surfing Archives - With Some Grace

Shredding Bondi Waves? Priceless!

September 3, 2013 By: mamagrace7127 Comments

Life as a blogger can be so damn tough sometimes.

Just as I was recovering from my fine dining blind date, a week later I was booked in for a surfing lesson, lunch and tour with the famous surf school, “Let’s Go Surfing” at Bondi Beach.

Like I said, tough.

Paired up with my blogger in crime, Chocolate Suze, we were greeted by Tim, our very smiley and friendly surfing guide for the day.

Originally from Tahiti, Tim reminded me how laid back, relaxed and chilled surfers actually are. And why for a highly-strung gal like me, it was a good thing I married one.

Soaking in the sunny Saturday morning, we went for a drive around the famous Eastern Coastal Walk, visiting the neighbouring pristine beaches of Bronte and Tamarama.

All the while, Tim also explained how to do a surf check. You know, look for waves just like real surfer dudes. Über cool.

This happened to be a big tip for me because I never understood why Mr Surfer often drives endlessly from beach to beach, staring intently at the ocean. I thought he was being a big softie daydreamer. I totes get it now. He’s just looking for his perfect wave.

We headed back to the surf shack to get ourselves “(wet) suited up” and ready to shred some waves.

To be honest, I was certain we were going to freeze our tatas off. But working like 3 extra layers of fat, er… I mean skin, the wetties kept us toasty.

Then, came the real test.

I could very well have been forced to eat my words at this point. Yeah, I was married to an avid surfer. Yeah, I’ve surfed in Hawaii, Noosa and Byron Bay. But I had never paddled out on my own wave. Mr Surfer always pushes me on to one. This time, Tim promised that he’d teach me…which of course, would make me a fully fledged Bondi Surfing Girl. Woot!

Surprisingly, the water wasn’t cold. In fact, it was refreshing.

And while I was a little wobbly at first…

I did it!

And did it again!

I still got it!

Shaka!

A big morning surf like that calls for an even bigger lunch!

Tim took us to a local eatery and while watching the waves that we had just shredded minutes earlier, I tucked into this:

Behold, the lunch of surf champions.

Despite, being a Sydney eastern suburbs local myself and knowing a little about getting on a surfboard, there’s nothing like touring your own neighbourhood from the eyes that know it differently. And rather having to constantly rely on Mr Surfer, thanks to Tim, my levels of surfing confidence has shot up!

The sense of freedom from riding a wave is truly indescribable. Doing it all at one of Australia’s most iconic beaches makes it even more memorable.

I reckon everyone’s gotta try surfing at least once in their lives.

As part of the Priceless Sydney campaign, I’m offering readers a chance to win the entire Bondi experience – from the surfing, dining and exploring.

Valued at $289, the 4 hour surfing tour includes:

Transfers
An exclusive group lesson
A Surf lifesaving club tour
A casual beachside lunch at a famous local spot
Incredible sightseeing and photo opportunities based on instructors personal knowledge
Time to swim, surf, relax and catch some rays Bondi style.
The offer will be redeemable until 7^th of November.

All you have to do is:

Like With Some Grace on Facebook
Subscribe to With Some Grace
Leave a comment on this post, telling Mama G: Where’s your favourite locally famous hang out spot? And what makes it famous?

Terms and Conditions:

▪ This giveaway is only open to Australian residents

▪ Closing date for entries is 10 pm AEST Tuesday, 10th of September.

▪ The winners will be contacted via email on the following Wednesday.

▪ If the winner does not reply to my email within 24 hours, another winner will be chosen.

▪ Entries will be judged on merit and decision of the winner will be final.

Joining Essentially Jess for the one and only IBOT

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“If everybody had an ocean…”

January 2, 2013 By: mamagrace7121 Comments

The day finally came! Mr Surfer couldn’t be happier!

The twinlets had their first go on a surfboard (mine, mind you) and LOVED it!

Now, just to get me back out there. I mean, gee, it’s just been 4 years…

Joining in Trish at My Little Drummer Boys for Wordless Wednesday.

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“Watch Out ! Here Comes Mama Bear !”

November 26, 2010 By: mamagrace71comment

With the risk of sounding overtly sappy, I have been struggling with how best to describe this in-built “Highly Sensitive-Over-Protective-Mama-Bear” function that I have developed since becoming a mother. People who know me personally will testify that I am a demonstrative person who wears her heart on her sleeve, anyway. But this is far deeper. Much more intense. And because of it, I am surprised at the times I have turned into a blubbering mess.

The other day, as I collected the mail from our letterbox, I picked up my husband’s latest copy of “Surfing Life” magazine. As a birthday surprise for him, I had ordered a year’s subscription. But my heart sank when I saw the cover. The photo was of 3 times World Surfing Champion Andy Irons with his arm casually around his long-time rival, (but eventual personal friend), 10 times Champion Kelly Slater.

At the tender age of 32, Andy Irons suddenly passed away earlier this month. From the perspective of a new mother, what makes this story truly heartbreaking to me, is that at the time of his death, Andy’s wife, Lindy was 8 months pregnant with their first baby – a son.

Unexpectedly, the tragic news shook me up. I couldn’t understand it. I had barely cared much for Andy Irons or his career. The little that I had followed of his life had been through my husband’s interests in the surfing world. But for some reason, I put myself in Lindy’s shoes. I couldn’t bear to think how she was going to face child birth and child rearing as a widow. I had also read that despite his fiery competitive nature, Andy was looking forward to becoming a dad. In hearing all of this, my Mama Bear mode was turned on: full-throttle.

Seeing the magazine cover bought up all those emotions again.

When I passed the magazine over to my husband, he could see that I was visibly upset. He had one look at the cover and he knew immediately – that damn switch was on…again. Bless my husband. He has perfectly figured out how to deal with these melodramatic incidents. As if it was part of the routine, he just calmly asked if I was okay. Between sobs, I mumbled, “It’s so, so, sad…he was going to be a father…”

My hubby turned around and gave me a hug. It was all I needed.

Almost anything can trigger off that emotional explosion. (It’s for this very reason, I cannot stand to watch the news on television). The severity of the situation is irrelevant.

This is going to sound utterly ridiculous (deep breath), but I was completely beside myself when watching the Pixar animation “Up”. But come on, with main themes such as unconditional love, devoted friendships and the struggle to find self-confidence ? Well, that’s just a guaranteed recipe for uncontrollable floodgates.

Then, there is the most dramatic episode to date. The big clincher: The day I was discharged from the maternity hospital and had to leave behind my premature babies at the Newborn Care Centre. A Mama Bear being sent home without her newborn cubs. I was inconsolable. A complete emotional wreck. Just writing about it, still tears me up.

In writing this blog post, I am well aware of the dangers portraying myself as a neurotic, highly-strung mother. That’s okay. I know I’m not. I am a new mother becoming attuned with her heightened feelings of love, joy, happiness, gratitude – mixed with a deep desire and need to protect and nurture. I’m going to sit back and let these emotions over-ride me. And that’s okay too.

The late Andy Irons with his wife, Lindy

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