Surfing gives a special feeling
GONE are the short, cool days with late sunrises and early evenings - they have been replaced by the typical Queensland hot days filled with bright sunshine and afternoon storms.
And in true Australian tradition the region's beaches have been packed with swimmers and surfers from dawn until dusk.
This Christmas-New Year period has been busy, and yesterday at Nielson Park there were hundreds in the water.
Amongst the colour and chaos in the surf there were two people that stood out.
From a distance it was unmistakable, the pair was made up of a father teaching his son to surf.
Russell Symmons was standing in chest-deep water and when a wave came he would push his son, Michael, off to hone his board-riding skills while keeping a watchful eye.
Success was a bit hit and miss for Michael, some waves he would end up nearly on the beach, while others the ride would end in a face-full of seawater and an encouraging look from his father.
A famous surfing brand uses at its motto, "Only a surfer knows the feeling", and even after a fortnight of surfing the 10 year old says he understands exactly what it means.
"I have been surfing for only two weeks. And the waves are really good today," Michael says.
"I really like the feel of the waves - you can feel the speed and the power of the surf.
"Compared to when I first surfed on the Sunny Coast the waves are a bit smaller but its still heaps of fun."
Michael's first attempt was when the family made it's annual trek to the Sunshine Coast, where he had just four lessons, and his father says compared to the last water-sport they did as a family, this is much better in more than one way.
"We used to go wake boarding, which would cost about $100 per day to take the boat out. Essentially surfing is a free sport once you have the gear," Mr Symmons says.
"It's probably safer as well - Michael's brother, Aaron, and his mates would push things to the extreme behind the boat.
"I used to surf a bit myself so to be able to teach my son is pretty good."
