Whilst in Sixth form I already knew I didn’t want to go to university. It just wasn’t for me. So when I finished my A-levels, I had the summer off and then applied for a full time job at Waitrose. I already worked there part time so I moved departments and they bumped up my hours to full time. I’d always known I wanted to travel but had never looked into it properly.
.jpg)
I spent the next few weeks figuring out what I wanted to do. I didn’t want to do what all my friends were doing- the whole Asia, Fiji and New Zealand circuit. I wanted to be different. So after hours of trawling the internet, I thought I’d found what was right. A complete diving course that took me from beginner to instructor. I applied to several schools and was successful. I chose one and reserved my place.
Then Ticket to Ride threw a spanner in the works.
I came across Ticket to Ride when a friend of a friend invited me to the page via Facebook. I checked it out and after watching the video blogs several times over I got in touch and asked for a brochure. The Brochure came and after having a read through I was starting to regret my decision to dive! I didn’t need much swaying and after talking to Dave and Tom over the phone I changed my mind.
I chose the 13 week South Africa and Mozambique Adventure. It was described as 13 weeks in the sun with world class waves and world class coaches. “The adventure of a lifetime”
Dave suggested coming up to the office to meet the team- so that’s what I did. Every question I had, they had an answer for. The meeting ended with me putting my deposit down and getting my spot on the trip. I knew I’d have to save so drew up a saving plan for myself and started saving every penny I could.
Then a few months later, a bombshell. For unforeseen reasons I couldn’t go on the trip. The guys in the office were brilliant and moved me onto the same course but a year later. So then I juggled Waitrose, tree surgery and my social life for 18 months. Some months I managed to save and others, well, they weren’t so successful!
When 23rd January finally came around I couldn’t believe it. I’d saved up enough money to pay for it all. The course, the flights and all my spending money. I’d waited so long for this and my expectations were high. I was starting to worry whether it would live up to them.
The trip was no disappointment, as you can see from the blogs here. At the start there were 15 people of which most of us could barely surf. Plus the two Professional surfers- Klee and Nikita- our trip leaders. After 13 weeks it was 17 friends cruising the coast and surfing the crystal clear, tropical waters of Mozambique with the majority of the group qualified Surf instructors and lifeguards. I could talk about this trip all day but this is a snippet of my adventure- http://www.ttride.co.uk/eu/blog/11150513-ttride-rider-stories-alex-douglas-21-uk
After the trip I arrived home and quit Waitrose as soon as possible and headed back out to Cape Town for three weeks on my own. I met up with Nikita, who told me about some cool places I should visit, and Ronan. Ronan was one of the guys from my trip. He was coaching over in Muizenberg so I spent a few nights back at baileys Surf Shack with him.
Before long I was on my way home again and after a few days i organised my 20 hours of instructor shadowing down at the Ticket to Ride surf academy for the end of May. After completing my 20 hours, Julian, the surf school manager signed my hours off and I was a fully qualified surf instructor! I spent the whole summer in Cornwall working mostly for Ticket to Ride and also a couple of schools in Newquay. Another Incredible experience thanks to Ticket to Ride.
I headed back home mid September with the view to getting a job just for the winter. There were a few big bookings at the surf school throughout October and November, I helped with these but couldn’t wait to get back down for the summer again.
.jpg)
Once again, Ticket to Ride threw a spanner in the works. Will, one of the directors, came down to the surf school and spoke about the internships they offer. I applied for it and managed to get a place for this summer.
Now I’m currently working at Ticket to Ride head office and have been given the opportunity to see how a surf travel company, surf school and Europe’s most established surfing magazine- wavelength, is run behind the scenes. I am learning various office skills that, if nothing else, will strengthen my CV.
My experiences with ticket to ride have changed my life. I’ve met so many people and found something I have real passion for-surfing. I’m looking forward to where my current internship will take me next!
Alex Douglas- Rider, Instructor, intern.