Last week Airbnb announced 75 plus new surf experiences on their site as part of a partnership with the WSL. The companies have combined to offer “experiences hosted by surf pros, certified coaches and influencers across dozens of unique destinations for surf lovers.”
Surfing, you see, has been good for Airbnb. They estimate that there were over 170,000 guest arrivals at homes in surfing communities worldwide in 2017 and that surfing experiences are some of most popular on their platform.
So, as of now, you can learn to surf in California with Luke Stedman and Damien Fahrenfort, assuming you can handle their blinding good looks and have 90 bucks to spare. For more inside paddling techniques and less cheekbones, you might prefer surf coaching with Brazilian QS warrior Leo Neves. Away from actual surfing their is the opportunity to shape a board from scratch under the watchful eye of Hawaiian legend Carl Schaper.
So far, so bland. However what we want to see here at Tracks is a few, real, once-in-a-lifetime experiences that would really blow your hair back. Not so much outside the box, but out of the freaking stratosphere. Something like these;
Surf Tandem With Kelly Slater… At Teahupoo
Kelly recently posted a clip of his tandem surfing the Surf Ranch with his girlfriend Kalani. It’s a good idea, but Kelly, typically, hasn’t taken it to the next level. Our new experience sees you getting gaffer taped to his back (or front) before towing into a Teahuppo wave of his (or your) choice. There’s barrels, there’s skin-to-skin contact with the GOAT and the real possibility of death. Now that’s something we’d drop a few hungee for.
Two Hours For Two In The Booth
The chance for you and a mate to don the cans and spend two hours in the commentary booth at any WSL event of your choice. Imagine you and your funniest mate with uncensored reign over the WSL airwaves at the Uluwatu Final, or a World Title deciding Semifinal in Pipe. Could you out take the piss out of Pottz, torpedo Turpel or out blow-dry Blakey. This the chance to put your money where you mouth is.
Be Ezekiel Lau’s Priority Buoy
Ezekiel Lau, the current World No. 6, is currently vying to become the sport’s best hassler. However he needs your help. With John John mostly unavailable, Zeke needs someone to paddle around and over on a regular basis. No surfing skills are required and this is a rare opportunity to spend time in the ocean and help a true surfing star in his quest to become the best in the world. Hourly experiences come in at only 50 bucks a pop and whole days at a measly 100.
Be A Tracks Editor
If you think this might be hard work, think again. Over the course of the production of a single issue of the iconic magazine, you get to spend three days in the office, two weeks surfing with pros and a week in a Byron resort courtesy of a valued advertiser. The rest of the time is split between arranging free boards for your quiver, organising the annual December Hawaiian trip accommodation and not replying to emails. Swap accommodation supplied in Bondi, and you can even put yourself on the cover!!
Rod Cunthorpe’s Writing Workshop
The Ex-Tracks columnist is now in hiding, holed up in the Rooty Hill RSL, but is still managing to run surf journalist workshops from a disabled toilet on the second floor. For 500 bucks (paid in pokie tokens) you can learn the dark arts of the trade including how to hack Mick Fanning’s Nokia, where to place of hidden cameras on boat trips and a full two days on pro surfer quote fabrication. “Rod’s workshop is the only fast track to surf writing stardom. He remains the best in the business and the only man I would shower with,” says Joel Parkinson on the course’s brochure. Enough said.
