Flying Fish competition winner goes down under to windsurf

Natasha Wakefield arrives in Sydney

Tasha won the Flying Fish/Boards 2007 prize: a free place to train as a windsurf instructorwith Flying Fish Australia and Flying Fish Greece, followed by a guaranteed job with Club Vass.  Tasha writes:

After about 30 long and tiring hours travelling, watching countless in-flight movies and trying to sleep through an endless night, I finally arrived in Sydney. As we landed, the view towards the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge with the sun rising was amazing.

I was met at the airport by Steve one of the Fish instructors, who drove me to the accommodation (not sure how he managed to put up with my jet lagged ramblings). The accommodation is great, only 2 mins from the beach and the centre of Manly. The first day was so tiring, as I was desperately trying to stay awake (under strict instructions from Steve). I had a briefing at the Fish office at 11am with Russell and then I headed straight into Manly.

Manly beach is totally stunning – clear blue seas and gorgeous sands. I did manage to stay awake until 9pm the first day, but then fell asleep for 14 hours solid! The first week has been fantastic. I have met an amazing group of people who are all a real laugh. The night life in Manly is great and I have been out on a quite a few crazy nights out (last night being one of them.)

The windsurfing is awesome. Balmoral is a great location. John our instructor is brilliant and I am learning so much.  I finally managed my first very wobbly helitack and non-planing carve gibe this week, which was great. The wind this week has been great a mix of light and strong winds which has given us all the chance to practise moves when the wind is light and then put them into practice when the wind gets up.

I am completely battered and bruised and ache from head to toe from the windsurfing, but I am loving every minute of it. It is all a world away from my job back in the UK.

Use the links below to read Tasha's full story

Online diary - Final episode: a week in the life >>
Online diary - Starting work as a windsurf instructor >>
Online diary - Final week completing the course >>
Online diary - Week 8 Mastering the cowboy >>
Online diary - Week 7 Teaching at Club Vass >>
Online diary - Week 6 Tasha arrives in Greece >>
Online diary - Week 5 Saying goodbye to Sydney >>
Online diary - Week 4 Assessment as an instructor >>
Online diary - Week 3 Great wind in Sydney >>
Online diary - Week 2 Non-stop action >>
THIS PAGE - Competition winner goes down under >>
Windsurf instructor competition winner >>

How you too can become a windsurf instructor with Flying Fish >>