Surf's Up. - New Perspective. New Zealand.

February 21, 2005

Surf's Up.

Abiding by the Kiwi tradition to try anything and everything that makes you a little nervous, I had a go at surfing yesterday. And it is sweet...

Five of us girls signed at the dotted line for an hour and a half surf lesson. It was an overcast day and the waves looked mean (very much in the Northern New England sort of way), but let me tell you - a wet suit can make any feel hard core and semi-invincible. I had not a clue how to surf nor had I skateboarded or snowboarded before. But two hours later, I found myself talking to the surf shop owner about where to get good deals on boards. Turn's out he'll sell us a long board (which is what you need to learn on) for $80...a super good deal. (a side note - He evened offered to take us wild boar hunting...we'll see about that?!)
While I've generally had bad luck at most water sports, I think I could really come to love surfing. It is incredible and powerful to watch your fellow surfers walk towards the waves in a fierce sort of way, eyeing the incoming waves and sizing up the opportunity to catch a good wave. The individualistic (and somewhat egotistical) nature of the sport is overpowered by mother nature, who wins every round. The waves win most of the time, but if you catch a good ride you feel on top of the world.
I managed to stand up about three times, but now I have the sore shoulders to prove it. It's a lot of work because you have push yourself off your board in the midst of waves, all within the matter of a few seconds.
The day ended well as we rounded out the day, wandering back into town only to run into some friends at the Cook (beer garden). Our buddies had enjoyed the afternoon listening to a local reggae band and bbq-ing. Turn's out, they hired the band to play at a grill-out party they're having on March...so that should be a sweet time.
This upcoming week is the big 0-Week, Otago's supersize orientation week. I guess it get's pretty crazy around here. We're going to a lecture on Tuesday night where Simon Yates, from "Touching the Void," is speaking about his experiences of 'cutting the rope' on their doomed mountaineering experience. I figure it's a great way to get stoked about tramping in NZ. As my friend Kirstin says, "you're not hard core unless you live hard core."

p.s. -don't worry mom & dad- I'll be safe : )

Posted by Katie on February 21, 2005 07:36 AM
Category: Dunedin

Comments

hi there katie darling. well, i'm certainly not worried about you having a good time this semester. my lord you've done a lot since i last talked to you. sounds just about right for a gal like yourself. life at olaf is grand. loving classes and friends and all that. my biggest excitement is drawing naked people in the mornings. no complaints. i'm so proud of you, katie. sounds perfect. give me a call or an email if you have a chance. love you!!!!

Posted by: rachel on February 22, 2005 04:29 AM

Hi katie, glad to hear you survived this round of surfing, just stay in that knee deep h2o and you'll come safely home to momma! Hope you get into your permanent housing soon. Bet you can't wait for classes to start . playing and vacationing can be such hard work!

Posted by: diane on February 25, 2005 03:12 PM

Hey Katie, I was so excited to hear that you took up surfing. That's more than I can say I've done. I think about you everyday in the warm weather as I stand outside in the cold Duluth blizzard with snow pelting me in the eye. School is going good. I was sick for a while so I had a hard time trying to sing but it's all good now. I taught myself to play 2 Alicia Keys songs on the Piano. Can't wait to play them for you when you get back. You take care and have lots of fun. Give me a shout sometime. Love you,

Posted by: Andrea on February 26, 2005 06:57 AM

katie dear! Wow, sounds so amazing and wonderful and fun...I am definitely jealous, but I knew this would happen:) I finally got a moment to breathe and read your stuff...it has been a busy time here at Olaf, with hours of studying for crappy exam scores in biochem (yes, read this and think of how dull my life sounds and be so glad that you are katie thurmes!:) Way to go on the surfing...you have to be a pro so I can learn later. So are you going bungee jumping or what? I'll be waiting for that one. Thanks for the interesting reads...you always know how to keep us reading. I'm so happy for you.
As for my life, I am training for Grandma's and it's been going really well...feels good to beat that India flab to a pulp:) I am going to start volunteering at the long-term care center in northfield hospital...it is sweet and I will definitely have some stories from that later.
love you and miss you....awaiting that co trip this summer to catch up!
maren

Posted by: maren ness on February 28, 2005 01:06 PM

Katie it sounds so amazing! Hey can you send me your new email address? I seem to have lost it... but mine is the same so hit me up!
~Kristi

Posted by: Kristi on March 4, 2005 01:07 AM

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