"Sri Lankans do not know how to enjoy the beach!" This is what my Finnish friend Maija Zitting said in 2015.
I asked her why. Then she questioned me, "Have you ever done surfing?" I said no, "hmm.." then she kept quit. At the time it was an absurd thought. We Sri Lankans do appreciate our beach, but once I had the experience of surfing only it hit me that waves are also an integral part of the beach.
Every Sri Lankan should experience this absolutely wonderful activity at least once. Once means many times; because, naturally, you WILL NOT STOP!
This is my story of surfing for the first time.
So I asked my Finnish friend to teach us surfing since she was in Sri Lanka for a good month. It was shameful really, because I had to learn something from a foreigner which is done is my own country. However, I was cautious because I cannot swim, yes I still can't. My wife was however is quite the swimmer so she was intrigued in the idea of surfing. Since I cannot go to hell alone, I invited two of my dearest friends to join with us on this adventure as well!
It was March 2015, we found accommodation at a quaters of one of my friends the night before. To experience the good waves you have to hit the beach at 7am. We got up early in the next morning had plantains(small bananas) for breakfast as our *coach* friend specified :)
We reached Weligama beach by 7 and hired the surfing boards from "Lucky Surfing". Lucky was a nice chap. It was only LKR 300/- per hour for one surf board.
Did some stretching at the beach and got on with it. It was very difficult getting on to the board, but after that it was such a wonderful experience.
The excitement, fear and freedom!
Lunch and back to the sea
Exhaustion & pampering at Galle Fort
We did not forget to have a drink or two after a exhausting day at Dutch Hospital, Galle Fort.
These didgiridoo players were icing on cake!
What a day it was...
I asked her why. Then she questioned me, "Have you ever done surfing?" I said no, "hmm.." then she kept quit. At the time it was an absurd thought. We Sri Lankans do appreciate our beach, but once I had the experience of surfing only it hit me that waves are also an integral part of the beach.
Every Sri Lankan should experience this absolutely wonderful activity at least once. Once means many times; because, naturally, you WILL NOT STOP!
This is my story of surfing for the first time.
So I asked my Finnish friend to teach us surfing since she was in Sri Lanka for a good month. It was shameful really, because I had to learn something from a foreigner which is done is my own country. However, I was cautious because I cannot swim, yes I still can't. My wife was however is quite the swimmer so she was intrigued in the idea of surfing. Since I cannot go to hell alone, I invited two of my dearest friends to join with us on this adventure as well!
We reached Weligama beach by 7 and hired the surfing boards from "Lucky Surfing". Lucky was a nice chap. It was only LKR 300/- per hour for one surf board.
The excitement, fear and freedom!
Lunch and back to the sea
Exhaustion & pampering at Galle Fort
We did not forget to have a drink or two after a exhausting day at Dutch Hospital, Galle Fort.
These didgiridoo players were icing on cake!
What a day it was...
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