Learning to Surf with Mark Bickley: In the Yorke Peninsula region of South Australia

Surfing along the South Australian coastline has got to be one of the most-adrenaline packed ways to spend a summer. On Yorke Peninsula the top surfers head to Chinaman's - a short drive down from the entrance to Innes National Park.

And at the very tip of the toe there's spectacular Pondalowie Bay - another mecca for those in search of the perfect wave. The more adventurous might give the West Coast a go at places like the unforgiving Blackfellas break at Elliston.

But before hitting the big waves it pays to get some lessons so I donned the wet suit and hooked up with surfing instructor Luke Talbot-Male at Middleton Beach. His Surf and Sun Safaris take you through the basics:

“We're standing on the beach and the swell is rolling in. It hits the sandbar, breaks and comes in. So that's what's making it break. The reason it breaks in such a way is because it goes from very deep to very shallow.”

I stood on the beach looking at an endless procession of two to three foot waves. It was no Hawaiian Pipeline but it was enough to jag a hamstring so we start with a quick warm-up before Luke takes the group through the fundamentals like how to position yourself on the board.

“Now if you're going to lie on the front of your board where's all the weight of your body? On the very front. So what's going to happen if you go for the wave is that it’s going to lift the tail of your surfboard and the nose is going straight into the water. And you're going to go headfirst over the front and do what's called a nose dive.. And it's not much fun.”

It's information we take on board with differing degrees of success on our first foray into the surf. This is all about getting into position for that final leap to the board and that requires a bit more sand-based practice. The idea is to spring to your feet in one quick movement.

“Look over your shoulder, the wave’s about to get us. Start to stroke, the tail lifts, push up to your feet and you're surfing all the way in. That's great.”

Sun and Surf Safaris use foam boards with softer malleable fins, so with a few safety tips in mind you enter the water with plenty of confidence - not that it translates into immediate results.

In my old footy days, coaches stressed the idea of visualisation - picture yourself kicking that goal and it will happen. I kept visualising that practiced leap to the board and ended up falling off.

By about now doubts are settling in and I'm beginning visualise a surfing class in which I'm the only one not to make the grade. But thankfully the penny drops and pretty soon I stand up and realise just why this surfing thing can become an obsession. The beauty of Middleton is the endless surf breaks and though at times it's a little bit uneven and sloppy they provide a perfect opportunity for practice.

Surf and Sun Safaris are on the beach throughout Summer and Autumn. For more info email info@postcards-sa.com.au