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Surfing With Aaron Lock

SurfingWassup? Surf's Up. Well it was for three days during the summer holz when some local dudes and dudettes got the chance to learn how to surf* with Aaron and his team of skilled instructors down at Sumner.

I caught up with three of them - William, William and Jimmy - one afternoon after school and had a bit of a goss about how it had gone.

Did all of you enjoy learning how to surf?
Yep, it was really cool. We were picked up from the Diverse Youth Café here in Linwood and didn't have to worry about transport or anything. And all the gear was laid on too - wetsuits and boards.
So how long were you out there for?
About three hours each day. The first day was a bit different coz we had to do a lot of stuff on dry land like warm-up exercises and practising how to get up on your board. We had to get our technique right first.
Was that difficult?
Nah. Dead easy. You just kinda stretch your leg out like … this, push up like … this … and that's it. It was pretty hard the first day once we got out into the water. It takes a while to get used to the waves and getting your balance and timing right.
Did it take you long to stand up on your boards?
Nope. We were all up in the first five minutes or so but it got real tiring out there. Falling off and getting back on again and paddling out and all of that. The second and third days were much easier though. You kinda got stronger and got used to it.
Did anyone drop out?
Everyone who started did the full three days. Some of the girls got real tired though - mainly coz there was a lot of upper body strength needed but they all stuck it out and just took time out on the beach when they got past it.
How far out did you go?
We were never out of our depth and Aaron and the other instructors were out there with us all the time. They were really cool.
What was there anything you didn't like?
We all got pretty thirsty and hungry out there and the first wave that dumps ya isn't too great! But mostly it was just so cool being out there and waiting for The Wave and just yacking to each other. And, man, when you catch that first ride ...!
Are you all going to carry on surfing?
You bet. We've already got a system sorted out for checking out the surf at New Brighton and once one of us has got our driver's license we'll be right into it! Plus there's a chance that school may look at adding surfing to our sports choices.
So, in one word how would you sum up the surfin' experience?
Extreme!

Surfing

* Supported by the Hagley Ferrymead Community Board & Christchurch City Council Leisure Unit

Originally published 2003. Photos taken by Susan Smith.