Post Camp Surf Safari Blog

(a)   What did you to learn about on the surfing safari excursion besides Surfing? And was it beneficial to you or anyone else?

What I learnt on the Surf Safari, was not only surfing techniques, but also camping techniques, weather patterns, and the dangers of the sea, as well as resucitation and safety emergencies.

(b)  Before you went you wrote in your pre trip blog about how you feel when you are in the shallows, in the green water just beyond the breakers and out where you can’t stand up or see the bottom. Who did handle it, when you were out there beyond the breakers? How did you feel and did it match your expectation?

When we were out past the break water, I felt more comfortable then I did when we were in the shallows. I felt this way because I did not enjoy being in the water where the water/waves break. I felt unsafe in this area, and didn't like being near the rips, which could drag me out. I liked being out past the breakers, because it was calm and relaxing, compared to in the break zone.

(c)  Did your prevention strategy mentioned in pre-trip blog #(c) work? If you didn’t have a pre-trip strategy because you feel comfortable in the ocean all the time, then how did you handle Binge Point? And what did you do to make your friends who aren’t as comfortable as you feel better about dealing with that surf on that day?

I did not handle Binge Point because I did not surf there, I didn't feel that the water was very safe, so I sat out to watch. To help make my friends feel comfortable in the water, by sticking by them and lending out a hand if they needed help getting back on their board, etc. I talked about each surf experience with them at the end of the day, which helped as a kind of debrief.

(d)  Did you feel like you were taking TOO much risk in this surfing activity at any time? Explain in detail.

No, I did not feel too uncomfortable during this surfing activity - I felt as if I could handle the surf well enough, and I got out of the water when I felt like I was too exhausted to keep up the steady space during surfing.

(f)    What was your highlight of the trip explain why with photos and sentences or video. Your highlight must also include a link to a web page, picture or map.

I did not have a particular highlight of this camp, because I felt like every moment on the camp was a particularly enjoyable one. Particular good moments of the camp though, that I found really enjoyable, was: when we built the massive hole for over 3 hours; the surfing in the morning; the sunbaking and calm water swim/cricket at Broulee South Beach; deep and meaningful conversations with the group around the camp fire; as well as the sing alongs around the camp fire to Jason playing the Ukehele.

Surf Safari Pre Trip Blog

Surf PRE trip

(a)  What do you expect to learn on your next excursion besides Surfing on the Surfin Safari?

I expect to learn some very important surfing schools, the correct way to paddle out, and how to identify rips and unsafe waters, and how to surf to the best of my ability.

 

(b)  Some people feel more comfortable than others about swimming and surfing in the ocean. Write about how you feel when you are in the shallows; Then how in the deeper water just beyond the breakers and out where you can’t stand up or see the bottom. 

 Growing up on the coast has allowed me to get comfortable in the water; usually I feel more comfortable able to stand up in the shallows, however, when it comes to the deeper water and past the breakers, I can sometimes get a little uncomfortable, as I can't touch the bottom, and the water is sometimes extremely dark, which can, at times, get me slighly nervous. But mostly, I feel relatively comfortable in the water. 

 

(c)  If you feel uncomfortable about these thoughts in the previous question, then what can you do between now and the time we leave to make you feel better about those situations that you could find yourself in. If you feel comfortable in the ocean all the time, how can you make your friends on our Surfin Safari next term who aren’t as comfortable as you feel better about it?(you will be asked in the post blog after the excursion to explain if your strategies for making them better worked or not). 

Between now and the trip, I can swim more reguarly, and practise the different strokes as well as practise treading water to get my skills up.  I can help feel my friends comfortable in the water, by providing them with words of support, and lending out a helping hand if they need it. 

 

(d)  How do you know when you are taking TOO much risk on an adventure activity (this is before an incident or accident)? Explain in detail.

 Usually, I get a strong gut feeling before an ancident happens, or I start to feel unquesy if I feel as if something bad might happen; I get all nervous and start stressing; this is when I know that I'm taking too much risk. 

 

(e)  In the Surfing excursion next term what are you doing if anything, to limit or control risk for you or others on that excursion?

If I start to feel nervous or as if something is about to go wrong, I plan on getting out of the water or returning closer to shore, to prevent anything wrong from happening, just acting precautious and such, and watching my surroundings.

Dive 1 Questions

We only did one dive. The correct gear was taken and used.

My input and participation in group activities was that I helped clean the cook out once dinner was done, I helped clean the snorkelling gear when we finished our last dive and i participated very well in the group activities.

My highlight was that even though the weather was extremely poor, we still managed to do a couple of dives and have a go at a new experience.

My expectations of the trip was snorkelling all day, every day, and that the water would be clear and that we would be able to see lots of under water animals and creatures.

There was one problem, the weather made things hard to see and do. Heavy rain and cloud made it a less enjoyable dive, but it was still worthwhile.

Overall, it was a great first dive.

Dive One

rst Dive: Guerilla Bay, NSW