Laura Andon - The Ride of Life: Learn to Stand up for Yourself

All the information, techniques, skills and concepts contained within this publication are of the nature of general comment only and are not in any way recommended as individual advice. The intent is to offer a variety of information to provide a wider range of choices now and in the future, recognising that we all have widely diverse circumstances and viewpoints. Should any reader choose to make use of the information contained herein, this is their decision, and the contributors (and their companies), authors and publishers do not assume any responsibilities whatsoever under any condition or circumstances. It is recommended that the reader obtain their own independent advice.

First Edition 2012
This Edition 2013

Copyright 2012 by Laura Andon.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission from the publisher.

National Library of Australia
Cataloguing-in-Publication entry:

Andon, Laura

The Ride Of Life: Learn To Stand Up For Yourself / Laura Andon.

1st ed.
ISBN: 9781742983097 (ePub)

Surfing
Surfing Training
Self-actualization (Psychology)
Life skills

797.32

Published by Global Publishing Group
PO Box 517 Mt Evelyn, Victoria 3796 Australia
Email info@TheGlobalPublishingGroup.com

For Further information about orders:
Phone: +61 3 9736 1156 or Fax +61 3 8648 6871

Digital edition distributed by
Port Campbell Press
www.portcampbellpress.com.au

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I dedicate this book to my Mum. Thank you for giving me light and love everyday. You are the reason I dream.

Thank you for believing in my dream.

My vision was to create more than a learn to surf book. I wanted to write about life, fears, challenges, love, dreams, faith, courage, hope and happiness. I want you all to have this in your possession, to treasure and love. Thank you for making this part of my journey.

Laura xx

Darren Stephens and Global Publishing Group, thank you for having an open heart with my vision and dream. You have helped execute this path with encouragement, generosity and care. I look forward to sharing more exciting and prosperous adventures with you.

I give my appreciation, love and admiration to my gifted photographer, MikalaWilbow. Your photographs are truly captivating and your passion to create, dream and believe is exactly why I wanted your fingerprints on this project. You have stayed with me for two years as I hustled to get this dream alive and I trust we will keep pushing the limits to create and produce. Respect.

I thank Stuart Patterson, owner and shaper of PCC Surfboards, for sponsoring my boards; without your commitment and effort, this project would not have been the same. Thank you for shaping great boards, which have provided me the tools to show the world the beauty of surfing.

My mother, Sally, thank you for giving me life. Your strength and unconditional love is always with me where ever I may be in the world. You are my rock and I feel blessed and extremely lucky to have my mother as my best friend. You are the most beautiful woman, with a heart of gold, bringing happiness and joy to those around you. I am proud you are not afraid to show the world exactly who you are. I scare myself with the amount of courage I pull from deep within me and I know you have instilled that quality in me. I feel fortunate to share this roller coaster of a life with you. Thank you for listening to my thoughts, dreams, struggles, and pursuits. You keep me grounded with your remarkable sense of humour and values. Thank you Mum for protecting me and also giving me freedom to explore and find my feet. I love you more than life itself.

My father, Lou, you are the most generous and loving father a daughter could possibly ask for. Your good will never goes unnoticed. I thank you for showing me a simple life whereby I embrace and appreciate colours, nature, people and culture. Your adventurous nature opened my eyes to the world of fishing, surfing, camping, canoeing, bike riding and bushwalking. You always want the best for me and I appreciate your guidance and presence in my life. Most importantly I want to thank you for being my Mums man.

My brother, Gary, I began school early just so I could hang out with you; I guess that shows just how much I love you. You have always encouraged me to maintain a never-give-up attitude and I thank you for that. We both grew up being questioned how a brother and sister could hang out so much, and I really dont have an answer to that apart from love. Keep creating your path in life and dream big. I thank God everyday for blessing your life.

I am the luckiest grandchild in the world to have the most amazing grandparents. Baba Cveta and Dedo Stefan, thank you for always being there, spoiling me, loving me unconditionally and advising me to worry less and smile more. Thank you for never growing up, and being more immature than me.

Timeline

Life Is A Journey

Getting Started
Wetsuit, Legrope, Waxing and Grip, Where to Paddle Out, The Shorey, Paddling, Duckdiving, Out in the Lineup, Wave Selection and Tides, Catching a Wave, Wipeout

Weather
Weather Patterns, Wind, High and Low Pressure Systems

Rock Jumping

The Unwritten Laws Of Surfing

Avoid Looking Like A Kook

Manoeuvres
Standing up, Trimming, Bottom Turn, Re-entry, Top Turn, Cutback

Safety

Underwater Dangers
Sea Urchins, Bluebottles, Sea Lice, Sting Rays, Sharks

Healthy Choice
Sun Protection, Hydration, Alcohol, Smoking, Drugs, Healthy Eating, Sleep, Moisture, Optimum Health, Confidence

Smile From The Inside

Reasons To Be A Surfer

Training Surf Specific

Surfboard Shopping With PCC

Safe Travel
What Affects the Surf around the World, Famous Surf Breaks

Surf School

Surfer Technical Talk

Chapter 1

TIMELINE