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Published: November 24th 2008
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Today is Jeffrey's Bay. "J Bay" is known for surfing. I'm booked at a hostel right on the beach, complete with a surf school. Last night when I arrived, there was a beautiful view of the moonlit beach and ocean waves under the stars to greet me.
I sleep horribly at the hostels. I just wake up constantly, every hour, all night. Apparently I'm a light sleeper after all those months in quiet pitch-black rocking cabins of the ships! I don't think I've slept solidly since I arrived in the country, save maybe when I was staying at Jackie's.
This morning, I had booked myself a surf lesson. I seriously considered cancelling. My back hurt so badly from kayaking yesterday and I was really irritable. But the sun was shining, the waves were crashing and I was in the town known for surfing. And on my life list of things to do: surfing. I made myself go. You'd think, what with my Beach Boys infatuation since childhood, I'd have tried it before now. But no, today was the day. And the whole time I was singing Beach Boys songs to myself!
There was our instructor (Martin) and seven
of us in the class. We walked about 500m up the beach from the hostel. Our boards were driven to us because the wind was so strong, otherwise we'd normally carry them. Then we had our 2 hour lesson. It was a good lesson. First, Martin aided us in catching our first wave, so we could feel what it's like to ride a wave. (Awesome!) Then we covered paddling and how to catch waves on our own. And we spent time in the water doing that. Finally we were shown how to stand on the board and we were back in the water to try that.
Surfing is not easy! At least not for me. I caught on pretty well on how to catch and ride the waves. Almost any wave I go for, I catch. Mind you, I'm choosy about my waves (at least it seemed that way to me, compared to the others). Riding the waves is so great. I was quite nervous about surfing. I'm still afraid of white water, after the near drowning while rafting the Nile. And you just hear about getting bashed around falling off boards. Whiel I swallowed and inhaled plenty of
salt water, it was really okay. We were in quite shallow water and while I fell and was tossed around plenty, you could always find bottom and upright yourself. So I could relax and enjoy riding the waves.
However, I could not nail standing up. I stood up, but would immediately fall. I just either didn't get my feet up, of I would and they'd be off place so I'd fall. I enjoy surfing and I think I'd like to try it again.
But I have to say, it was difficult to enjoy myeslf fully today. It was painfully cold! As soon as we started the lesson, the clouds rolled in and the wind picked up, so we had no sun to warm us. And the water was only 16 degrees! We had wet suits on, so we weren't frozen, but it wasn't comfortable. And my poor feet, it felt like knives (or icecicles!) stabbing them. Maybe that's why I couldn't get my feet right - they'd stopped working!
So I think I will try surfing again sometime - in warm water so I can actually enjoy the experience!
After class and much needed shower, I
walked into town. There's a massive Billabong Factory store and I went in, but I'm not much of a brand name shopper to begin with, so it did little for my interest. Iwent to a restaurant with a great interior and menu, but disappointing food. But I realized it was my first disappointing meal I've had out since getting to the country, so I'm doing pretty well! There's not much to the town, especially on Saturday when it's all closed, except ehe beach, which was too cold to enjoy. So it was back to the hostel. I finished "Long Walk to Freedom", such an excellent book. Watched the rugby game (where South African beat Scotland 42-6!) and wrote some postcards. Now just waiting for the bus to take me on to my next adventure!
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Tot: 0.357s; Tpl: 0.011s; cc: 33; qc: 145; dbt: 0.2241s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.4mb
swills82
Sarah Willett
Good for you Netter - yet another thing on my list as well. I've heard it's difficult. I'm excited though to try. Did your dancer balance come in handy at all? :)