way. Unfortunately, I didn't get any video or pictures of the action, but I got a post shot!

And the best part--despite the jellyfish warning we didn't get stung or bitten by a shark! I call that a success.