Mojo Surf Camp on Arrawarra Beach

It was a stressful and busy week at uni, so Jess, Nikki and I were lucky to have plans already! We were off to Mojo Surf Camp at Spot X on the Gold Coast. We got very little sleep on thursday night and woke up bright and early to catch our 6am bus. Luckily we were able to take a snooze on the bus. A pit stop for brekkie at Mackas (McDonalds) was nice and then we were off again. The ride was about 6 hours, with an hour time difference once we crossed into New South Wales from Queensland.

The weather was overcast, but we were optimistic. A weekend of surfing and forgetting about the stressors of uni was just what we needed. When we arrived, many other groups of people were there. We got our wristbands, a tour and then settled into our dorms.... not so nice but it was to be expected. Lunch was ready for us and then we hung out, got on our swim suits and were ready for our first surf lesson. We got some instruction, the basics, before we left camp from our main instructor, Sugar. Yes, thats the name he gave us, so we went with it. Then it was time to grab our boards and head to the beach! First of all, they are very tall for a very short me. We learned how to 'look cool' when we carry them however i definitely did not look cool because my arms were too short to carry the board the 'cool' way. They were also very awkward to carry. We hiked to the beach and set down our boards for further instruction. Learning how to properly stand up on them was first, then how to steer, different ways to get up, when to paddle and what to do if you wipe out. Then, we were off to the big pacific!

There were many instructors in the water with us telling us when to paddle, to get us started, and how to catch our first wave. Surprisingly, i got up on my first try and rode all the way to the beach!! I was so pumped! It was downhill after that though, with a streak of wipeouts and ocean drinking. I got up a few times the first afternoon, but the salt water was burning my throat and eyes, so it was hard for me to concentrate. Surfing is hard work! Learning when to start paddling and when to stand up were the hardest parts for me. I hoped day 2 would be more successful. After our 2 hour lesson, we were wiped, and got a shower and some dinner. It was a lazy night with meeting new friends and hanging out.

Saturday we woke up early for brekkie, and were ready to catch some waves by 10! I decided to try to catch my first wave of the day, unassisted... I nailed it and rode it to the beach! It was a positive start to my day! During our 2nd two hour lesson, we got some advice on how to avoid drowning in the big waves. It didn't work very well for me. I got swallowed many times. The ocean is very intimidating especially when you have a giant board that overpowers you attached to your foot. I twisted things, hit my head on the bottom, got tangled in the board cord, and came away with many cuts, bruises and board rash. The highlight of the lesson, though, was when one instructor told me i was ready for the green waves. White waves are the small, already broken waves. Green waves are the big ones that have yet to topple over. I was so nervous, but he said he wouldn't let me die, so i went for it. 1st try..... complete wipeout! I swallowed a gallon of salt water and got knocked around alot. But, i was determined! So, he took me out again and try 2... was amazing!!!! I rode a huge green wave (and looked like a pro doing it) all the way to the beach! I was so proud! That was the last time i did that though because i failed on my 3rd attempt and was exhausted after that. Surfing is alot of fun, but very tiring too.

After our lessons, we hung out on the beach, had lunch, showered and hung with friends. After dinner we all had some fun. The second night was more lively because we had more sleep under our belts. We went out on to the beach during the night to look at the stars..... A-Maze-ing! It was so gorgeous and you could hear the waves rolling too.

We woke up Sunday for our last lesson... a horrible surfing day for me. It was not my day, so after drinking enough salt water and having no energy, I decided to live up life on the beach! I took some photos and had fun with Jess, Nikki and some new friends, Emily, April, Kieren, Karli and Amy. We had lunch and then packed up for our bus ride home. We were able to stop in Byron Bay on the way home, for about an hour. It was a cool place, wish we had more time there. I got some homemade icecream! Strawberries and cream, and a scoop of snickers too! It was amazing. Then we boarded again for the rest of our 6 hour ride back home. We arrived back at USC around 7pm and I was completely exhausted. My left eye was throbbing from a cut and bruise I attained while surfing on Saturday. I think my long fingernails were the cause...

Overall, it was such a fun weekend filled with laughs, new experiences, friends and relaxation. Now, back to uni for week 4 and lots and lots of paper writing and homework. At Mojo, they had people taking pictures friday and saturday of us surfing. They got some good ones of me, so when I have those, I'll be posting them as proof I can surf!!