Hi Guys,

Let me just start by saying this is a very informative forum you guys have here with some pretty helpful posters.

I found it while doing some research, as a mate and I have been tossing the idea around of learning to surf for a while and have decided to finally take the plunge, so to speak.

Now, neither of us are what you would call "petite" (90 - 100kg), and from what I can gather from posts here, and the the internet in general, is that we're going to have break out the long stuff to learn (neither of us have as much as paddled in on a board before).

We live in Melbourne, and even as a complete noob, I can tell from pictures I've seen of surfing that the bay does NOT seem like the ideal place to kick off the experience. :)

I was wondering if there were perhaps any VIC posters here that could tell me where we could go for a weekend trip to give it a full go, without getting in the way of blokes trying to ride decent stuff. We certainly don't need any kind of big waves, just enough to get going, and I'd like to at least spend a good while trying. I'm pretty stoked about having a crack.

The reason I ask is that I don't want to book a place somewhere and through sheer lack of experience end up having my tires slashed / parking lot brawl / etc etc etc. (yeah, I found some "surf rage" articles too in my quest for knowledge, and from what I can tell we'd be ticking all the boxes :D)

In all fairness, the articles seem a bit exaggerated, and most of it seemed to be happening in the states, so I doubt it would get to that, but we'd still like to get some decent time in the water without wasting waves that other guys could actually ride.

Any ideas would be appreciated!

if you want carp go look in a river.

with the attitude you seem to have, i don't think you'd have a problem no matter where you decided to head to.

try anywhere that seems to have whitewater running some distance and stay away from the experienced crowds (surfing tends to be the domain of egotistical morons), but not so far away as to be unnoticed should you get into trouble (the surfing paradox being, if you pose no threat the hierachy should take you under their wing and take notice should things go sour for you)

when learning, even at 100+ kgs whitewater will be your best friend.

don't get out of your depth too soon, and if you choose the right equipment (for example long boards, nice and wide and duly thick, you guys will have a blast learning and riding broken whitewater waves, even if you don't get to your feet in your first session.

Go to Tasmania.

I just got back from there and the east coast is absolutely amazing. Hardly anyone lives there, If I had a dollar for every sacred unridden wave I saw while I was there for the past 6 days I would be pretty close to retiring.

Get yourself a cheap flight to Launceston, then hire a car and a board down Bicheno and surf your self stupid. Alternatively, get on the ferry with your car and boards.

I stayed a few days at Eaglehawk Neck, in the Lufra Hotel - built by Sir Reginal Anset in the late 40s overlooking Pirate Bay. The hotel is a lot like faulty towers nowadays, don't make the mistake of eating there, but the views are well worth the $160 per night. After spending NYE there we went on to Coles Bay - the scenery there is to die for. Waves galore on the white sands and turquoese clear crisp water at Friendly Beaches.

I haven't even talked about the magnificent seafood that you get to eat each night. I haven't had seafood like that in Australia since the 70s when holidaying with my folks. I'm definitely heading there again next summer. After coming back I feel like jumping on my roof and yelling out from my rooftop how good it was.

Otherwise, wait till February and head down to any of the usual haunts somewhere in Vic.

Ahh McSandy, smart man, join a forum, get to know the locals!

I am the 'mate' McSandy's referring to - Good call on Tassy, I've been there a few times, the place is an unpopulated treasure. Keep the suggestions coming. In the meantime we'll look into the east coast of Tassy - We can hit the 'spirit of Tassy' there with the car. If we're lucky they might let us throw a tube behind the ship as we go through bass strait.

Thanks for the advice though. I was obviously a bit misguided in thinking we should get a gang name like 'daggers' wear colors and get into fistycuffs with locals, but that might just be me watching 'Thrashing' one time too often while growing up!
[}:)]

Ps. McSandy, I think to safeguard both our tyres we can ask Lachy for a lift to surf spots! lol.

go windsurfing you know u want too