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Surf Ache
This is a story about a family who embark on a seachange moving from Melbourne to the coastal city of Newcastle. It’s about the crazy impact this move has on the kids in the family, Ella and Creaky, and the resilience of young people to handle change. Ella is fifteen and finds herself in a new town having to start all over again leaving behind a full and happy life complete with best friend and boyfriend. In Newcastle, Ella doesn't know who to be or what to do but she slowly starts to make new friends. A dancer for most of her young life, Ella is thrown into a new world where surfing is the city’s obsession and she takes it on with all the joy of a new challenge. Through Ella’s newfound love of the sea, we learn a few secrets about her mum's controversial past as a gun surfer. Above all, this is a story about family and love and the secrets we keep. It's a book about girls doing things. Through Ella, we are infected with a passion for dance and surfing. This complete immersion in doing something you love is an important part of this book.
265 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
15 people are currently reading
400 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 11, 2010
Meet Ella. Her world has just been turned upside down when her parents decided to move their whole family interstate. Gone is downtown Melbourne, her dance studio, best friend and boyfriend, and hello Newcastle, where the town lives by the daily surf report, everyone knows everyone and her mother is apparently a local legend. Everyone seems to be adjusting; even her crazier-than-normal sister Creaky, yet Ella can’t help but long for her home town, where everything has its place and where she knows what is expected of her.
Nothing will replace the life in Melbourne, but as Ella starts to settle in and see the beauty of her surroundings, Newcastle may just come close. School brings new opportunities for Ella, new friends, new surroundings, new people who have no idea who Ella is. As she settles into the life in Newcastle, Ella finds what she was missing, a new dance studio, close friends and as Ella begins to accept her new life, her conflicted feelings of missing her old life but enjoying her new one start to play out. At the forefront of this is Jamie, her ex-but-still-kind-of-together boyfriend from Melbourne. Ella and Jamie never really broke it off, and when Ella starts to become close to talented surfer and fellow classmate Snowy, tensions between Ella and Jamie start to climb.
Unable to resist the lure of the surf, Ella becomes completely entrenched in the surfing culture of the town. Mornings are spent at the beach, afternoon’s training, and every second of free time is somehow related to surfing – documentaries, magazines and the all important surf report. All through this, Ella hears whispers of her mother’s former surfing ability, yet before the move, Ella and Creaky were un-aware that their mother even liked the beach, let alone spent enough time there to be considered a surfing legend.
As Ella struggles to find a balance between surfing and dancing, the question must be asked, and Ella needs to make the biggest decision that could very well change the course of her life forever.
Surf Ache is debut novel from Australian writer Gerry Bobsien, a resident of Newcastle. As a first novel, it is something fresh and new in the young adult genre. I’m yet to read a novel on surfing that I got to the end of, this being the first. However, I felt that there was room for much deeper character development and exploration, as with some of the characters their decisions and actions lacked believability for me. I felt that there was too much covered in the way of events, without a definite conclusion. That being said, this novel could be setting up to a possible sequel. I personally would have loved to see more of Creaky and Luke, as I felt this story arch was set up then forgotten towards the end of the novel, but that could be me and my love of wacky characters! Overall, an enjoyable and light read that kept me occupied and reading to the end.
Nothing will replace the life in Melbourne, but as Ella starts to settle in and see the beauty of her surroundings, Newcastle may just come close. School brings new opportunities for Ella, new friends, new surroundings, new people who have no idea who Ella is. As she settles into the life in Newcastle, Ella finds what she was missing, a new dance studio, close friends and as Ella begins to accept her new life, her conflicted feelings of missing her old life but enjoying her new one start to play out. At the forefront of this is Jamie, her ex-but-still-kind-of-together boyfriend from Melbourne. Ella and Jamie never really broke it off, and when Ella starts to become close to talented surfer and fellow classmate Snowy, tensions between Ella and Jamie start to climb.
Unable to resist the lure of the surf, Ella becomes completely entrenched in the surfing culture of the town. Mornings are spent at the beach, afternoon’s training, and every second of free time is somehow related to surfing – documentaries, magazines and the all important surf report. All through this, Ella hears whispers of her mother’s former surfing ability, yet before the move, Ella and Creaky were un-aware that their mother even liked the beach, let alone spent enough time there to be considered a surfing legend.
As Ella struggles to find a balance between surfing and dancing, the question must be asked, and Ella needs to make the biggest decision that could very well change the course of her life forever.
Surf Ache is debut novel from Australian writer Gerry Bobsien, a resident of Newcastle. As a first novel, it is something fresh and new in the young adult genre. I’m yet to read a novel on surfing that I got to the end of, this being the first. However, I felt that there was room for much deeper character development and exploration, as with some of the characters their decisions and actions lacked believability for me. I felt that there was too much covered in the way of events, without a definite conclusion. That being said, this novel could be setting up to a possible sequel. I personally would have loved to see more of Creaky and Luke, as I felt this story arch was set up then forgotten towards the end of the novel, but that could be me and my love of wacky characters! Overall, an enjoyable and light read that kept me occupied and reading to the end.
