Today's the day...My first day of Surf!

I wake up, 6 am. Kit is getting ready for work. After about an hour Jess and I decide to wake up and get ready too. We head downstairs and prepare ourself a nice toast and tea breakfast. We head down to the nearby station and take a train to Wynyard. One stop later we're there. I give Jess a big hug and get off the train, that's where it hits me: Today's the day...My first day of Surf! As I have mentioned before, the weather is quite cold, and once again the sky is overcast. Of course, I'm a little worried about the temperature of the water, but as we're going to be wearing wetsuits I know we're going to be fine. I reach the YHA Youth Hostel where we're they are going to pick me up. About 15 mins later they arrive in a 4x4 and ones they pull over they don't look very sure about whether I'm the girl they're supposed to pick up. I'm still wearing yesterday's leather pants, boots and top.... Not the usual surf outfit I'm afraid. So I nod, they recognise the gesture and let me in the car. Immediately me and the other girl hit it of. She is fun, wild and just as crazy as I am. Her name is Cath. The other student that has decided to join us is  japanese guy named Yo, unfortunately his english isn't too advanced but the three of us manage to get along. Then there is Deano, our instructor for the day. Although he's probably in his forties, he's all you would expect of a surf instructor: funny, easy-going, and crazy as hell. After stopping for food at the local supermarket, we drive for about half an hour to our location. It's a private owned beach surrounded by dunes. And thus, our surfer adventure begins...

Step number one, swimming gear. Dean hands me an XS wetsuit. But, OH NO! It has a hole in the back, so to keep out the ater we need to put another top on top of it. After that it's time for our very first surf technique lesson. Basically he explains the following:

1. How to slide on a board
2. How to get on your board

As simple as that. Basically, you have to try and get on your board in three simple steps. Number one, put your hand under your chest and push upwards so your back is stretched and your looking up, legs on the board. Number two, you do a kind of downward facing dog yoga-like move. So basically, your as is in the air and your face is looking down. Number three, you put your back foot in front of you , then your front foot in a vertical like position, slide your hands to your sides, bend your knees, and look in front of you.

And we're off! Many off you may not believe this, but after my second try I got up on my board and manage to hold my balance. Holy s***! I'm actually doing this right!!! I must say I'm pretty proud off myself, especially after Dean tells me to go further into the sea and catch some bigger waves. 'You're ready for an intermediate class' lekker ding! Oh yes, from now on this shall be my name: Lekker ding. The only dutch expression Dean knows and that literally means 'Hot thing', and yes, thats what he calls me. LOL. After what I can only guess are about 2 hours of surfing bliss, we get out of the water and start preparing the barbecue. Although the temperature hasn't been too bad in the water, out of it it is torture. However, standing next to the barbecue we manage to warm up, even if just a little bit. Also, the jackets Dean brought us are much appreciated, as we're not taking off our wetsuits. After about 2 burgers, 5 sausages, half a baguette, some fruit and coffee, I feel ready to get into the water again. This time, I must say, I am rather sceptical about the water's temperature, as we are currently freazin' our tushy's of!!! However, all is well in the water and I am happily surprised to find it's actually a lot warmer inside the water than out. However, this time, my arms are tired and so are my legs, so my balance isn't as great as the first half of the session, which is rather unfortunate, as Dean has decided to do a photo shoot. And of course, Baywatch is the appropriate theme. LOL!

After about another 2 and a half hours we decide to head back for the City, and of course, this is when the sun decides to show up. Oh well... At least we get to warm up a little now. I take e the train back home and after a nice cosy dinner with Jess and her family I stumble into bed.