Water is your Friend

On top of it at my first attempt

Do not underestimate the power of water, your life depends on it.
said a good friend of mine. Nothing washes the soul like being around water. That's why I like swimming (even though I'm not athlete good at it) and tried to take up new water sports this year. Surfing and Kayaking.

Earlier in Feb after getting back from Singapore I decided to go surf camp to pick up another skill possibly employable in acting.
Now for someone as high in dexterity as me this turned out to be a waste of money, however on the positive side there were some other things I learned.. mainly social dynamics.  
Follow the jump for the entry...

So I paid almost $400 for 2 nights dorm cabin accommodation in a trailer park with food that was like sausages and salad, oh also bus transport. The instructors were okay but they were actually just foreigners on a working visa, not saying they can't surf or teach or anything but the culture was very Caucasian and budgeted. The other surf campers were the same though, backpackers coming from Europe and Americas, all there for sun beach and drinking, during this icebreaker circle I felt quite weird not only being the only local but also not knowing how to surf. Being an Asian guy it is very awkward to socialise, I'm terrible at drinking alcohol and that just takes out half the fun of the night already not to mention my lack of anecdotes, for girls it is much less an issue. Can I learn anything for acting in these situations? I'll try, it has always been the case with me, back when I was in the 7th grade and went on this retreat for select disadvantaged kids (my school year adviser must have high standards), I also felt like the weakest link among the white kids who probably had real issues like divorced parents and struggling in school. That would have been eighteen years ago and nothing has changed in this multicultural dynamic.

ANYWAY so the first lesson on surfing was pretty much doing push ups and hopping on the board, really that's all there is to it and I managed to pull it off on my first attempt. I could have put that $400 towards an actual surfboard. But will have to wait till things warm up again. There is something about being in the sea that makes you think less about your problems and just focus on performing on the board. Although the sea was real easy at 7 mile, when you get far enough at the beach that fight or flee, survival instinct eases in and you feel like you are in control of your life. (Know your limits though don't go too far where it gets dangerous) 

Now, on my quest to interact more with water I also bought a Kayak 4 weeks ago, an inflatable one from a closing down sale at Liverpool markets for $65. A Waveline Hydroforce from bestway, came with an oar so I just needed to buy a life jacket an electric air pump to blow it up. So far I've taken it out to Chipping Norton and Wentworth point during the late afternoons so it does not get too hot and also I am kinda sun sensitive, so the alternative would be crack of dawn. The sunsets make everything beautiful and although I have spent more time just taking and filtering photos out there I have a great time. The best location so far would have to be the shipwreck off wentworth point, will have to go back there soon. 

I kayak alone, not exactly by choice but I kind of need the solitude even though I have my phone. After paddling and working the arms and getting a bit high on breath, it is so good to just lay your back down on the boat and stare at the sky, let the momentum of your paddling or whatever current there is drift you a bit and subconsciously know you are fending for yourself out here. Did not go out this weekend because of the cold and rain threatening weather, so hoping to go again soon.
Enjoy the pictures, note the skies may not be real and might just be stock sky filters from the Camera 360 app. Till my next entry, love and Sorries. 

J.