April 25, 2011
This is a story I think alot of teenage girls can relate to. Set in Australia, it is the story of Ella who is struggling with the changes happening in her life after her family move to another state. Making new friends and fitting into a new school and town is difficult , especially when all she can think about are her old friends, her now ex-boyfriend and her old dance school back in Melbourne.
When things start looking up in her new surf-obsessed town, Ella is forced to make a decision; does she want to say being Melbourne Ella, or accept her new life as Newcastle Ella.
This is a story about decisions and change. A good Aussie read for ages 12+
When things start looking up in her new surf-obsessed town, Ella is forced to make a decision; does she want to say being Melbourne Ella, or accept her new life as Newcastle Ella.
This is a story about decisions and change. A good Aussie read for ages 12+
October 28, 2019
Quick easy read that I really enjoyed!
January 4, 2013
Surf Ache is an enjoyable, light read which captures the significance of choice well. Protagonist Ella is a determined, somewhat serious character who I found very relatable. She is talented at both ballet and surfing, and is offered an opportunity which requires her to choose between the two.
I really liked this book, however I didn't give it five stars because I thought the recurring surf jargon was a little boring at times and I found the character of Jamie a little obsessive and arrogant. Jamie writes songs about Ella after she moves and, later on, suddenly announces over email that he is going to fly up to Ella's and stay for a while. I'm not fussed on boyfriend/girlfriend sub-plots though, so that may be just me.
Surf Ache is a great debut novel and I highly recommend it for teenagers, especially those interested in surfing.
I really liked this book, however I didn't give it five stars because I thought the recurring surf jargon was a little boring at times and I found the character of Jamie a little obsessive and arrogant. Jamie writes songs about Ella after she moves and, later on, suddenly announces over email that he is going to fly up to Ella's and stay for a while. I'm not fussed on boyfriend/girlfriend sub-plots though, so that may be just me.
Surf Ache is a great debut novel and I highly recommend it for teenagers, especially those interested in surfing.
July 14, 2010
I really enjoyed this book. It really showed that what you like now, may not be what you like later on. It also showed that you should try different things, for you might have a natrual talent at it, like Ella had with surfing. It also shows that trying something new can lead you to new best friends... and enemies.
Definitely something I would read again!
Definitely something I would read again!
August 16, 2012
I have such a sort spot for surfing books and this one is so easy to relate to.
Since I live in the town that is book is set it was so east to picture the characters where they were talking about. While I unlike ella I cannot surf but I do, do surf life saving and went through nippers.
Rate: 4.5
Propper review to come on myspinonbooks.blogspot.com
Since I live in the town that is book is set it was so east to picture the characters where they were talking about. While I unlike ella I cannot surf but I do, do surf life saving and went through nippers.
Rate: 4.5
Propper review to come on myspinonbooks.blogspot.com
October 5, 2010
I am currently reading surf ache by Gerry Bobsien in this book i learnt that you can dream and and do two thing that are completely different thing that you love at the same time no matter what anyone says!
November 23, 2014
It was really good i grew up in newcastle and she got the surfing atmosphere spot on, but she did miss a few things, like newcastle has more than two beaches i think she could of explored newcastle a bit more. Other than that i love a good romance
May 9, 2014
one of my FAVOURITE books right now!!!!!!!!!!
its just so relatble because like im starting to get into surfing and everyhting :)
but yea i love Snowy he is so cute and cool and sweet and funny
just LOVE the story line too !!!
its just so relatble because like im starting to get into surfing and everyhting :)
but yea i love Snowy he is so cute and cool and sweet and funny
just LOVE the story line too !!!
February 24, 2015
i loved the book i am really annoyed at the end of how they diddent hook up i thought they would. snowey sounds hot asf he sounds so cute i wish i could meet him. i would give it top marks the book it keeped me ingaged and interested in the book
October 6, 2015
i really enjoyed reading this book because it related to my life personally and was very interesting. Surf ache is a book in the genre reality and adventure. i found this book interesting with the plot and the characters work.
January 18, 2011
i think it is a really good book so far. i am into alot of humarous though but this is such a great book!
April 13, 2011
If you ever dreamed of being a ballet dancer or a champion surfer you will love this book.
January 19, 2012
It was amazing I love it
February 26, 2012
this book was great. it is great for someone learning to surf and if you arn't then it will make you wanna start. it isn't all surf there's a family secret and a bit of romance
September 9, 2014
i really liked this book and i would recommend this book to anyone who likes surfing or just a quick good read
December 13, 2014
This book was awesome. It was really interesting and emotional. I'd definitely recommend it.
July 8, 2015
this book is for the best book I've ever read it's the best if you're going to like a surfer girl you would love this idea and I'm not even a surfer girl it is literally the best book ever
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January 29, 2021IT WAS REALLY COOL!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews