All Australians can surf; except for me. We did surfing lessons at Carlsbad, CA on saturday. The surf instructors were mainly servicing the Four Seasons group, but they allowed me and a mate to jum p in and take part. By the end of the two hours I was happily catching waves with a decent probability of success.

I carry an unfortunate physical similarity to Peter Garret in that picture. Being tall, lanky and bald will do that I guess. It was physically tough, especially as a beginner you get thrown around a lot by the waves. But it was a gentle swell, even so, I was the only one who went the full two hours, the rest got tired or had enough after about an hour or so.

My mate was kind enough to stand on the shore and take some action photography which largely consisted of me biting it.

Great fun. Not much chance of taking up surfing in Phoenix, desert cities are tough for that kind of thing.

More: Photos of Carlsbad.
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Cam Riley: South Sea Republic. Freedom, liberty, equity and an Australian Republic.