My weekend of fun, sun and surf began on the Friday evening when I met my fellow surf campers. Everyone was so friendly and we soon became acquainted with each other. There were people from across the globe – from countries such Germany, Brazil, Sweden, America and many more.
A brief overview of the itinerary for the evening was given. The two experience operators were so warm and welcoming; they quickly won the affections of the group with their humour and relaxed personalities. As we made our way out of the city and the sun went down, conversations were sparked and friendships began to form. We stopped just after the airport to indulge in some delicious hamburgers. They were not the usual fast food chain variety, but a wholesome version from a renowned burger shop.
We made our way down the south coast to the beautiful town of Gerringong, with green rolling hills and rugged cliff faces meeting the ocean. Upon arrival we were given a run-down on the camp and rules. The facilitator was sure not to bore us, throwing in the occasional joke or funny story to keep our attention. Our accommodation was custom designed for the surf camp experience; it was well set up with everything we could need.
We knew we had a big day of surfing ahead of us so we selected our room mates and settled in for the night. The next morning we rose to a glorious sunny day, perfect for hitting the beach. Breakfast was served at 7am in the communal eating area. An impressive spread was provided. We were up for big day and needed plenty of energy and enthusiasm.
The beach was only a short five minute walk from the holiday park. Everyone put on their wetsuits, which were necessary for sun protection and warmth, and we made our way down to the sand. The beach was stunning, with a long stretch of almost-white sand and pristine water washing the shores.
The first part the lesson was to take part on the sand. The basic concepts of standing up were covered. Once we felt comfortable with the steps and were provided with personalised tips from the wonderful coaches, we were then invited into the water to put our newfound skills to action.
After several attempts I started to feel it come together. I even managed to stand up a couple of times. The joy and sense of accomplishment was amazing!
Time passed and it was lunch time, we had definitely earnt it! Our lunch was extremely satisfying and we went through the photos taken by the camp facilitator to put names to faces. It was great to see ourselves in action. We got a well needed rest for an hour or so, then headed back to beach to run over the morning’s lesson and practice.
By the end of the afternoon I was rather proud of myself. I was feeling a lot more confident in the water and managing to ride a few waves. The whole group was very encouraging of each other and we all congratulated each other on our efforts and progress.
When we got back to camp we freshened up. Some decided to relax by the pool and others, including myself, took a walk to the lookout. The view from the top was breathtaking.
Dinner was a delicious BBQ with something for everyone, including the vegetarians. We enjoyed some well deserved drinks then made our way to ‘the local’. Here we danced to the band and kicked up our heels. With another early start imminent I made it into bed at a reasonable hour, looking forward to the next day.
Another sunny day greeted us, breakfast was served and afterwards we made our way to the beach. This morning I was very excited to make a splash and further develop my skills. The instructors showed us how to turn on the sand and again we put it into practice in the water.
Whilst out trying to catch the waves, we were joined by beautiful whales frolicking far off shore. Our final afternoon lesson proved to be the best and most exciting, providing an opportunity to display all the skills we had learnt throughout the camp. The swell was good and we all had a blast. I managed to get in a few turns and ride waves to shore. I had come so far with my surfing in just two days!
It was hard to leave the water. I just wanted to catch just one more wave! Surfing is such a fun sport and a great exercise. The camp provided me with an opportunity to learn in an ideal setting where everyone was given personalised attention and encouragement.
I met so many interesting people and the journey back to Sydney was very entertaining. Everyone was singing to classics to pass the time. On arrival back in Sydney we were invited to a popular bar and enjoyed beer and pizza. The perfect way to wind down our weekend surfing adventure!
