(upbeat music)
♪ There's too much choice and not enough time ♪
♪ To find what's mine ♪
♪ Aiming for your head, get down ♪
♪ You're the only one in town ♪
- Getting into Solar Blue
has been the biggest thrill of my life.
It's turned out to be everything
I'd ever imagined.
The house is great.
The surfing's fabulous
and everyone's really terrific
so why am I feeling like the biggest loser
South of the equator?
I mean look at Bridget, my roommate,
nothing phases her.
She's so well organized
and always in control.
- Lauren, you don't have to do that you know.
Wear one of my shirts if you like.
- No it's okay,
I've been meaning to do it for ages.
- Well anytime you want
just help yourself.
- [Lauren] Even Bridget's clothes are well organized.
Everything's beautiful, nothing's out of place.
Just like her really.
- [Cassie] Lauren, Bridget, anybody?
- Coming.
Then of course there's Cassie.
Nothing and no one intimidates her.
Cassie?
- [Cassie] Down here.
Can you come over to the other side?
I need your help for a second.
- Cassie, what are you doing?
- [Cassie] Blue Tongue.
- Sorry?
Oh.
- Would you believe this little guy decided
he wants to share my room?
Much as I like him I really think
he should be outside.
Can you take him?
- Take him?
- I just need both hands to get out of here.
- Oh, sure, right.
- Won't bite, here.
Easy.
There ya go little mate.
You got him?
- Yeah.
I couldn't tell Cassie
but reptiles freak me out.
This guy knows it too.
Even he thinks I'm a loser.
- He's a cute little fella, isn't he?
- Yeah, sort of.
- Come on little mate.
Let's find you a proper place to bunk down outside.
- [Lauren] Seeing Cassie so at ease with that lizard
made me feel totally hopeless.
It seemed to prove that just like Bridget
Cassie was in control of her life and I wasn't.
As for the boys,
they all had their acts together in no time flat.
Guy was a bit loopy sometimes
but he loved surfing so much
he didn't care what people thought of him.
As long as he could surf he was happy.
Adam seemed totally together about everything.
A volcano could erupt next door
and he wouldn't even bat an eyelid.
As for Charlie, he was so confident it was scary.
He knows what he wants and nothing's going to stop him.
The thing that made me feel most inadequate though
was just how great Cassie and Bridget were
on their boards.
I thought I could surf but they were awesome.
So here I was.
I'd got into Solar Blue but in no time flat
I wasn't even in the race.
- Right people let's not make this too formal.
I just wanted us to quickly get together
so we could officially say welcome Gary.
(cheering and clapping)
- Thank you.
Look, I know it wasn't easy for you guys
to choose between me and Dave
and Beck's explained about the issues
you guys sorted through.
- Yeah well it's all Charlie's fault.
If you end up hating us all
then he's the man to take it out on.
- Don't listen to them.
- Well hopefully noone's gonna hate anyone.
I just want to say that I'm grateful
for the opportunity you've given me
and I will do my best not to let you down.
- Any questions?
- Yeah yeah, when will we find out
about the sort of training programs you have in mind?
- I'll need to get to know you a bit first
then I'll drop your schedules.
Probably about a week or so.
- Okay.
- Cool, so a week of freedom
before the hard stuff starts.
- [Beck] Not exactly.
- If we're going to get acquainted
we should start as soon as possible.
Go.
Okay, come on, that's it, dig in.
I wanna see you really digging in.
(upbeat music)
- , , , ,
, keep going, , .
- Breathe in as you come back, out as you go forward.
- seconds to go.
- [Gary] Go.
(upbeat music)
Come on guys.
I wanna see you do this in under five minutes.
♪ He took the track on the wrong side ♪
♪ Now he's in for the long ride ♪
Come on Guys.
- I think I've just died.
- Oh that makes two of us.
- If this is just getting acquainted
imagine what it's gonna be like
when the real training starts.
- Very good guys, very good.
We wanted an idea of your basic fitness levels
and now we've got them.
- So how did we do?
- Yeah and don't feel shy about being positive either.
- Overall we think the signs are very promising.
- Promising?
What does that mean?
- It means just that.
Promising.
Now let's move onto stage two of getting acquainted.
(groaning)
Come on.
(upbeat music)
- So, how'd we go coach?
- Interesting.
- Is that good interesting or bad interesting?
- Interesting interesting.
- At this stage we're just looking
to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses.
- Then we're gonna tailor some programs
aimed at developing your strengths
and eliminating your weaknesses.
