The Bucks Stops Here (Part 1)

My brother had been planning my buck's night for awhile now, keeping it a secret and flashing his silly grin whenever I tried to worm out of him what he had in store for me. All he had to say was that it would be 'epic', and I am always worried whenever my brother says that, because:

1) It may not be epic.

2) It may turn out epic, but in a bad way.

We got up bright and early Saturday morning and convened at his house in Royal Parade. There were nine of us - Ciaran, Anthony, Jonathan, Wai Hong, Haw Chuan, Ben, Juwen, my brother and myself. 

Pleased to meet you. Prepare to be hurt. 

After a round of quick introductions, we hopped into three cars and made our way to Torquay where our day was about to begin.

Activity One: Surfin' In The AUS

We made it to Torquay about ten minutes late, and we walked into the surf shop and quickly paid for our lessons before heading off to the beach. 

Smiling, because ignorance of the impending pain is bliss. 

The beach was a fifteen minute drive away, and we got lost on the way, which made us even later. Our two instructors were not pleased about this, and one kept barking at us to quickly get changed and pick up our surfboards while the other one was nicer, and kept away all our car keys. 

We were shown the basics of surfing by having some mock exercises on the beach - the nicer guy made us form a circle and then showed us all the nuances of surfing - 

1) First, grab the sides of the surfboard - the "rails" - when you see the white waves about a sufboard's length away from you

2) Then paddle really, really hard as if you were being attacked by sharks

3) When the wave hits you, clamber up on your knees while keeping your hands touching the deck of the surfboard

4) Put your right or left leg through your hands

5) Stand up with one foot in front of the other

6) Maintain your balance

7) Congratulations, you are officially surfing

There were some of us who were naturals at this - Juwen was riding the waves on his first attempt while Ciaran was obviously a beast at surfing and tackled the waves with ease.

All of us had some measure of success. All, except for one. 

Guess which one. 

Well, let's just say that after two hours of toil and a repeat demonstration on the beach by the nicer instructor, I managed to get to step 5) for all of one second before falling butt-first into the sea. 

It was the best one second I've ever had on a surf-board.

I was this guy for all of one second.

My brother, who's usually quite nice, looked at me and even he conceded 'You, and balance, you're not really friends, are you?'

'Friends? We're not even acquaintances!'

Two hours later, drained by the cold water, battling the waves and repeated butt-falling, we walked out of the sea, exhausted but exhilarated from trying our hands (and butts) at surfing. It was a first for many of us, we walked out with surfboards in hand, feeling like real men, having conquered the waves.

All, except for one.

Guess which one.