I Finally Made It!!!

[Island Bri]

I finally made it to Auckland, New Zealand. I'm actually going to a surf school this weekend at Taupo Bay. Although the weather looks downright dismal right now, there's supposed to be some pretty good swells coming in later today and tomorrow. Hopefully I'll be able to report back with good photos and that I haven't washed out!

[northswell]

woohoo

[essex sucks]

concrats have fun

[PapaW]

[RJD]

Welcome to New Zealand babe! Have fun, watch out for those Piha clubbies!

[Old Guys Rule]

I am jelous

[O_Danny_Boy]

Welcome to New Zealand babe! Have fun, watch out for those Piha clubbies!

more like watch out for RJD

[Island Bri]

Thanks guys! Though, would RJD be one of these said "Piha Clubbies?"

Well I just came back in from my first 2 hour lesson. My instructor says I'm doing really well, but still (obviously) have things to learn. I'm up to paddling out, riding the wave, got alignment on the board right, and am now working my way up to standing on the board - I'm at just pushing my torso up now.

We've broken for lunch right now then are heading back out at 2pm. Hopefully I can improve on what I've done so far (like not swalling so much salt water! Egads!).

Two other questions...

1. I keep getting knocked down (or just end up flat on my butt) when I get back to shore after a wave. I've been told to shift off the board and stand up, but I can't seem to get it in time.

2. Has anyone had back injuries from beginning surfing? My left lower back is bugging me something fierce.

[drowningbitbybit]

Keep at it!

2. Has anyone had back injuries from beginning surfing? My left lower back is bugging me something fierce.

The lower back is the classic place for surfing pain. Its from the whole arching your back thing as you paddle. Thats not a natural position at first. There's not a lot you can do about it other than surf more often.

Learning is the worst phase for it, as you spend so much time paddling.

[pkbum]

Learning is the worst phase for it, as you spend so much time paddling.

I bet to differ .

[billie_morini]

Bri,
this is fabulous news. Keep up with the reports. They are fun!

[Island Bri]

Again, thanks guys for all of the support!

I'm happy to report that I managed to stand up on my board within the second lesson! (We had a morning session, lunch, then afternoon) It took quite a few slams in the surf, but I finally got it!

Critiques from the instructor has been that I'm still not getting the hang of falling off the board properly (I agree, I've had more than my fair share of salt water intake) and to go out deeper in the water. I'll admit right now I'm a bit nervous to go out where I can't touch the ground (I'm 5'8" so that'll be out a little ways from the shore).

Drowning: Thanks so much! I fully plan to take advantage of as much surf as possible while I'm here. Hm, I hadn't thought of that one. I actually wasn't doing too much paddling out. We think it might be because of how I was holding my board (also aggravated by mighty windy conditions).

More surf tomorrow!

[Hang11]

Congratulations for arriving! I hope the weather is better in JAFAland than down on the South Island - miserable, raining, onshore slop all day

[libby]

Taupo Bay is my favourite EVER surf spot. Make the most of it because conditions there are perfect for learning and you wont find it as good many other places. In fact it was the first place i really started to pop up properly. There were loads of people out from the surf school when i was there, some of them screaming their heads off and annoying other people in the otherwise peaceful line up!

[flyingvee]

Post some pics so that us land-locked saddos' can be jealous voyeurs.....

[Luke]

Nice one, Bri!...looking forward to some pics.

Doing some stretches before, AND after you go in the sea really helps with the back strain.

Good luck learning...it can be frustrating at times, but stick with it, you'll have a blast!

[Island Bri]

Hang II - Actually it's been raining a ton up here. It tends to wane off during the day so we can actually surf, but the wind is still enough to rip the boards out of your hands if you're not careful. Although the weather's pretty dismal, at least the sun's not out to cause sunburn!

Libby - I can see, I love it! It's got good "beginner and intermediate waves." Some of the more advanced students can go out into the pockets of the medium sized waves towards the back of the sandbars and us new folk can stay with the clean white-water waves in the middle.

Flyingvee - As as I get home, I'll load some up. I'm taking some photos with my camera and also my instructor is as well (my camera only really likes portrait shots. It doesn't like wide-angle shots like on the ocean).

Luke - Thanks! And you are definitely right. My back and pectorals are really really sore this morning.

[garbarrage]

worked as a tree surgeon for years and had to give it up due to a recurring back injury. i found that when i was taking lessons, the instructor used to get us to do loads of practice pop ups on the beach before going out. found that these aggravated the lower back much more than popping up in the water maybe due to the lack of give from dry land.
pulled the intercordial (?) muscles early on (think thats the right name for them) the muscles over the ribs. really sore. 6ish weeks of pain when laughing sneezing moving suddenly.
can't stress the importance of stretching and warming up properly enough.

[Island Bri]

Very true. Sadly, we haven't done (or haven't been instructed to do) any stretching. We barely did any instruction to be honest. We're progressing a lot faster, but I think I'm picking up some bad habits along the way.

Morning Session Report:

My muscles are really really sore and my body's tired all over from yesterday. (We surfed about 4 hours) I tried a new board today since the one I was carrying yesterday was a bit too heavy for me. Unfortunately the one I had today was lighter, but I had a much harder time getting onto it. I stood up twice, but spent more time getting pommeled by waves.

About halfway through, I got my big toenail ripped in half - fun stuff! I've got two nice bruises on my right and left hip from the board hitting me and oodles of sore muscles.

I'm actually debating going back out for the afternoon session. I'm not feeling well and I'm concerned that my fatigue and injuries will lead me to be lazy and make mistakes. But I don't want to quit either (and I think my instructor would be more than happy to give me the "lazy American" speech if I do...)

[Hang11]

Learning is the hard bit.....gets loads easier once you can paddle out and get to your feet. Your're better off taking the pain and going for it - getting lots of time in the water in one go will get you there a lot quicker than if you go every now and again.