Sunsets at Bondi || BONDI RESCUE

CHAPTER I - Hello Bondi beach

There I was, standing on the promenade with Bondi beach right in front of me. I've been waiting for this moment for so long and I honestly can't believe the time is finally here. I don't think I've ever been this excited in my whole life. I got a place for myself in a new city, got a new job that could possibly be my dream job and I live so close to the beaches now that I don't even need to take a car to go to them. Of course back home it would only take me about a 5 minute drive to get to the beach nearest to my family house, but it would take me at least a 30 minute bike ride, while as right now it would only take me about a 4 minute walk to Bronte beach, and around a 12 minute bike ride to Bondi beach.

As I walk down the ramp on the south end of the beach I take in the warm sunlight hitting my body. With my white/lime green surfboard under my left arm, and my pretty basic black thongs in my right hand I set my first steps on the scorching sand. The beach was busy, as always... I remember coming here as a kid like once a year with my whole family during the holidays. Back then the big crowds always slightly terrified me because it would be so easy to lose your parents in just seconds. Today there could easily be 25.000 people out here. And the holidays haven't even officially started yet. I find a nice empty space on the sand somewhere in the middle of the beach and I put my surfboard down placing my thongs right next to them. I take off the bag that was hanging over my shoulder and put my hand in it to grab some sunblock. I definitely didn't feel like getting sunburned on my first day at the beach since arriving in Sydney, which was now 5 days ago. I've been so busy unpacking, buying furniture & buying groceries that I haven't been able to check out the city that's now my home at all. Of course the first thing on my to do list was going out for a surf. It's been at least 2 weeks since I last went surfing and usually it wouldn't be more than 2 days. Surfing was a part of me, and something I grew up with. My dad always took me with him on his surfboard before I could even walk. Now that I was living even closer to the beach then I did before made me very happy. As I put my bag down I take of my red t-shirt and denim shorts to reveal my favourite bikini, the best one that I have ever bought. The top is very simple with a peacock blueish colour, and the bottom is white with a feather print on it matching the colour of the top. I loved how simple it was but still looked very cute. The colours also compliment the nice tan that I always have. I grab my towel from my bag and lay it on the sand and sit down. Starting with my legs I start applying sunblock on all the places that are now being revealed to the sun. As soon as I'm done I put the sunblock back in my bag and lean back on my arms taking in the view. On my right is a rocky area with a path going up to the Icebergs. The pool there was pretty quit for such a nice day as today. I guess most people wanted to hangout on the beach instead. In front of me is the well-known backpackers rip. For me the perfect spot to go out for surfing, but for many tourists that can't swim an absolute nightmare. As I look further to the left I see a buggy standing right next to a dangerous current sign. I feel for the lifeguards that have to keep on telling people over and over not to swim there while the signs couldn't be more clear. I don't think I could handle that much frustration while trying to stay nice to them. Looking to my left I can see the lifeguard tower in the distance. I instantly remember my dad once telling me how he did lifeguarding for a few years back when he was around the age of 23. He had to quit because of an early ankle injury that kept on coming back causing him not to function to his fullest which was necessary. After about 15 minutes just sitting there looking around and taking in the nice sunny weather I decide it was time for me to finally hit the water. I get up and take of my sunglasses throwing them next to my bag on the towel. Taking a hair elastic from my wrist I grab my long wavy golden brown hair and put it in a ponytail. I pick up my surfboard, attach my ankle rope and start walking down to the waters edge. As my feet slowly hit the water I walk over to where the rip starts so I can take it to my advantage to get to the back faster without having to deal with that much waves breaking on me. The waves were only about 2 feet today but the size didn't matter to me. All I cared about was being able to surf a few waves today. I walk into the water and jump on my board to paddle out. I stop paddling when I enter the line-up. There are at least 40 other surfers out here with me. Which is fine with me, since I've had times were it was way more crowded. The only annoying part that I noticed straight away was that a few beginner surfers made their way over here from the north end of the beach. Causing them to constantly be in the way of the people who can actually surf. After cracking a few nice waves I head back to my towel. Since I arrived later on the day it was becoming closer to pack up time and many people had already left the beach. I always forget how quick the time goes when I'm out surfing. As I sit down to wait for the sun to dry my body I look back out to the water. Ever since I arrived on the beach I've seen at least 15 rescues happen in backpackers rip. And now again a lifeguard is running out into the water to safe someone in trouble. Sometimes I really don't get how people get themselves in these situations. But then again, many of the tourists that come here might have never been to a beach before. Something that I just can't imagine living without. As the lifeguard arrives back with the patient on his board the Asian looking guy barely has the strength to stand up. I see the lifeguards taking him to the buggy to give him some oxygen. While more people are leaving, and I see other lifeguards packing up the beach in the distance I take that as a moment for me to head home as well. I put my t-shirt and shorts back on and put my towel back in my bag together with my sunglasses. The sun isn't that bright anymore so I won't be needing them when I'm biking home. As I arrive at my bike I slide my surfboard in the special rack that I bought. Which I'm so happy I did cause otherwise I would have to walk with it for at least 30 minutes. I unlock my bike with the keys that I had in my back pocket and start heading back to my apartment. Today was well needed. Next week starts my new job so I won't be able to head down to the beach all the time. Which is fine, since I'm really looking forward to start working as a full time photographer/videographer to. For now I was enjoying the free time that I had left and getting to know a bit more about the new city I was now living in.