Gold Coast - Surf Lessons

Only the Brave Need Apply
The thermometer was stuck in the high 60's and the clouds were there to stay.  Only four were brave enough for the surf lessons: The Bro, Sis, Sis-in-Law and Sis' Girlfriend.  They wouldn't admit it but as we waited at the meeting point they hoped the instructor had overslept or decided to cancel.  When he appeared, cheery and loud, barking out orders, they slumped and dragged their feet.  They slowly donned their wetsuits.  They were joined by another student who'd driven down from Brisbane that morning.

With long boards in tow, they made their way through the dunes towards shore, twenty feet below.  It was 11:30am, high tide was peaking and the wind was so strong that I zipped up my fleece just below my chin.  I was freezing and couldn't imagine going into the ocean.

The teacher was in his 50's, grizzled, face like leather.  He wore a floppy hat fastened with a chin strap that widened at the ears to become ear flaps.  He'd no doubt given these instructions thousands of times and spoke with a slow, strong Aussie accent.  "Ole-righty, oy am going to show you haw to suff, mates."

He showed them how to grab the board, how to time an oncoming wave and stressed the importance of paddling to catch the wave.  He then had them practice on land, face down, digging in the sand madly.

They would first practice catching a wave laying on the board and riding it in without standing up.  The old pro waded out in chest high waters to demonstrate.  He easily caught the first wave and exaggerated each step of the process. 

They were hesitant when he motioned them to join him.  Joanne (Sis) was the first in as expected, she is the sportiest in the group.  Next was Ben (Bro), followed by Celeste (Sis in Law) and C-Long (Girlfriend.)  The latter two struggled mightily with their boards - I wasn't sure they'd make it past the knee-high surf.

After 15 minutes, everyone had managed to catch a wave or two.  They looked exhausted yet there was an hour more to go.  The teacher cajoled and exhorted and showed them how to stand up.  Nobody managed to do so for more than an instant, most crashing face first.