Unless you’ve been paying no attention to anything I’ve been blogging or tweeting about or you’re new to the site you’re probably aware of the fact that I’m currently kicking back in Montanita, Ecuador working as a surf instructor for Montanita Spanish School.
I’m not going to lie – it’s a pretty sweet deal!
The Daily Grind
At the moment my daily routine is sooooooo tedious – I’d much rather be in an office with my buddy Gijs instead. Do you detect a hint of sarcasm?! For the past month I’ve had a pretty solid arrnagement;
- Spanish class 10am until 11am
- Wax and repair boards/blog/tweet 12 until 1pm
- Surf lesson 1 until 3
- Surf lesson 3 until 5
- Surf for myself 5 until 7
- Watch the sunset with a beer or in the water @ 7.30
- Swim in the pool
- Eat
- Party 9 until the early hours
…and repeat everyday! Well except for the weekends when my surf classes are simply replaced with more surfing and topping my tan up on the beach!
I really am living the dream at the moment!
Sun
Since I got to Ecuador the weather has been nothing short of amazing. Knowing that everyone else back in the UK is dealing with snow, gale force winds and rain whilst I’m lapping up 30 degree sunny days on the sand puts everything into perspective!
Escaping the English winter has certainly been the best decision I’ve made in a long time and I haven’t regretted a minute of it.
The only downside is the fact that although my tan is coming along nicely I’m having to wear a long sleeved rash vest for the bulk of the day simply to stop myself getting burnt by the fierce midday heat!
Sea
And with consistently hot weather comes warm clear seas! Water temperatures here are sat around the 22 degree mark everday, even on the odd day when it’s overcast. That means it’s boardshorts all the way – no 5mm winter rubber for me anymore – just hanging loose in my Ripcurl Mirages with zinc cream on my nose.
Everytime I paddle out I think of the little bro and my surf buddies back in Devon braving -1 degree air temperatures and peeling themselves out of freezing cold wetsuits in windy car parks.
Me on the other hand – I simply stroll down the beach negotiating the crowds of gorgeous Argentinian girls sunbathing and jump in with little more than a sense of stoke and refreshment from the sun!
Surf
Montanita seems to hoover up the swell and there’s been rideable waves EVERDAY since I’ve been here. Somedays it’s cruising on a longboard in glassy 2 foot perfect right through to charging the point break at double overhead.
Absolute surfing bliss all round!
There’s been tubes, snapped boards, big smiles and heaps of stoke…and all this exercise has put me in the best shape I’ve been in since Oz – happy days all round!
Teaching surfing is by far the most fun and rewarding job I’ve had (sorry guys at STA Exeter, I still love you!) and I’m stoked to be able to introduce people to the sport that has consumed my entire life!
No day is the same which is great. Somedays I’ll only have 2 people which is epic becuase I get to surf heaps, and somedays there’s 12 people and boards loaded on the truck, which is always fun challenge.
Getting people like Kiki (possibly my most entertaining/stubborn/amusing student!) stood up riding waves always puts a smile on my face and so far I’m maintaining a 100% success record on people riding to the beach! Whoop Whoop!
If you’re even slightly considering jumping on a Surf GB Surf Coach Course I highly recommend it – it’s one of the best investments and career moves I’ve ever made.
…and the sex?! Well lets just say that being a surf instructor certainly has it’s perks! (sorry mum if you’re reading this!) – although I’m still somewhat sticking to the “waves over babes” mantra I set myself for 2012, the ocean will always win!
Fuck you very much!
possibly my favourite post comment ever :P
Can’t wait to go surfing when I start my 2 months in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, & Panama. Will definitely have to check out that surf school in Ecuador when I venture to South America sometime in the future. Thanks for sharing!
Costa Rica will be epically good surf – enjoy it! Check out errant surf and surf south west for some good surf camps there :) If you’re heading to Ecuador for some Spanish let me know – I’ve got some promo codes that will hook you up nicely!
I went from a 3/2 in San Diego to shorts in Costa a few winters ago. Fucking. Awesome.
you’re moaning about a 3/2?! I went from 5mm, booties, gloves and twat cap!hahaha! board short session are definitely the way forward though – I can get used to them :)
Will be heading to Montañita in December, is there many jobs around surf or otherwise? I’m teaching English in Cuenca at the moment but I’m originally from Ireland and I don’t think living so far away from the sea is having a positive effect on my mind.
Hey Mark, the best way to work around the Montanita area is to get to know some locals and ask around. I know the Spanish School have just taken on a new surf intern, but they may well be looking for some other help, just say you heard about them through the blog!
I never made it to Cuenca actually, I enjoy the beach too much!haha!
Montanita is an amazing place to stay and live though – enjoy!
did you get a job in montanita with an ASI level 1 surf instructor certificate?
it was an ISA level one with Beach Lifeguard too – but I’m sure they’d be fine with an ASI 1 too
Great post! I’m staying in Ayampe for the month of July 2013, can’t wait. I’m sure I’ll be checking out Montanita plenty since it’s only a half hour away.
Ayampe is heaps nice too! You’ll have to spend a few weekends partying in Montanita though!
Hi Chris,
I’m a newly qualified surf instructor from the west country and thinking about a year abroad. Do you know if Montanita Spanish School are still operational and whats my best bet on getting a job there! :)
Hey Joss – stoked to hear you’re thinking of heading that way! Indeed they’re still going strong – email them on [email protected] and mark it FAO Gijs – tell him I sent you his way as he’s a good buddy of mine!