Learning to Surf

The day has dawned on yet another beautiful day here on the sunny Gold Coast. I am here once again, with my tea pot of course, pondering the many ambitious challenges I have set for myself. One I forgot to mention but has been a long time goal for me is to surf. I mean, come on, I am a gold coast local and at 26 years of age I cannot stand up on a surfboard for longer than a couple of seconds

This goal has a long history of attempts with little follow through- but there have been a lot of laughs. I remember the last time I attempted surfing, I went out to a local beach with a few of the "longboarder" girls from work. Of course, I told them that I could surf. The truth is that I had had a few lessons when I was 16 and happened to be in possession of a shortboard, the more difficult style of board to surf with.

Well, this shortboard happened to have a "few soft spots" and was not exactly waterproof as I found out. I was also a good 10-15kg heavier than I am now, so the board had some difficulties keeping me afloat. Add to this a bikini that I was deluding myself was suitable disappeared up my butt crack EVERY time I jumped back on the board. I did manage to get up on one of the other girls' boards, but after flashing the world my butt and slowly sinking, I can't say the attempt was a successful one. Those girls and I still have a laugh at the time the "full moon rose over Currumbin beach"

Recently, I decided to bite the bullet and buy another board. And again, I put myself on a steep learning curve and got a shortboard. My father lovingly restored it, adding fibreglass and resin here and there, sanding, repairing dings and even painted the tail of the board gold. There was no way that this baby was going to sink. I went down to the local surf shop, got myself a rashie and some wax, chucked the board in my little 2 door car (which was an interesting event all in itself) and went down to the beach. As I gazed out at the ocean, fear struck me. Not that I might hurt myself, or a shark may come up from the depths and bite my leg off. I was afraid that I would look like an idiot... So after a leisurely swim at the beach, I ended up merely taking my surfboard for a drive.

Not deterred, I threw the board in the back the next fine day with had we conviction- I WAS GOING TO SURF. No ifs, no butts, no excuses. I arrived at the beach and smiled up at the sky as the warmth on the sun drenched my features. I was ready. Just as I was about to touch my surfboard, the phone rings. My boss was in desperate need of someone to cover a shift. Being in need of money and always a sucker for someone in need, the board again never made it out of the car. My father now asks me when I am going to take my board for a drive again...

And as fate would have it, now I have resolved to be fearless and let no challenge go unturned, an opportunity to learn again has presented itself. I was at work when I was having a friendly banter with some customers, one of which was not at all difficult to look at. He mentioned that it would be great to win the lotto so that he could be a beachbum and surf all day. I said that I was a beachbum in training and would be happy to help him spend his lotto winnings with him, should he win. After discussing my ambition to learn to surf, he gave me a big wink and said that he was a surf instructor. Over the course of the afternoon I chatted with him and his friends and thought nothing of our encounter. Then as they were leaving, he came up to me, gave me his number and said that if I was ever interested in that surf lesson he would love to teach me.

So, I have a free lesson from a tall, dark and handsome surfer dude... which I haven't called. I know, I know I am CRAZY. Whilst he was tall, dark and handsome, there were some boxes that remained unchecked and I am fussy these days. Plus I believe that if a guy really wants you (and not just what is in your pants) he will ask for your number, he will court you and blah blah blah- not give you his number and expect you to do the chasing.

After careful deliberation, I slapped myself up the side of the head and wiped the tickets of my shoulder- it's just a surfing lesson, its not a date or anything romantic. Although he showed definite interest in me, I just want a surfing lesson and that is what he offered. It doesn't get anymore simple than that. And if he is interested, well he will find out very quickly that he is going to have some work to on his hands.

So let let you know how it goes...