Post Surfin' Safari Blog: Questions

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

I learnt that digging a hole on the beach is EXTREMELY difficult. But if you use teamwork and get a good system going, your unstopable. You could also apply this in life.

(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?

As far as I could tell everyone handled themselves perfectly and it was a very enjoyable time. I felt pretty average, but like I say I do prefer land than the ocean. So yes it met my expectations perfectly.

(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?

Well I actually didn't pack any sea sickness remedies because I forgot. But I didn't need them anyway. Happy days! The surf wasn't to extreme so you could naturally stand up if you were tall enough so no dramas there. Their wasn't anyone that felt uncomfortable, as far as I could tell/see.

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

No. The only  "risk" was falling in thee abnormally large hole that we dug on the beach. When we first started it, it was three small holes. I fell head first in my hole. Not fun. Well it was for everyone else that could see my legs flailing everywhere. Happy days...

(e)  What did you do to limit or control the risk for you or others in that situation in Q.d above?

Ummmmm. Well. I don't think their were any risks. Well maybe the shovel hitting someone, but we had system so the shovel person was always in a position where people weren't. I guess that could be a "risk control" factor.

(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.

Moruya Camping ground. The red box indicates the 'Halloween Hole'.
http://www.moruya-airport-campground.com/

The highlight, as odd as it is, would probably be digging the damn hole! It was good fun.

yeh, it's sideways... the hole was about a metre and half deep.

Surfin' Safari: Pre Trip Questions

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

To be honest, I don't expect to learn very much because i believe that I have learned everything that I need to. But I guess I'll have to find out...

(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. 

I prefer being on the land so being out on the water isn't exactly my "style". So in saying that; I do prefer being in the shallower areas where my feat can touch the ground, but I don't mind not being able to touch the ground in open waters. I do, however, tend to get sea sick at deeper waters so that is extra incentive to stay more inland.

(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). 

This is a hard question because I do feel comfortable in the water until I get sick. So. In preparation for the trip I might pack some sea sickness remedies. My advice for other people, and possibly myself, would be to remain in areas where you can touch the bottom and to only go out deep if need be.

(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.

I believe that all comes down to knowledge or experience. If at any time that you uncomfortable or unsure of a particular circumstance that you are heading into, that could be an early warning as to the possibilities ahead of an accident.

(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?

I am certified First Aid, so I will be keeping an eagle eye on activities.

Snowboarding!

On this two day excursion to Perisher Blue, we encountered some pretty intense weather. The first day was mainly 'blizzard' conditions; with snow that would be better compared to hail and wind the "big bad wolf" would be proud of. All in all, the slopes were great with excellent powder, but poor visibility some parts of the day. Day two was almost the same, but by lunch time the sun came out which made for an absolutely brilliant day/afternoon. During the duration of the two days, my boarding was close to flawless; even though I did hit a tree going 'toe side' down a run. My fitness far exceeded the requirements for the excursion which in turn made me not sore after/during the camp. The differences from this camp from others, apart from the obvious location and weather, was the fact that we stayed in a Chalet instead of a tent. I also think that this camp was better than the Surfing or Snorkeling camps were that I did have to wear those bloody ridiculous wetsuits.

Me rockin' it!...With google images

This camp was exceptionally good due to the fact that my skills had improved immensely and it was great to see other people stack, instead of me.

Fishing Trip, Merimbula

This is Merimbula

The first day of this 2 day excursion started off slow; this was because some of the people arrived 45 minutes late. When we finally left at around 0930, I could tell that it was going to be a long and boring trip. Fortunately for me I was wrong. It was good fun listening to music and talking to my friends. We stopped at Cooma for a snack break at McDonalds. As always the food was fatty and disgusting but fulfilling, so it wasn’t so bad after all. Roughly 3 hours later we arrived at Manna Park, where stayed, and dumped off all unnecessary equipment/packs. From there we went into the lovely town of Merimbula and headed to Tathra Wharf. 

Tathra Wharf

The Wharf was beautiful and the sea was putting on spectacular display against the surrounding rock face. We unloaded the gear and were eager to get fishing ( well I was anyway ). The Best part of the trip was when I caught my first ever fish in all my life. Before that on other fishing trips I had never caught a fish, so this was by far the best part of the entire trip. Unfortunately that moment was short lived because for the rest of the camp I did catch another fish. But on a whole the entire trip was excellent... Apart from the beginning of day 2, which I will talk about later on. After the wharf we went back to Manna Park where we then had dinner and slept. The next day we had breakfast and headed down to the fishing charter boat where we would do some deep sea fishing. I was the first to throw up. It was really the first time I had PROPERLY gone out on a boat, so understandably I didn’t have my sea legs. The ironic thing about it is that I threw up more than what I caught fish. After we had all fed the fish we went back into the Sand Bar and hired out tiny’s until lunch. Again no one caught anything. After lunch we headed home. From this experience I found that fishing isn’t just about catching fish; it is being with mates and having a good time doing so.

Day 1,2,3 Old Mogo Town

The local Peacocks were very friendly...

This is the place where we stayed. I had been there before so I knew I was in for a treat. The Theme Park is really well detailed and styled, it really does feel like you've stepped into a time machine. The accommodation itself was small, but this was alright because we mainly spent our time outside exploring the Theme Park and walking trails.

Theme Park Chapel surrounded
by beautiful bushland

The surrounding bushland was very serene. It was relaxing to see the tall, old gum trees towering above us. Walking through on the walking tracks were doubly fun. From the previous rain, it gave a sought of 'mysterious' affect to the bushland. There were also little "rivers" flowing down from the mountain which we had to jump over in order to move ahead. The main thing we had to worry about were the gruesome leeches that enjoyed sucking the blood out of you ankles. Fortunately for me I came off unscathed, but for the others that were walking with me weren't so lucky... 






On the second day we were unable to go snorkeling due to the bad weather. But I took comfort because it was quite a site to admire the scenery.

Day 1, Dive 1 -- Guerilla Bay

This is Guerilla Bay; our first dive site. When we got there it was dark from rain  clouds and the sound was chopped up with rain drops. I could tell that it was bound to rain, I could smell it... and it did. Apart from the bad weather, the dive was actually alright. I saw various marine life such as fish and stingrays. The visibility was low, this was from the swell kicking up the sand. In order to see the bottom we had to dive down at least 4 meters to find nothing. This was unfortunate because it made the cold long dive almost all but nothing. The thing I detest most about diving would be taking off those cursed wet suits....
Although it was pretty funny when Dave didn't tie the 'diving flag' to himself properly and had to swim back and retrieve it...

Was the right gear taken, especially your gear?
Yes the right gear was taken for me, apart from the flippers which got mixed up but that was ok.

What was your input and participation in group activities?
My input to the welfare of camp was on the first night when Marci and myself cleaned up the cookout before we went to sleep since we were the last to head off.

What were you expectations that you had at the start of the trip?

i didnt have high expectations of the trip but fared alright.

What was the skill/s that you acquired during camp?

i learnt how to snorkel. duck dive and became more aware of reading the ocean.