” I hadn’t surfed much before “
The first time I joined a Ticket To Ride trip I was pretty nervous. I hadn’t surfed much before, and like many people, there were doubts that I had done the right thing. Once I arrived in South Africa, pretty much any doubt disappeared. The team were super welcoming, the weather was great and African Soul Surfer in Muizenburg (Accommodation in Cape Town) was a perfect starting point to integrate into the surfing lifestyle.
” Trip of a lifetime “
Over the next 13 weeks I had the trip of a lifetime. I made amazing friends and had experiences that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I bungee jumped the highest jump in the world, skydived, helped with some rewarding work within communities, and experienced so many new things, all the while learning to surf under the guidance of some incredible coaches. I went from pretty much a complete beginner to a competent, confident surfer and a qualified surf instructor. I had, and still have a crazy amount of stories to tell from my first time in South Africa.
” Second trip to South Africa with ticket to ride “
A year had passed since my first trip with ticket to ride and I was looking to get away again over winter. I had been working and saving up that year to get some sun again. A few people I knew had decided to book onto the South African trip and were trying to convince me to join them, though to be honest, it didn’t take much convincing. The timing was right, and there was no way I would want to see their pictures on social media without seeing myself there with them. With that in mind, I decided to Join my second trip to South Africa with ticket to ride.
Again, I wondered if I had done the right thing, but now I know that it was one of the best decisions I ever made. One thing you sometimes forget, or fail to realise when on a trip like this, is all of the extra things you will gain, like friendships and connections you would have otherwise never have had the chance to make. The second trip was a much bigger group, and so had a completely different dynamic. Like the first, I made some incredible friends, and it was such an amazing thing to be able to experience the trip with a whole new group of people. I was able to relax, knowing what was coming next, and concentrate on my surfing. Stops like JBay allowed me to improve beyond my own expectations. The group grew extremely close over the 10/13 weeks and I honestly could not have asked for a better bunch of people to travel the South African coast with for a second time. This time I decided I would use my qualifications and give instructing a go.
I moved to Newquay, got a job, and had the best summer of my life. A few years before I had never imagined I would be a surf instructor, but currently, as it stands, I can’t see myself doing anything else.
” Third time round with Ticket To Ride “
As I write this, I am sat in
Anstey’s Beach Backpackers, the in Durban, on my third time round with Ticket To Ride. This time though, I am working. As expected, I am having a pretty different trip in comparison to the last two due to the fact that I also have to work while having the time of my life. To be honest though, I’m loving it. I like the idea of trying to exceed other people’s expectations of the trip, and to help give everyone who has booked on an incredible time here in South Africa. If they can get back home and feel a similar way to how I felt about my first time here, or even half of that feeling, then I’ll be happy knowing that I have at least added something to that experience.
I still get to surf in my free time, and get to join in on all the amazing activities on the trip. We have an awesome group out here and everyone has settled in nicely. We wanted to make sure that everyone felt welcome, comfortable and excited as soon as they arrived and I’m certain that we have been successful.
” best possible experience “
I feel extremely lucky to have been asked to help out here in South Africa and have learned how much Ticket To Ride care about giving people the best possible experience they could gain from a trip like this. The comfort in knowing that all your accommodation, travel and surf coaching is already arranged for you means that you are able to relax and take in everything that South Africa has to offer without stress or discomfort.
Every time I come back to South Africa I treat it like its the last time I’ll be here, and try to gain as much from it as possible, but Ticket To Ride keep bringing me back. Not that I’m complaining…
Here are some pics of my previous and current trip.