- So Gary, what about those of us
who are already perfect?
(laughing)
- Well if and when we ever find them
we'll let you know.
- Okay, Cassie, Bridget, three guys, lunch break.
- Lorna, I just need to see you for five minutes, okay?
- Uh Gary, it's Lauren.
- Oh, Lauren I'm sorry.
I've got a cousin named Lorna.
Don't worry, by the end of the year
I should have all your names right.
- [Lauren] If I needed a sign
that my place here was shaky
then Gary just gave it to me.
Not only am I the one single person
to be kept back but guess who's name
is the one he can't remember.
- Right, not the greatest work of art
but it'll do.
Jump on, take your natural stance.
Yeah, good.
Right, now get in the position you would
when riding a wave.
Okay, there's no tactful way of saying this
so I'm gonna be blunt.
- [Lauren] Oh no.
He's gonna tell me I'm not good enough.
- The problem with a lot of girl surfers
is they stick their butts out too far.
Now what that does is it throws your weight
away from the center and affects your balance, right?
So I wanna see you straighten up a bit, okay?
Once you get your balance,
then you get control and maneuverability.
You'll be sweet.
(phone ringing)
Whether you join the pro circuit or not.
Focusing on that will make you a much better surfer.
I'll see you up at the house.
Hey, Mike.
- [Lauren] Whether you join the pro circuit or not?
It's obvious, isn't it?
He doesn't think I measure up.
All because of my stupid butt.
It was no surprise I guess.
Ever since I can remember I've always been embarrassed
about my butt.
It's either been too big or it stuck out.
Now it was stopping me from doing the only thing
I really wanted.
I hated it.
- Admiring your good looks, are you?
- No, no, just checking a technique thing Gary showed me.
- Yeah, Cassie and I are both jealous, you know?
- Jealous?
- Yeah, you get personalized coaching right off the bat
and we get banished to the house.
Talk about favoritism.
- You've got nothing to worry about on that score.
Trust me.
- All right, well you coming to lunch then?
We're all waiting.
- Sorry, I'll be right down.
- Mm, this is good stuff Gary.
- Yeah, where'd you learn to cook?
- One of the byproducts of life on the pro circuit.
You don't look after yourself, no one else will.
- Oh see Charlie, points for housework
do have relevance after all.
- Right I believe you.
I promise I won't moon about it again.
- So Gary, why did you quit the circuit
after only four years?
Didn't you like it?
- Are you kidding?
Traveling the world as a pro surfer,
that's as good as it gets.
- Really?
So why quit?
- Well, it doesn't matter what sport you're in,
there's one thing that'll do you in every time.
- Injury?
- I got careless.
I hit some rocks, snapped a leg.
- And?
- And it's back together okay
but I lost just enough flexibility
to take the edge off my surfing.
- And if you don't have the edge.
- Exactly. When you're up against the best in the world
you have to have everything going for you.
One small fault and you might as well stay at home.
- That's why the training program will be tough.
We'll be pushing you hard
to sort out your technique and get you super fit.
- Yeah, speaking of which,
you haven't told us how we went today.
- Yeah, are we in the race or totally hopeless?
- Basically, you're where I expect you to be
at this stage of the year.
- Doesn't tell us much.
- Yeah, how much do we need to improve by?
- About %.
- %?
- What?
We're not that unfit.
We couldn't be.
- You're not unfit compared to most people.
- But you are unfit compared to the best
surfers in the world.
- Which is where you need to be by the end of the year.
- Maybe I'll become a nuclear scientist.
Sounds a bit easier.
(laughing)
(knocking on door)
- Hey, sorry to interrupt.
We're going down to the mall to see a movie.
Wondered if you'd like to come.
- Normally I'd be in like a shot
but one of the joys of my job
is paying the bills,
especially those ones screaming to be paid yesterday.
Thanks for the thought though.
- That's cool, bye.
- I thought everyone was going to the movies.
- Oh, we are.
I mean they are.
I didn't feel like it.
- Funny, I thought you were the one in favor
of the group doing things together.
You know wanting everyone to get along.
- I am.
I do.
- So?
- It's just I don't think I'll be here much longer.
- That sounds pretty radical.
Do you wanna tell me about it?
- It's pretty obvious, isn't it?
- One of the things you'll learn about me Lauren
is that I'm fairly simple minded.
I need things explained to me a lot of the time.
Like now for instance.
- Cassie and Bridget.
They're such great surfers.
- Yeah?
- And they're both so, so confident
and on top of everything.
