I am very much of the opinion that you only get once chance at life. It’s often shorter than you think, and you should absolutely grasp every opportunity you get to see new places, and try new things… Whatever or wherever it is, it might be the best thing you have ever seen/done after all, and I always try to instil this into my brood wherever we are in the world…
Obviously at the moment, the smallest member of our family needs close supervision, which means I am usually the onlooker/cheerleader for the rest of the group when they are trying something he can’t quite manage yet. Which, by the way, if you count things like skiing and paragliding, I am quite secretly glad about (although Mr R is determined to get the baby on a pair of skis at the age of two so my excuses are quickly running out!). When it comes to surfing though, I have to say I was slightly envious of the rest of my family as it’s something I have always fancied having a go at (believe it or not) ( -that comment was for family members mostly)…
The Small Boy has wanted to give surfing a go for months now, in fact I did enquire about it for his birthday when we were in Norfolk back in March, but the surf school I spoke to there weren’t all that happy about braving the icy waters at that time of year (they obviously haven’t been brought up swimming in icy lakes in Bavaria!), so when we booked a few days in Cornwall, I quickly made sure that surfing would be a definite possibility… I did a bit of research, found a company I liked, and booked them all a two-hour lesson with George’s Surf School on Polzeath Beach. George has a great reputation for providing fun and friendly surfing tuition for all levels…
In my head I had it all planned out, they would surf and the Small Baby and I would happily look on. I would take plenty of pics, whilst buildings sand castles with the baby, and of course it would be a lovely warm and sunny day…
Fast forward to the day itself, and you could barely see the sea from the car it was so misty. The Small Baby was obviously on the verge of erupting into his very odd rash, and was about as happy to be on the beach as someone with terrible teeth is going to the dentist, and the Small Boy was moaning about having to put on a slightly damp wet suit. I will admit to wondering whether this idea was a good one at that exact moment in time…
Having managed to placate the smallest grumpy one with frequent close inspection trips to the RNLI truck on the beach, and having half successfully blackmailed him with a new football, I did manage to take a few shots of my crew and their misty lesson, but sadly I wasn’t able to get close enough to get some true action shots as I was busy juggling a miserable toddler (who for some bizarre reason wanted to hold my camera by the lens itself whilst shouting “help”, “help”which he does when he wants to try to assist you with something!), and trying to keep hold of the ball that he now couldn’t care less about (it was windy too!), AND keep track of all the other necessary paraphernalia that you need to take a toddler to the beach for a couple of hours…
All the while I was worrying about how the rest of the gang were getting on, and whether they were enjoying themselves. Had I just thrown away money for something they all absolutely hated??
Thankfully, I think these faces said it all…
I did somehow manage to capture the end of the lesson for eternity, and saw them put their new found skills into action… I couldn’t believe they could actually stand up (don’t tell them that!) having never done it before (although Mr R can windsurf so he had an unfair advantage)… All of them wanted to go straight back out into the sea at the end of their lesson, and raved about their teachers Ed and CJ. It must be so nice to have a job that lets you pass on the skills of something you are so utterly passionate about! Thanks George and gang for the true surfing education, we will definitely see you next time we visit Polzeath, and maybe it will be me surfing next time, you never know!…
George’s Surf School, Polzeath Beach, Wadebridge, Cornwall, PL27 6TB – 01208 479006
*not a sponsored post, we just like to give credit where it’s due…
Mari says
Oh we had such a lovely time at Polzeath. I was amazed at how far the sea goes out with the tide. I would love the girls to try surfing, I shall look for something in Thanet this summer.
Emma says
Oh you must Mari, they would LOVE it! :) x
Aly says
What a brilliant day for the older kids.I hope little bub is feeling better.
Emma says
Thank you, they all (including my biggest kid!) had a great day! Rash didn’t last long on the baby thankfully! :)
Trish @ Mum's Gone To says
Wow you can really see the exhilaration on their faces! What an experience! I remember body boarding of a fashion when I was little on holiday in Cornwall. The boards were wooden and the distance was only short as I was quite timid, but it was great fun. Never done it since which is a shame really. x
Emma says
Well here’s the perfect surf school for you both!! It is the new thing for people of our kind of age group to take up apparently!! :D x
Penny Carr says
Wow – that looks amazing. Surfing is one of those things that I’ve always wanted to have a go at. Although knowing my sense of balance I’m guessing I may be pretty rubbish. But still! It’s the taking part that counts, right?
Emma says
It’s definitely the taking part that counts! Thanks Penny! :)
Jumble Tree says
Lovely last photo, that is a happy face! Think if you want to surf in this country you have to ignore the weather.. Such a great spot to learn, and somewhere I know well – used to work in the hotel at the top of the hill a very, very long time ago! Quite a few of the guys I worked with surfed, and got up before their breakfast shifts to catch a few waves… never joined them, way too early and cold for me. But they were so passionate about it, and it must be amazing to teach when you feel like that. I know my boys would love it – you’ve made me think I should look into courses, maybe on the Gower, which isn’t too far from us xx
Emma says
How funny T, what a fabulous place to live and work! I hope you manage to join in on a course too! xx
pinkoddy says
You know it wasn’t until I read this that I realised that I haven’t actually surfed because I was looking after the youngest! Cornwall is such a great place to go to learn though isn’t it. Your lot did well standing up first lesson – I am not sure I could even manage to make the leap to the box without falling off.
Emma says
I don’t actually think I could do it either Joy, but don’t tell them!! Thank you! :D x
Michelle Twin Mum says
How fab, very cool that they could stand up the first time going in. My kids have never tried, I probably ought to fix that! Mich x
Emma says
It was all down to their fab teachers I think! Thanks Michelle! :)
Jen Walshaw says
My two are wanting to do surfing and there is a surf school where we live so I might think about it for the summer holidays. Kids do not feel the cold!
Emma says
Book them in. You are right, they aren’t bothered about the cold at all! :D
Nikki Thomas says
Wow that looks amazing! We only introduced our kids to body boarding last summer and they loved it so much, they are now desperate to have a go at surfing. Sadly we aren’t anywhere near the sea so it will have to be the summer holidays but it is true that surf instructors are always very happy, they must love what they do.
Emma says
Body boarding is on the list too! :D Thanks Nikki!
Gretta - Mums do travel says
Sound great – I really hope that you get a chance to have a go yourself next time!
Emma says
Me too! :D Thanks Gretta! :)
Kara says
Kian did surfing lessons for his birthday a few years ago but not sure he got to standing up but loved it. Isaac is doing windsurfing with school now. Well done to your young man
Emma says
Thanks Kara! They all had such a fun time! :)
Victoria says
Sounds hilarious oh and I believe you!!xx
Emma says
I was probably more exhausted than they were after their surfing lesson! :D Thanks xx
Debbie Roberts says
Hi Emma, the weather does look pretty miserable, but growing up in the UK we know we can’t let the weather dictate our fun! I’m glad the surf lesson wasn’t money down the drain and fingers crossed you get your chance to have a go very, very soon… I love the photo of the little one wearing his backpack as he inspected the seaweed. Very cute.
xx
Emma says
We try not to let it stop us from doing anything :D Thanks Debbie! :) x