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Lasses’ guide to surfing Surfing: not just for boys... Kate Smith writes... "I’ve just had the best summer of my life. All through my A level year, I’d been dreaming of learning to surf. Unfortunately none of my friends had the money or the motivation to join me, and I was nervous about heading to a surf spot all by myself. For one thing I was a complete beginner, and for another, as a girl, I was worried about safety issues. So I set my sister on the case as she had time on her hands whilst I was chained to my desk revising. She found a surf travel company called itime experience, and that’s where the plans began forming. 
I rang itime and was impressed to get through to the company’s director Mark Perry [pictured right: another good reason to take up surfing - ed]. He was friendly and enthusiastic and I immediately knew I had found the right company. I booked a four-week surfing course in the Dominican Republic, flying the day after my last exam - I was so stoked! Let’s cut to the chase. I arrived in the Dominican Republic and a private taxi man drove me to the surf camp. The whole island was incredibly beautiful: I was shocked and overwhelmed. I was also very nervous about arriving on my own and meeting new people. But Mark came through again and met me in the camp as soon as I arrived. He made me feel welcome and took me to the tepee-style dining area where everyone else was. A group called out to me as I walked in and I was quickly introduced to loads of people, ranging from 18-year-olds to 40-year-olds. After dinner we headed out. And then life kicked off in Cabarete! 
Wow, I partied so hard that night and continued to party for the entire month. We would often party ‘til 5am then get up at 6:30am for surfing. It was incredible!The partying was insane, but let’s get to the whole point of my trip: surfing. It was amazing. The conditions were really consistent, so perfect for learning. We surfed every morning at Encuentro beach. The white water waves were perfect for the beginner stage: they helped improve your surfing fitness, built up your confidence and allowed you to develop your skills before moving to the frightening place called ‘out back’. The swell out back varied from two to four feet. There were some crazy days when only the experienced guys went out, but these were few and far between so almost every day I managed to get out into the water. The equipment provided was good quality, with boards for every stage of learning, from 10 foot long boards to 5'8" short boards. The instruction was on a one-to-one basis in the beginning and later on a coaching basis. Because of the personal attention I progressed very quickly, much more so than the groups of 30 girls whom another company would ship in sporadically, who only had two instructors between them. itime clients definitely get the best deal at Encuentro. I loved surfing from my first day. I loved the speed and the freedom. The feeling of accelerating over water has to be experienced. It’s hard work though, and my body changed over the month: I got muscles in places I didn’t know existed. You learn quickly because every time you catch a wave it motivates you to paddle harder and pop up more quickly. Surfing also eases your mind: for me it’s definitely better than meditating. 
Because I surfed every day I met the local guys on the water and got to know them. I was invited to local parties, went out to dinner and was cooked Dominican food. It was amazing to be invited into two new cultures at once: the Dominican culture and the surfing culture. I feel so lucky to have experienced them both. And I can’t wait to get back there to surf again - hopefully next summer.Surfing is just mind-blowing. It’s a part of my life now, I already have my Christmas surf trip booked and I’m getting my first board for my birthday. If you have the smallest urge to do something like I did, get out there and do it. Be bold and brave because it could change your life - it’s definitely changed mine." 
Click here >> to find out more about the course Kate did Click here >> to see all courses with itime experience Call itime on 0845 344 7593 Click here >> for more female travel advice |
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