After living in a ski town for 8 years, one would think I had learned to never listen to forecasts….especially ones having to do with snow, surf etc. Of course, the predicted swell never materialized; instead I heard “You should have been here last week”. Despite the little baby waves, I had an awesome day. Possible the best surf day yet was because of the high quality instruction here at Las Olas women’s surf camp.

Today was my group’s private lesson day. Our camp is divided into three groups of four women. Every morning each group takes turns going out into the water with the instructors. Afternoons are free surf with feedback. This system works great! You get plenty of water time and lots of instruction. Throughout the week, every person receives a private lesson. Since the instructor-student ratio is already so low, I wasn’t sure if a private lesson would be any different. It was!!! Christy (an excellent instructor and 2005 long board world champion) taught me so much about reading waves, timing, and positioning. Even though the waves were muy poquito, I caught almost every one and rode them in all the way. I even tried some cross stepping (moving up and down the board to keep momentum)!!!! After today’s private lesson, I feel like I have a basic understanding of surfing and will be able to be out there by myself. I think I sort of know what’s going on. We’ll see when the waves get bigger. Supposedly the swell will be here tomorrow, and our group has a boat ride to a deserted beach with a bigger break. We might even see some whales there. Until tomorrow…......