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Pacific Islands Table of Contents
John Pegril, a Honolulu firefighter, says, "Surfing is more than learning to shred, carve a cut back or pull into a tube." John is one of the owners of Hawaiian Fire Surf School, a surfing school on Oahu, that promises to get you surfing in your first hour-and-a-quarter lesson. That's right, get you up on the board. No not on your knees but standing on the board, at least once during your first lesson. Surfing is akin to water skiing in that you carve your turns in both sports. Carving a cut back is where you make close to a 180 degreee turn and make it look easy. A tube, also called a barrel, is a wave that is basically hollow where it is breaking. Fire Surf offers instruction for those who are truly interested. The instructors have chosen secluded Kalaeloa Beach at Barbers Point on the extreme southwest tip of Oahu as their surfing venue. Fire Surf looks after everything. They will pick you up in Waikiki in a van and take you to Kalaeloa Beach, which faces a barrier reef about a mile offshore. Consequently the surf here is gentle, about knee high to chest high and is ideal for those who are trying to stand on their boards for the first time. You can bet that the Fire Surf School, being run by firefighters and all, is big on safety. Once your van has arrived at Kalaeloa Beach and the Gazebo has been set up, there is a 45 minute safety and technique lesson in pleasant shade while balmy breezes wash ashore. Then it is time to grab your ultra-safe soft foam-rubber surfboard known as foamies and venture out into the surf. You don't have to worry about getting coral cuts for you will be wearing surf shoes supplied by the school as well as rash guards and a surfers shirt. Make sure you have lots of sunblock on the back of your neck and on the back of your legs. Assuming that I have managed to talk you into giving surfing a try, it is time for you to prepare to stand on your own two feet while riding the waves. The day before make sure that you minimize exposure to the sun. The morning of the excursion put on SP30 sunblock. You'll need a hat to keep the sun out of your eyes and a pair of sunglasses. Go To Page: 1 2 |
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