Surfing

You can't go to Australia without having a go at the national pastime, surfing. Luckily there are lots and lots of surf schools willing to teach us beginners how it's done. If you decide to have a go, here are some tips to help you get started.

• Listen to experienced surfers, they know what they're talking about. It's very unlikely they will crash into you as they will just go around you, but be careful just in case they don't see you. It will hurt plus they won't be happy if you keep getting in their way.

• Be careful of rips. Look for signs that identify where the rips are. These signs will only be on patrolled beaches. Be sure to rest regularly. In the very likely event that you fall off your board or get caught in a rip, you will need your strenght to save yourself.

• The one rule you must remember when surfing is not to drop in on someone elses wave. Whoever is closest to the curl of the wave has the right to surf that wave.

• They call beginner surfers 'shark biscuits' in Australia, very amusing I know, but don't worry it is rare, although it does happen. Surf where others are surfing, don't surf at dusk or in places that sharks are known to feed and you should be fine, hopefully.