Hi everyone! This morning we woke up to lots of rain! Lennox Head is expected to receive more rain in the next few days than they do over the course of three months. However the rain did not put a damper on any of the expected activities for the day. The day started with a surf lesson with Mojo Surf.

The most difficult part about surfing was putting on the wet suits. You would think that because we were the first lesson of the day the suits would be dry and easy to put on. This was not the case. The suits were pretty wet and extremely difficult to put on. Putting on a wet suit is comparable to putting on a wet pair of skinny jeans.

After getting dressed we grabbed our surf boards and headed to the beach. The surf instructor gave a brief lecture about the safety of the ocean. Rip currents were present where we were surfing. The instructors set up an area with flags representing the safest area to surf. The instructors taught us two ways to get out of a rip tide if we happen to get caught in one. The instructor made me personally feel more confident how to handle a rip tide if necessary.

 

The best waves to learn to surf on are the breaking waves after they have already crashed.

Surfing was extremely fun but also very tiring. Being already sore from previous rugby and cricket practice it was challenging to push up off the board in order to stand up. After surfing the group took a swim in Lake Ainsworth. Lake Ainsworth is also known as "Tea Tree Lake" and is the color of a cup of tea. The tea tree plants grow beside the lake and drip oil down into the water.

Later we met with a woman named Marian Pentecost. Marian is an exercise physiologist and aquatic therapist. Marian works with the Aboriginal population of Australia. The Aboriginals experience disproportionate levels of education, employment, and social disadvantage. In 1967 the Aboriginal population were finally beginning to be treated as equals. Previously the Aboriginals were placed in the same category of plants and animals. Conflicts usually arise between the Aboriginals and the white population. Marian has worked with the Aboriginal population for several years. She is able to understand the struggles that they go through either past or present. Marian is able to communicate and provide the best care to the aboriginal population.

Marian treats the Aboriginals typically with the use of aquatic therapy. Marian took us through the evaluation process when a new client arrives for the first visit. The group also participated in a mini aquatic therapy session taught by Marian.

 

The night ended with a dinner cooked by the group!

 

 

*More photos to come!*