AIRBNB EXPERIENCE: LEARN TO SURF IN MUIZENBERG
DURATION: 1,5 hours PROVIDED: Surfboard and wetsuit TAKE: A swimming costume, towel, sunscreen and lock for a locker COST: R450 per person
We spend a lot of time at the beach – my husband and son both boogie board and I love to swim, so we go often. I always wanted to try surfing, but it just seemed like something people who are more active or fit would do. I was anxious on the morning of the lesson, worried that I wouldn’t be able to do it ... and that there would be sharks!
I arrived at Surf Emporium in Muizenberg just before 9am, where I was given a wetsuit and directed to the locker room. It was my first time wearing a wetsuit, so I needed some help getting it on! I was then introduced to my instructor, a 23-year-old called Thomas who’s been surfing since he was 13, and welcomed by Roxy Davis, the nine-time SA surfing champ who designed the Learn to Surf course.
Since I was the only one who had booked on a random, cloudy Friday, I got a one-on-one session with Thomas. For the first 15 minutes he explained some safety rules and what the various flags meant: sharks, no sharks, shark spotted, etc. Luckily the black shark flag was up (meaning no sharks were spotted in the water). Then we did some stretches and he explained the various sides of the board and where to lie on it while you paddled. After that he demonstrated three ways of ‘jumping up’ on to the surfboard to catch the wave.
The weather was overcast when we arrived, but by the time we got into the water it was clearing up and well on its way to being a perfect day for surfing: the water was a warm 24 degrees (practically tropical if you’re a Capetonian!), the sun bright and the waves kept coming. The paddling part was quite easy, but trying to stand up was very tricky. I fell off SO many times! Mostly because, according to Thomas, I was shifting my body back, which lifted the board at the front. Thomas was great though, patient and very encouraging. His ‘you can do this’ attitude really made the lesson fun and gave me the courage to want to stand up ontheboard.
After many, MANY failed attempts, I managed to stand up fully – what a thrilling moment! I can’t tell you how long I stood, but for those few seconds I felt like a surfer! I had actually done it. Further attempts to replicate the experience were not successful, but it was so much fun trying. The bug has bitten; I will be back. I highly recommend this experience – if I can do it, anyone can.
After many, MANY failed attempts, I managed to stand up fully – what a thrilling moment!