There's an infinite number of reasons why surfing is great and why everyone should get into it. These are my top 4:
1) Surfing is cool
Blue Crush was a huge hit, everyone knows who Kelly Slater is, and I've seen people wearing rash guards on the streets of Montreal. If you want to be more cool, start surfing. Teach your dog to surf and your cool level goes through the roof.
2) Surfing is good for you
The health benefits of surfing are endless. Surf trips will ruin your bank account, but they'll also do wonders for your well being. Surfing is a full-body workout and provides great cardiovascular exercise. You'll be more relaxed, more tanned, and less fat. Just look at this guy:
3) The Ocean is awesome
Surfers spend an insane amount of time sitting in the ocean doing absolutely nothing, which is part of the enjoyment of surfing. Staring at the horizon, waiting for waves and being completely useless to society is very fulfilling.
4) Be a rad old person
Your grand kids' friends will admire you when you're old, sunburned, and spending all your pension on surf trips. Then, when your spouse divorces your for spending all that money, you'll be able to pick up younger people because you're still fit.
I’m from a small town in Newfoundland with a population of 30, counting sheep, no joke. So to win this trip feels pretty amazing. Receiving almost 5000 “likes” on my video blew me away! It just goes to show, if you dream big enough and have enough determination, you can achieve anything. I went with armfuls of flyers to every classroom in all the high schools and colleges around, and passed out flyers to all the stores, restaurants, salons, and gas stations. I even posted my video in Loreal Paris’ FB page, wrote Ellen DeGeneres, Justin Beiber?!? and many other celebs. I was posted in the local Newfoundland classifieds (got some pretty interesting responses might I add). Not sleeping for two weeks, losing my voice from rallying so hard for likes, and the carpal tunnel I’m sure I gave myself from writing a million people on Facebook. It was all worth it.
Making it to the Top 3 was what really motivated me to go out and do something crazy. I had some tough competition, so I knew I had to go big or I would be staying home. As soon as I saw that we had to make a video I KNEW what I had to do (even though the thought of it sent cold shivers down my spine). When I told a few close friends about my idea, their reactions, along with their facial expressions confirmed that a polar dip in the Atlantic was what I needed to possibly win this.
That Saturday morning when I woke and saw the weather, it added to my enthusiasm. It was one of the worst snow storms of the year, and although the weather was crazy, I was super pumped about the challenge ahead. We had difficulty finding a place for my polar dip, as all the beaches were packed in ice!
I went to the local coffee shop and asked “Where is a good place to go for a dip today?”. They clearly thought I was nuts, but with their help I found a place, which happened to be in front of 15 houses!! So as I watched people eat their dinners’ in their warm homes, I took the run down the snow bank and into the icy Atlantic ocean. Having an audience just added to how fun this challenge was. I’m happy to report nobody called 911! :)
After a day of laughing until we cried, we made the drive home in the snow storm, put the video together and hoped for the best. The crazy fun day of making the video will go down as one of the funnest days of my life. I want to thank BT for giving me this opportunity, and to thank my friends, family and supporters all over the world! I am truly truly grateful! Cannot wait to make more memories on my trip to Thailand with Beach Travellers soon!
~ Melissa Wells, Golden Ticket Grand Prize Winner.
Congratulations Melissa.. Here is a sampler of what's ahead for you:
That's BT Bali guides Maggie & Shane in the photo above. Moments after this shot was taken they fell off the infinity pool and were never seen again. So we're hiring more guides to replace them. Just kidding. But seriously, we're hiring, in Bali.
If island hopping, surfing, snorkelling, diving, hanging out with travellers and loving life on beautiful beaches is your thing, and you think you have what it takes to be a BT guide in Bali, then you should apply.
