Every so often we get a message that sums up why we do this. This one is from Fraser, who joined the Epic Gap Year in 2025/26 unsure what he wanted to do with his life and has been rocking around the World since.
More than surfing
It turned out to be about so much more than surfing. I got to experience different cultures, meet people from all over the world and make friends with people of all ages and backgrounds. I’ve made friendships that I know will last a lifetime, with people I probably would never have met if I hadn’t done Ticket to Ride.
I arrived as a young boy who was still figuring things out, and left feeling much more confident and independent. At the start, everyone was looking after me, but over time I learned how to look after myself, work with different people and deal with situations I’d never experienced before. The people I met and the things they taught me have been just as important as anything I learned in the water.
Skills that travelled home
Since coming home, I’ve been able to use the skills I learned with Ticket to Ride to work at some of Scotland’s biggest festivals, including TRNSMT. The experience I gained from social hosting, hospitality and looking after guests has been really useful and has opened up other opportunities for me.
I’ve also spent some time at home helping care for my grandfather, and I’m now getting ready to head to Australia, with plans to travel around Indonesia and other parts of the world too. I’m hoping to get back into surf work, build on my experience and progress to Level 2.
Fraser since the programme
Looking back, Ticket to Ride has genuinely set me up with skills I’ll use for the rest of my life. I’m really grateful to everyone who was part of the experience, not just for helping me become a better surfer, but for helping me grow as a person and showing me how much is out there in the world.
If you are not sure what comes next
I’d recommend Ticket to Ride to anyone, especially if you’re at a stage in your life where you’re not really sure what you want to do next. It pushes you out of your comfort zone, gives you the chance to meet amazing people and opens up opportunities you might never have thought about. For me, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made, and I’m excited to see where it takes me next.
If you in a similar headspace as Fraser was, take a look at our Gap Year Surfing Adventures, who knows where they will take you…