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Will A Second Surf Lesson Help Me Master The Waves?

by Tony · 14 comments

Meg Catching Wave

When I think surfing, there are only a few places that immediately come to mind: Hawaii, Australia, and Bali.

I crossed Bali off of the list in October when we took our first surf lesson and will be crossing Hawaii off of the list shortly as Meg’s parents are buying boards for the family to use at their home in Kauai.

So when we were in Australia and staying near Bondi Beach (one of the most famous beaches in the world), I could not pass up the opportunity to get back out on a board.

Only having spent a few hours in the water with a surf board, I was still in desperate need of a lesson. Meg reached out to the top rated Bondi Beach surf school on TripAdvisor, Let’s Go Surfing, and booked the 2 hour intro course… yes, we took another intro course after our first one in Bali!

Why A Second lesson?

Great question.

Meg actually had a surf lesson when she was younger and has always been a natural at any sport in the water. She can pretty much stand up on a surf board within 3 waves whether she has an instructor or not.

But me? I am a whole other story…

When I wasn’t face-planting while trying to catch a wave in Bali, I was typically seen tripping over my own feet as I rose to stand. Our instructors were good enough teachers that I eventually was able to ride a few in, but there was definitely work to be done on my technique.

Tony Trying To Surf

As simple as surfing can look on TV or from shore, once the wave is starting to break and I am trying to stand, most of what I was taught disappeared. That is why I was really excited to get a second lesson. Maybe this time (after a few hours already trying to surf), some more of the lesson would stick while out on the water.

Our Day

If you’re facing Bondi Beach, Let’s Go Surfing is located at a small shop just across the road from the far left end of this massive beach.

Since the water is cold, they provided us with wet suits in addition to our boards. I don’t need any more help looking like a seal to a hungry shark with all of my flapping around in the waves, so I’ve always been a little nervous wearing a wetsuit in the water. Luckily, I was assured by our instructor that there has not been a shark attack at Bondi in 80 years.

After a little research when we got back to the apartment later, I discovered this wasn’t quite true. While there has not been a day time shark attack at Bondi in over 80 years, there was a Great White that took of a man’s hand in 2009 when he was surfing at dusk at Bondi. Thankful for the little white lie by my instructor, I was able to spend the day anxiety-free while in the waves.

Let’s Go Surfing’s intro course was really for all skill ranges, as my 10 person class had two instructors with students who had never surfed to some that were looking for more advanced tips… Perfect for me and Meg!

Meg Surfing

After a few surfing tips on land, our instructors got us out into the water to start riding waves. They also took time to help each of us catch a few easier waves as they pushed our boards into the slow breaking “green” waves.

With a few key reminders that I had already forgotten from my first lesson, I was able to ride more than a few waves all the way to shore. While my face plants never went away, my instructors did get me to a point where I at least knew what I was doing wrong on each one.

Tony Surfing

So after two separate intro lessons, I think I am finally ready to take on the waves by myself. Now that we are in Hawaii, I’ll put that theory to the test!

Our surf lesson was sponsored by Let’s Go Surfing! All opinions are our own.

About Tony
Quit his job to try actually following his dreams for once... and is currently loving it. He is working hard to to make this life-style permanent by writing about his adventures and brainstorming money making opportunities with his partner-in-crime, Meg.

Caroline @ Traveling 9 to 5 December 12, 2012 at 9:19 pm

You are two surf lessons ahead of us… our one day of surfing will be put to the test in Hawaii!! Looking forward to face planting with you in paradise.. :)

Tony December 14, 2012 at 1:46 pm

Face planting in paradise! That’s a great name for something…

I’m getting worse so the lesson advantage definitely doesn’t matter!

Wacca December 12, 2012 at 10:04 pm

G’day guys!
thanks heaps for choosing lets go surfing as one of your Sydney things to do & then blog about !!!!
Looks & sounds like you had fun :)
yes…. the pesky 80 year since shark attack death is often miscommunicated!
but we reckon more sharks seen in the bars than at Bondi!
keep surfing & we’ll see you in the surf somewhere round the world!
have fun!
wacca

Tony December 14, 2012 at 1:47 pm

Totally agree about the sharks! I only worry about them before I get in… once i’m surfing it is all forgotten (mostly).

We definitely have the surfing bug now and are trying to work on it so we can surf with the big boys and girls!

Annette | Bucket List Journey December 12, 2012 at 11:57 pm

I wish I would have taken a surf lesson! I tried to surf on my own only to end up ingesting way to much water and having apple size bruises on both my hips. Next time…

Tony December 14, 2012 at 1:50 pm

It turns out that despite TWO lessons, I still ingest a ton of water and have bruises all of over… But at least I know what i’m doing wrong even if i’m having a heck of time trying to fix it :)

Erica Carson December 13, 2012 at 7:43 am

What about South Africa ?? “J-Bay” (Jeffreys Bay) has the best surfing in the world !!!!!!! Do your homework guys and go to South Africa after you have had enough of Australia……..

Tony December 14, 2012 at 1:51 pm

Surfing in South Africa sounds amazing! It is really high up on our list of places to go in the world… although aren’t there a ridiculous number of great whites in the water? I guess that just makes it more exciting!

Tina December 13, 2012 at 9:01 am

You guys look badass on those boards!! Yay Hawaii too!

Tony December 14, 2012 at 2:14 pm

Mahalo!

Alexandra December 13, 2012 at 11:44 am

Tony I don’t recommend you google Bethany Hamiliton while you are on Kauai 😉 Mele Kalekimaka

Tony December 14, 2012 at 2:14 pm

We’re surfing at the beach where she was attacked! Trust me… it goes through my mind everytime I enter the water!

Such an inspiring story, though!

JR December 13, 2012 at 9:33 pm

I am sooooo jealous. You two look great in your suits BTW.

Tony December 14, 2012 at 2:16 pm

Luckily, we don’t need suits where we are surfing in Kauai… but the suits definitely made us feel badass!

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