Before arriving in Australia, I had this naiveness when imagining surfing, surfers, and the entire surf lifestyle that seemed glorified over unda. I imagined a stereotypical Aussie being a natural-born surfer who was practically glued to being in the ocean. I pictured the “Aussie surfer” as someone almost born with a surfboard, spending their days effortlessly riding waves as naturally as walking. For me, it was something I only saw photos and videos of in films, online, or from other people sharing stories.
After living in Australia for a couple of months, it was a goal of mine to get out there and experience what it’s like to catch some waves. Thankfully, studying abroad with TEAN opened me up to the possibility of surfing for the first time. After my first time, I finally understood what it takes to be a surfer, and my overall appreciation for the surfing culture grew incredibly strong. I knew I had to engage myself even more and dive deeper!
I always enjoy going to different beaches and watching the surfers in action. From atop Burleigh Hill, you get a perfect view of the surfers, waves, and the city skyline.Australia’s beaches are iconic, with breaks and waves that attract people worldwide, and they are painted with a picture-perfect, postcard-worthy view. When I finally held onto a surfboard myself, it was clear why so many dedicate their lives to this sport. Surfing is a physically demanding activity, but it’s also mental and spiritual. You’re constantly challenged by the ocean, learning to read its movements and respect its power.
After wiping out countless times, I knew you don’t conquer waves; you work with them. It makes one appreciate the many surfers that go out at all different times of the day and make it look effortless. Knowing the amount of effort they are putting in is critical to embracing and respecting the surf culture, especially here on the Gold Coast.
It is a simple pleasure to always see the beaches filled with surfboards, waiting for their owners to take them out into the ocean to catch the perfect wave.My first surf lesson was a reality check. I went into it with optimism, thinking I’d be able to catch a wave or two with some instruction. But what followed was a series of wipeouts, constant paddling, and saltwater stinging my eyes. Staying balanced while paddling felt like trying to stand on a rolling log, and getting into position for a wave was more complicated than I ever imagined. By the end, I was exhausted but had a newfound respect for the athleticism it takes to stay on the board.
Despite the initial struggle, I felt an adrenaline rush every time I got close to standing up. Those brief seconds of balance showed me that surfing is an art, demanding skill, patience, and adaptability. Watching seasoned surfers easily handle the waves made me realize how much practice goes into making it look effortless. Try after try, I suddenly got the hang of it and started to gain gratitude for moving quickly and standing up on the board as the wave pushed behind me. When standing up on the board, time freezes, and you are just enjoying the moment.
My surf class from Bond University is getting ready to take on the swell! This was before us being all exhausted from the strong waves.
My friends from TEAN and my uni are super excited to get into the water and try to surf some waves! Hang loose and have fun!While studying at Bond University, I took a course, “Gold Coast Surf, Culture, & Storytelling,” which I am a part of. We were also allowed to have a surf lesson at Burleigh. This time was far more challenging than the first, for we were susceptible to four-foot surf and limited space because the class size was larger. I got more beat up by the waves, but because I lacked a teacher directly helping me, it helped me improve my connection with the ocean. I started to learn the ways of the waves and practiced timing when to try to catch the waves rather than needing guidance.
Our surf instructor took this after our private lesson, where we both shredded some gnarly waves. The smiles illustrate how well we did despite the day’s harsh conditions.After a short holiday, I returned to the Gold Coast, and the first thing I had planned was a private surf lesson with one other friend from TEAN. We were battling the tricky currents and strong winds that day, but the wave conditions were pristine for beginners. Surprisingly, I surfed as if I had been surfing for quite a while now, even impressing the guide. There wasn’t a time when I was surfing the white water that I did not stand up.
With my improved skills, I focused on refining my turns—dropping to one knee, leaning into the curve, and standing again, building my confidence and balance. Shockingly again, I could do so, and for the first time, I could proudly say I knew how to surf. It was something I never thought I’d accomplish, and yet, here I was, riding waves in Australia, part of a culture I had only once admired from afar.
Levi McCollum, Eckerd College, is studying in the Gold Coast, Australia, with TEAN.
