Natasha Wakefield has great wind 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:
We have had a really busy week with the start of the five day instructor training programme. Steve was out instructor for the first three days of the week and I feel like I have learnt loads. I feel as though everything is beginning to click which is a great feeling.
I finally managed to do the helitack on demand (well probably one in three) which is a great achievement for me. I also took out the Nova and a 7.5m sail for a quick blast, which was certainly an experience! I was amazed that I managed to hold a sail that big. I actually found that it really helped my stance as I had to stand correctly otherwise I would be taking a swim. There was no room for error with such a large sail.
On Wednesday we had some great wind and all spend the day blasting around which was awesome. I also started to learn the waterstart which was great, although so tiring! I managed to do it a couple of times with Steve's help from the boat, but when I was left on my own, I found it almost impossible to get the rig flying. But I am not going to let it beat me. I am determined to nail it. Also, on Wednesday I felt that I made real progress with the harness and foot straps. I was in them nearly all of the time and my confidence is really improving.
Wednesday night was a drunken one, we went to the Steyne for karaoke (which is becoming a regular occurrence) and then on to Ceruttis. Thursday morning, I felt severely hung-over, which was not great as it was the start of our instructor training.
Bex is our instructor for this part of the course and she has been great. It has actually been really nice to have had a few different instructors as they all bring something new to the course. I have learnt loads from all of them. We started with Bex doing work on the simulator and leant how to teach the various moves. It was really interesting and actually a lot harder than I thought it would be to explain certain moves.
Bex in action .....
We learnt about balance exercises and then tried a follow the leader exercise on the water which was actually a lot of fun and really helped with our board control. We are doing quite a bit of theory as well, which is quite intense but really interesting and useful.
On Friday we did some more work on the simulator looking at gybing and tacking and then hit the water to start teaching. We broke into pairs and one of us pretended to be the instructor and the other the student. We went through each move teaching each other what to do. We then worked on doing demos and talking to the rest of the group as though they were beginners. It was great fun and I feel like I have learnt loads.
work on the simulator
Friday night was the Flying Fish 'Hippy' social at the Rooftop. Lots of people dressed up in their best 'hippy' attire. It was a great might and always fun to meet up with all the other 'fishes' on the other courses. We ended up in Ceruttis again for another night of dancing. Had a great hangover breakfast in Jelly Fish on Saturday morning.
Next week we have got another three days of instructor training, before working again on our personal ability towards the end of the week. I can't believe that it's only two weeks until the end of the course! The time has flown by.
Use the links below to read Tasha's full story
Online diary - Final episode: a week in the life >> 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 >> THIS PAGE - Week 3 Great wind in Sydney >> Online diary - Week 2 Non-stop action >> Competition winner goes down under >> Windsurf instructor competition winner >>
How you too can become a windsurf instructor with Flying Fish >>
More News
STCW 95 BST Basic Safety Training at Cowes with Flying Fish UK 05 September 2008Flying Fish provides STCW 95 BST Basic Safety Training as part of its RYA Yachtmaster Traineeships....
Last chance in 2008 to upgrade to RYA Windsurfing Intermediate instructor 01 September 2008Don't miss the Vass two week Windsurf Instructor Intermediate Upgrade on 21 September. This is...
Sea & Snow - the best of both worlds 29 August 2008I've read loads of good stuff about Whistler and Sydney's supposed to be amazing ...
Fly FREE London to Sydney in October 25 August 2008Trainee surfers, windsurfers and dinghy sailors get a FREE FLIGHT from London to Sydney with a...
A gap year sailing and windsurfing in Sydney with Flying Fish 20 August 2008My gap year’s been awesome, I can’t imagine not having taken a year out. It’s changed me as a...
Price match guarantee for dinghy sailing instructor courses 15 August 2008Flying Fish has always been known for effective instructor training and successful recruitment...
Sizzling windsurfing and sailing at Vass 29 July 2008Well it’s been a sizzling season for Fish in Vassiliki so far this year. Just past the half way...
Working as a Dive Instructor 28 July 2008"The lifestyle is unbelievable and you really do work in exotic locations ...
Team Fish take 4th at Cork Week 24 July 2008Team Fish take 4th at Cork Week ...
Working on a superyacht 11 July 2008Get your dream job - travel the world on a superyacht ...
Ski & Snowboard Instructor Courses 24 June 2008Work for a ski school and make your passion your career...
Order the Flying Fish Training Guide 10 May 2008Flying Fish has published a 96 page, worldwide Training Guide - with features on Flying Fish...
RYA Competent Crew 01 May 2008 RYA Competent Crew This practical training...
New PADI Divemaster & Dive Instructor courses in Sydney 26 April 2008Reduced dive course prices with qualifications that lead to jobs
Flying Fish Yacht Management 18 March 2008Yacht Management with Flying Fish means you can rest assured. Step on board and sail away while...
