re Sports

May 2004

 

e/y +

     
 
   

F Miley
Bports Editor

Colin Miley | hagbard @telus.net

Summer Fun On
A Student’s Budget

 

   
   
   
  
   
  
  
 
  
   
    
  
   
  
   
   
   
  
   
   
    
  
  
   
   
    
  
     

‘Unlike Will Rogers, I cannot honestly
ay I've never met a man I didnt like.
But certainly I have never met a surfer
didn’t like.”

‘erry Thornley, Discordian Society Co-
ounder, Author, and General Rabble-

ouser

Welcome to the first in a summer
eries of outdoor adventures for stu-
ents seeking unique experiences.
While having a nervous breakdown
early April, I made myself a prom-
to do something new, exciting,
d worthwhile this summer. To that
nd, I’ve been searching for cool ways
o spend a few of the dog days this
ear. And I’m going to share them
ith all of you, free of charge. First
p: learn to surf.

If you're anything like me, you've
kely been harbouring a nagging wish
st of things youd like to do in this
fetime. You know, see Tibet, kick
ordon Campbell square in the junk,
xchange a solemn vow with a person
pr whom you have a genuine affec-
on, streak a major televised sporting
ent—that’s merely a sampler from
y list. I’m sure you've got a perfect-
good list of your own.

For years now, learning to surf has
een right at the top of my personal
o do” list. I most definitely concur
ith Mr. Thornley’s astute observa-
on about surfers. It seems to me that

sc

 

the more surfers I meet, the more I
want to learn to surf. Actually, I want
more than simply learning to surf. I
want to sleep beside the waves. I want
to have my meals cooked for me. I
also want to operate a kite-powered
buggy on a sweeping Tofino beach.
Actually, I added the part about the
buggy after I learned about Pacific
Surf Camps, presented by O'Neill.
My only two concerns regarding
this adventure are of the all-too-com-
mon variety—time and money. More
concisely, I’m worried a lack of both.
Now that May is upon us, I have to
try to earn enough money to keep
myself plush in phat textbooks and
superfly Raman noodles all next year.
That means working this summer
while still taking at least three cours-
es. How am I going to find the time

‘and resources to learn to surf? Damn,

I knew it all sounded too good to be
true. When searching for a fun way to
learn to surf, I therefore set the fol-
lowing two parameters: four days or
less, and under $500.

Pacific Surf Camps offer a three-
day, all-inclusive getaway, complete
with surf lessons, transportation, and
campfire coffee. According to the
brochure, the camps are “designed to
get beginners standing on their first
waves and give visitors an insight
into Tofino’s beach culture.” The
price for the all-inclusive weekend

is $499 + GST.

The cost seems fairly reasonable
when you consider that it includes
transportation, ferry costs, camp
costs, meals (when not travelling),
surf lessons and gear. In addition to
learning proper technique, surf eti-
quette and water safety, the camp also
offers power-kiting with beach bug-
gies and boards to fill your time when
not in the water. Power-kiting basical-
ly consists of using a kite to propel a
motor-less buggy (on the beach) or
wake board (in the water).

Campers stay at the Bella Pacifica
Campground, a few steps from
Tofino’s MacKenzie
M*A*S*H-style tents with cots and
heaters allow campers to sleep beside
the ocean, while maintaining a few
basic creature comforts. Lessons are
provided each morning; while the
afternoons are open to explore
Tofino, learn to power-kite, or play
beach volleyball.

Pacific Surf Camps departs from

Beach.

  

 

Photo by Jeremy Koreski

Pacific Central train station in down-
town Vancouver (Main St. and
Terminal Ave.) at 5:30 am on the first
day. From there, it’s on to Horseshoe
Bay Ferry Terminal, and then across
to Vancouver Island. Once on the
island, you are taken through scenic
forested roads for three hours before
arriving in Tofino at mid-day. It’s a lot
of travel for a three-day weekend, but
that seems like a minor drawback
compared to learning to surf. I figure
I can probably sleep for the bulk of
the drive.

The $500 is right at the top of my
budget, but hey, it’s May now, and
my student loan should be arriving
any day now. Only one question
remains: Who's coming with me?

You can email tanya@traxxx.com to
reserve your spot with a 50 percent
non-refundable deposit. Alternative-
ly, you can call 1.888.253.7696
with a brief message and your phone
number. A really cool surfer will call
you back.

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