- And what you're not?
Is that what you're saying?
- Not like them.
And then when Gary told me I had a big butt.
- He what?
- Well, not a big butt,
but that it stuck out and upset my balance.
- It does.
- Exactly.
So like everyone's talking about being elite athletes
and world class surfers and I'm like some pre schooler
who can't even stand on my board properly.
I mean we've had one training session
and already I've got this neon sign on my head
flashing class ret*rd.
- Lauren.
Let's establish a few facts, okay?
One, you are not the class ret*rd
and two, you're a terrific surfer,
that's why you were selected to come here
in the first place.
- It's not just the surfing Beck.
The others are all so together.
They know who they are and where they're going.
I don't have that.
I'm just not in their league.
- Okay, here's the deal.
We've organized a surf comp tomorrow afternoon
against some local surfers.
There will be three independent judges
so you can get a completely objective view
of how you compare to Cassie and Bridget.
Let's hold off any decisions about leaving until then, okay?
- Okay.
I understand what Beck was trying to tell me
but the facts were the facts.
There were five kids ready to take on the world
and there was me.
How could I possibly compete?
- Let's go guys. We've got half an hour to test the surf
before the comp starts.
Let's make the most of it.
Come on you lot.
I'll see you down there.
- Hey can I make a suggestion?
- About what?
- Well this board here might suit your style a bit better.
- You've noticed my style?
- Yeah, it has slightly thicker rails
so it could work for you.
- Sure, why not?
- I mean it's not that much different than your own board
but could give you that little bit extra.
- Think I need more than a little bit extra
but thanks for the offer.
It's really nice.
- No worries.
- All right guys, listen up.
There'll be three heats.
Guys first, then girls.
You'll be marked out of for each heat.
Don't hold back.
Really show us what you've got.
All right?
(horn blowing)
♪ A bootleg souvenir ♪
♪ The writing sure looks weird ♪
♪ Is it the same song I'm thinking of? ♪
♪ Sold like souvenirs ♪
♪ The vibe you get is weird ♪
♪ Lighten up, our stars signs are the same ♪
♪ You and your friends are sinking like a stone ♪
♪ You and your friends are sinking like a stone ♪
(horn blowing)
- Good luck.
- [Lauren] It's funny,
but when you know you can't win
all your fears drop away.
Cassie and Bridget seriously wanted to do well
but I'd soon be on a bus home.
All I wanted was to just get out there
and enjoy myself.
(horn blowing)
(upbeat music)
(horn blowing)
- Very good guys.
You easily outscored the others
so we'll be a shoe in for both boys and girls comps
which is disappointing really.
I was hoping for some stiffer competition
to test you guys out a bit.
- Well, you know we can't help it
if we're so good, can we?
- Yeah, come on Gary, it's not our fault.
- Very true.
So, Beck and I have decided to spice things up a bit.
We're gonna make this comp
count towards your end of year points.
- How?
- Three points each to the winning boy and girl.
Two points for second, one for third.
- It'll be based solely on your scores in this last heat
so right now you're all in a position to win.
- Pull out all the stops on this one,
you've got nothing to lose
and three big ones to gain.
(horn blowing)
(upbeat music)
- They're all so good, aren't they?
Who do you think will get it?
It's too close to call.
(upbeat music)
- Nice ride man.
- Likewise bro.
- Nothing in it, I reckon.
(upbeat music)
- What's Lauren doing?
- She's heading out the back.
Trying to get something bigger.
- There's not much time left.
She could miss out completely.
- We did tell them to take a risk.
- [Lauren] This would be the last time
I'd surf Blue Water beach
so I wanted to make sure I got the best of it.
That's why I was out the back.
Hoping for one last big set to roll in.
I wasn't disappointed.
- Lauren's chancing her arm a bit.
- Leave her alone.
She's allowed to try something a bit different.
- Pardon?
- Yeah, do I sense a bit of favoritism here?
- No, I just think you guys
should appreciate it when someone
shows a bit of initiative.
- Yeah, sure man.
(upbeat music)
- Come on.
- Yeah, she judged that perfectly.
- To a tee I'd say.
(upbeat music)
- Get off.
This is my wave.
- Oh, ouch.
- Man, that's some wipe out.
(slow music)
- [Lauren] It wasn't how I'd planned to finish up here
but I guess if it's not meant to be
then it's not meant to be.
- Well, suppose you're all sweating
on who got the points.
- Yeah, I thought you'd forgotten.
- Be good to at least get a hint.
