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Let’s Go Surfing
Posted by Dave on January 22nd, 2008
Despite being driven around, I still found the Fraser Island tour to be tiring. I managed to get myself checked out of the hostel on time (10am), and then killed off a few hours eating my way around Hervey Bay as I awaited my bus to Agnes Water and Town of 1770. They’re two small beach communities next to each other.
Upon arrival, I found my hostel, Cool Bananas, to be the kind of place I’d want to stay longer if I had the time. Dinners were available each night for $4.50, and there was a big common area with free DVD movies. My first night I caught “Bra Boys” which is about a group of Australian surfers (who were portrayed by the public as a gang at times). It certainly put me in the mood for my surf lesson the next day (thanks to all who voted for me to give it a try). Agnes Water is the furthest north surf point on Australia’s (Queensland’s) east coast. I’m guessing that’s why it’s also the location of the cheapest surf lessons (about $13 USD).
There were 9 of us for the group surf lesson, which was apparently very few. Normally they get 20-30 people at a time. The waves were larger than normal. Heck, they were far bigger than I was anticipating, yet the instructor sent us on our way just the same. Because the waves were crashing close to shore at high tide, he sent us farther out to a middle area.
Frankly, I think we all took a beating trying to get past the waves breaking closest to shore. They were probably 3-6 feet high. The ocean sucked the life out of me, and the lesson was from 11am-2pm, so it was bloody hot to boot. Toward the end, the tide went out, and waves broke farther off shore, so we all got a chance to surf the whitewater (the little waves after the big waves break). I got up a few times, though I did better in Costa Rica a few years ago. I was soooo beat by the end of the lesson, I did little the rest of the day except watch more movies (I recommend “School for Scoundrels”). I then grabbed a night bus to Airlie Beach for my sail amongst the Whitsunday Islands!
Dare Me to do something fun, weird, or challenging on the road!
Found you through DC Blogs… I’m a Brisbane native and lived in DC.
Glad you’re having a good time in my home state! The weather hasn’t been the best, but we need the rain regardless. Enjoy!
Yep - heaps of rain however the weather in Sydney is turning out great.
I’m finally starting to book tickets myself now, currently trying to figure out the best way to get from the Gold Coast to Arlie myself.
Good to hear Dan - booking tickets definitely commits you!
Great frog picture! Much better than all those crazy, crazy spiders. Sorry to hear that you had such a bad day for the surfing, i can be such a downer when you just spend all day exghausting yourself. Great price though!