surf & waterman experience
“Within all of us there is a calling to explore the remote places, to experience things that very few people have and to challenge ourselves in the natural environment. When we find ourselves in these situations we feel a sense of freedom, of self empowerment, camaraderie and purpose.”
Soul Surf Travel is stoked to announce it is partnering with One Ocean International –
a specialist watermanship training organisation – to offer a once in a lifetime Fijian surf trip with an exciting and challenging difference.
Not only will you spend a week surfing to your hearts content on the uncrowded and world-class reefs of Fiji’s beautiful Coral Coast, throughout that time you’ll also take part in expert waterman training from two of the best in the biz – Joe Knight and Russell Ord.
At the duration you’ll walk away completely surf stoked, but also have achieved minimum level of ‘Intermediate Waterman’.
Oh, and if that’s not enough Russell Ord will be documenting the whole thing so you’ll also leave with some amazing surf shots and moments of your training.
Sound good? Then keep reading!
About the Experience
While this will be like any other Fiji surf trip in the fact that you’ll be surfing your brains out in tropical perfection, what’s amazing is that you’ll return home with a vastly superior knowledge of the ocean and ocean safety than when you left.
Each morning the focus will be getting you on the best waves available. You’ll be ferried to one of a number of world class reef breaks via speedboat and only once you’ve had your fill, focus will shift to the watermanship training – which will take approximately three hours each day to complete.
Often when people hear the term watermanship, they conjure an image of a stereotypical surfing ‘hellman’, but this course is designed for surfers off all abilities. Yes it’s all about making you more comfortable in heavier situations, but that is all relative to you. whether that’s 3ft waves, 8ft waves or 20ft waves you want to tackle, your training will be set accordingly.
This will include survival swimming, panic and fear management, first aid and rescue techniques, apnea (extended breath holding) and recovery breathing.
What is Watermanship training?
Put simply, watermanship training aims to broaden participants ocean awareness and safety. It combines principles from freediving, lifesaving, ocean swimming, surfing and more.
Whether you are a surfer wanting to take that next step up and explore new challenging surf breaks, or maybe you’re wanting to get into your first 15ft bomb, this course will give you the confidence.
This is done by exploring the reactions the human body goes through whilst in stressful situations like big wave holdowns.
You’ll break these situations down step by step, to gain an insight into the actual processes that are taking place.
This theory is then backed up by fun, challenging and realistic training in a safe environment to put this knowledge into practice.
Surf & Waterman Adventure Package Fiji
Date: 8-15 June 2019
$ 4,990
AUD
- 7 nights luxury accomodation Matanivusi Eco Resort Fiji – Twin share (Option for your own private Bure)
- All meals – hearty breakfast, lunch and dinner (snacks)
- Waterman training by One Ocean International – 6 days:
- Photo package: captured by leagendary lensman Russell Ord
- Surf transfers: Exclusive use of resort speedboat
Join us for an experience of a lifetime
Want More Information?
About One Ocean International
One Ocean International was founded by Joe Knight in 2012. Joe is a professional freediver, surfer, sailor, paramedic, nutrition and lifestyle consultant and has also been awarded a Maritime Commander Australia Commendation whilst serving in South East Asia.
So in short, Joe is the man you want to be expanding your knowledge of the marine environment.
Joe’s passion for sharing his knowledge of the ocean began with his own near drowning experience at the age of 22. Joe was surfing a remote bombie when his legrope became wrapped around a rock and he was sucked underwater.
Joe survived, but he also realised he wasn’t prepared either mentally or physically for that kind of experience. He set about upping his skills so he’d be ready should a similar situation arise again.
One Ocean aims to give his students the knowledge, skill and confidence to enjoy themselves in the ocean, whilst keeping themselves and others safe.
Not only that, One Ocean also places heavy emphasis on the importance of maintaining a strong connection to people, cultures and the environment.
The Resort – Matanivusi
You’ll be staying at Matanivusi Eco Resort located on Fiji’s Coral Coast. Architecturally designed, Matanavusi blends its luxurious accommodation seamlessly into the natural beauty of its surrounds, which includes a creek, lush rainforest and perfect white sandy Fijian beaches. About the only thing that will make you want to leave the place are the waves!
Speaking of waves, you’ll have the best the Coral Coast has to offer right at your front door, including Frigates, Fiji Pipe, J’s Shifties, Vananiu and more.
Your Instructors
Joe is a professional freediver, surfer, sailor, paramedic, nutrition and lifestyle consultant, offshore survival trainer and in 2004 was awarded a Maritime Commander Australia Commendation by the Royal Australian Navy whilst on deployment in South East Asia.
Joe has also completed Surf Lifesaving Australia’s “Surf Gold” examination.
He has trained with some of the best freedivers in the world including Umberto Pellizari, William Truebridge and Jonathan Sunnex.
Joe KnightOne Ocean International founder
Russ made his name by taking water photography to new realms at some of the heaviest waves on the planet. This includes his now legendary feat of shooting fisheye at The Right in West Oz, risking life and limb under the lips of liquid mountains to satisfy his desire for
what he considered his ultimate shot.
However, the beauty of Russ’ photography doesn’t just lie in outright bravado, but also in his ability to remain calm and produce beautiful, high quality imagery in these potentially deadly situations.
Russell OrdPhotographer/One Ocean International Instructor