Let's go surfing!

Nick was pretty excited about our trip today to finally give surfing a go. I was quite apprehensive about doing it but was trying to be open minded and give it a good go. We were collected from our hotel at 12pm because that's when the high tide was so this gave us time to have a relaxing morning and a good brunch before heading off. Our teacher for the day, Godfrey, was very welcoming and relaxed about the day. We made the trip to Natadola beach, one of the best beaches to visit in Fiji where we were to have our lesson. On the way we stopped at his house to collect another rash shirt and were give fresh mangos off of his tree which were delicious. We were with another girl called Grace for the experience who was originally from the Philippines and she showed us how to eat a mango without the need for a knife. It was messy but does mean we can buy some during our future travels without worrying about having a knife to use. We changed into our swim suits and rash shirts before Godfrey set up our boards on the beach to practice the technique on. The steps to take involved lying on the board with your hands under your chest ready to then push up the front of your body followed by lifting your bottom into the air before moving your back foot to the middle of the board and standing up as you bring the other foot into position. It was relatively easy on the sand but I wasn't optimistic that it would be as easy on the water. There was minimal waves on the beach but we all headed out to where the few waves were and lead on our boards waiting. Godfrey was stood in the water waiting for it to look like a good wave was coming in. He then lined one of us up and gave us a push and said the steps as we went to help us. Nick went first and was brilliant, standing up on his first go and riding the wave as far as it went before it disappeared. I on the other hand did not have such luck with my first go. I struggled to get to standing and with all the steps to remember continued to just fall off the board every time. Nick did have a few times where he didn't get up but overall be was really good at it and continued to perfect the technique. Amazingly after many many tries I got to standing! Everyone who had come out to surf cheered as I managed to do it. I only managed once more but it felt so good to achieve it a couple of times. The girl Grace we were with left after a while to get her phone and video us doing it for a travelling video she is making. The quality is poor and blurry but I managed to take a couple of screenshots of Nick from it. It was a great fun experience despite the fact we both now have extremely painful sunburn on the back of our legs from lying on the board waiting for a wave. I'm so pleased Godfrey gave us shirts or we'd have sunburn on our upperhalves too I think it's something we will definitely try again in the future as long as we are both wearing a wet suit that covers our legs!Read more