Hard to believe after 30 some years of windsurfing all over the world I never went just "surfing". Recently in Australia I find myself without windsurf gear - on the ocean with wind and nothing to do south of Melbourne near what they call the surf coast.
So I decided to try just surfing,.
I was amazed at how simple this sport is - well.. equipment wise - just pull on a wet suit, strap on the leg strap and hit the water.
Equipment wise this is so simple - one of the pure sports I suppose, pretty different than rigging a sail and always hauling gear, etc.
Surfing however takes some work. There are some things years of sailing and surfing waves make familiar, and then there are a lot of things that are not.
Paddle paddle paddle, push up, then stand up and oh yea - don't loose your balance - there is no sail to recover with.
The water was a refreshing 12C - so not a normal day in bath water - but the cold was offset by fun, spills, and of course paddle paddle paddle.
I think if there is no wind I will try this again
Windsurfing has been a central part of my happiness for over 30 years. (Matt and Sam with Dad).
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