- Well, I hate to admit it
but you all did surprisingly well.
- Especially given that you had
next to no preparation.
- Well you know, it's called natural talent.
(laughing)
- The boys scores were--
- Nothing in it guys.
Adam and Charlie both scored eights
and Guy would you believe it, an eight and a half.
- Oh yeah, woohoo.
- Guy's bagged three points towards his
end of year tally.
You two split the rest.
One and a half each.
Well done guys.
- Not a bad afternoon's work I reckon, eh?
- And the girls.
- Bridget and Cassie both scored eights.
(clapping)
Lauren bad luck this time, a zero.
- Well it's not fair that Lauren got taken out
by some amateur who didn't know the road rules.
- Idiots like that should be banned.
- It's my fault.
I chose to go for a bigger wave out the back.
It didn't come off.
- That's it in a nutshell.
It was a high risk strategy.
Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.
Today Lauren was unlucky and she lost.
End of story.
- End of story.
- Anyway, Bridget and Cassie walk away
with two points towards their end of year tally
and Lauren gets one.
Great start to the year guys.
Keep that up and there'll be no stopping you.
Now, did I hear someone say food?
(cheering)
- Chips guy.
- [Gary] I know you like it.
Can't resist.
- Um, does anyone need some tomato?
- [Gary] Yes please.
- Go.
(screaming and laughing)
(slow music)
- Sewing's one of the many things
I've never been able to master.
I just can't get my fingers
to do what my brain tells them to do.
- Yeah, well when you've got a limited wardrobe
you don't have much choice.
- You did well today Lauren.
- Yeah, must have been one of the best
last placings ever.
- Actually it was.
- Look Beck, I know you're trying to be nice
but you can't change my mind about leaving.
So I was messed up by the other competitor,
I still wouldn't have scored numbers
like Cassie and Bridget.
I'm out of my depth here.
- We had a deal that we would see how you compared
with the other two.
- And we've seen it.
They got eights and I got a zero.
That pretty much sums it up I reckon.
- I don't think so.
- What's that?
- The judges marks.
The independent judges who didn't know you,
Bridget or Cassie from a bar of soap.
You were way ahead after those first two heats.
- Did I really score nines?
- And if you hadn't wiped out in the last heat
you probably would have scored another nine, at least.
- I couldn't have been this good.
- Well you are and all three judges
are telling you that.
- Even with--
- Even with your butt out.
Just imagine the numbers you'll rack up
when you straighten up a bit.
You're a real surfer Lauren
and if you could just stop beating yourself up
there's no telling how far you can go.
- Butt or no butt?
- (laughs) yeah, butt or no butt.
You know there's a pool game going on downstairs.
I think they could use another player.
(upbeat music)
- Through the pool table.
- Go.
(screaming and cheering)
- [Lauren] It's silly, isn't it?
How one little bit of paper
can change everything.
Okay, I came last in the comp
but suddenly I wasn't the loser I felt I was.
I still thought Cassie and Bridget were awesome
but at least they weren't totally out of my league now
and who knows by the end of the year
I might even have a chance against them.
Hey Charlie.
- Hi.
- Charlie, when you said you thought this board
would suit my style,
what'd you mean exactly?
- Oh, well you sort of crouch a bit.
- Crouch?
- Yeah.
- You mean I stick my butt out?
- That's probably what I mean.
- Oh well, I'm working on it
but thanks for the loan of the board.
- Hey Lauren.
- Yeah.
- Um, I didn't mean to suggest that,
um I mean there's nothing wrong at all
with your, what I mean to say
is that you've got a really nice, uh,
I'm not saying this too well, am I?
- Actually you said it very well.
In fact, couldn't have said it better.
(slow music)
Oh yeah and there was one other thing
that piece of paper did,
it helped me deal with something
that had been freaking me out my whole life.
Oh no.
It's all right Lauren, relax.
Come on, you scored nines in two heats,
you can deal with this.
All right fella,
we need to get something straight,
this is my room, not yours, right?
I may have been a loser last time you saw me
but I'm not anymore, okay?
Good.
Maybe we should both remember that from now on.
(upbeat music)
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03x03 - Episode 3
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Each season follows the lives of a young group of students at Solar Blue, a high-performance surf academy where several lucky 16-year-olds are selected for a 12-month-long surfing program at Bilgola Beach, Sydney.
Each season follows the lives of a young group of students at Solar Blue, a high-performance surf academy where several lucky 16-year-olds are selected for a 12-month-long surfing program at Bilgola Beach, Sydney.