03x09 - Episode 9

[bunniefuu]

(surf 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 ♪

- [Lauren, narrating] When I came to Solar Blue it meant

leaving my family for the first time.

It was hard because we'd always been really close.

You know, one of those families

that did everything together.

Like, take surfing.

Every morning dad used to get my brother and me

down to the beach before breakfast.

- Okay, now remember those moves we were

practicing last week?

Now, let's just see how much we can remember.

We're just going to be banging off the top.

- [Lauren, narrating] Dad was an enthusiast and he expected

us to be the same.

Near enough was never good enough.

It was either all or nothing.

- [Dad] Alex, follow it down there.

Get a couple of tubes.

Hey, Lauren, here it comes, here it comes!

It's a beauty!

Paddle inside the pocket!

Inside!

Paddle!

- [Lauren, narrating] Dad was also a perfectionist.

- Drop down!

- [Lauren, narrating] If we did something,

we had to do it properly.

And if we didn't we'd do it again

and then again until we got it right.

It didn't matter what sport it was,

whenever my brother or I played

the whole family would turn up to show support.

As usual, dad's voice would be the loudest.

- Line it up!

Oh, that's a foul for sure!

- [Lauren, narrating] As far as my dad was concerned,

I was always in the right.

He was so pro-me, it was almost embarrassing.

- Oh, that's a foul for sure!

Umpire, you've got a whistle.

Are you going to use it?

- [Lauren, narrating] It didn't matter what we did,

Dad was always looking out for us.

Even with lunch orders.

- Didn't you order a mixed salad?

- That is a mixed salad.

- You've only got about three pieces of tomato in there.

It can't be a mixed salad.

I'll get them to change it. Excuse me...

- No, it's okay, Dad. I'm happy with three pieces

of tomato. I don't want any more.

- Can we eat now? I'm starving.

- Let it go, Brian, she's happy.

- Okay, but, you give up your rights on the little things...

- [Together] ... you'll lose your rights on the big things.

- Go ahead, laugh it up. I'm telling you, in this life,

if you don't look out for yourselves

then no one else will.

- Yeah, Mom will look out for us.

- Hmmm, well, we won't be around forever.

- Bon appetit.

That's Italian for "milkmaid".

- (laughing)

- [Lauren, narrating] It's why my parents regarded sport

as so important.

They said sport taught you how to compete.

It focused you on getting results.

Above all, it showed you how to win.

- [Dad] Bring it in.

(whistle)

- [Lauren, narrating] Even our local football team,

which, naturally, my Dad coached, was a training ground

for more than just soccer skills.

- You have got to listen and remember what I tell you.

Yeah? Pass the ball to a teammate.

- [Lauren, narrating] Whatever we did, it was always about

trying to go that one step better.

My brother and I knew that Dad would still be thinking

about the missing tomatoes on my salad.

We played this game where we'd guess how many seconds

it would take before he'd mention it to the waiter.

- Excuse me, sorry, can I just add, that was excellent.

Could you just pass on the message to the chef,

just let him know that the mixed salad really should

have more than three pieces of tomato in it.

(slapping sound)

- [Lauren, narrating] That was my dad.

Always drawing lessons for us at every opportunity.

We knew he went over the top.

A lot.

But we knew he and mom were just trying to do

their best for us.

Besides, they were our parents.

And the only adults we'd ever really known.

Then I came here.

- What are you drowning my salad in?

- It's my own special dressing

- [Lauren, Narrating] Suddenly, I was in a world

where the adults in charge weren't that much older

than I was.

Now, instead of being told what to do,

everything was up for discussion.

Often, very confused discussion.

- The school principal called me today.

- Whatever it is, I didn't do it.

- Yeah, me neither.

- What's the problem?

- Why does everyone assume that just because

the principal calls there has to have been a problem?

- Well, that's what principals do, isn't it?

- Yeah, they don't normally just call up and just

chat about the weather.

(laughing)

- Maybe they should. It'd be a good way to get to know

the kids' parents.

- I don't want my teachers gasbagging to my parents.

That'd be embarrassing.

- Ooohhh. Scared they'll find out your secret?

- No, home is home and school is school.

I think the two should be kept separate.

- Not if you live in a country town like mine.

Everyone knows everything about everyone and you can't burp

without people three streets away hearing about it.

- I would seriously hate that.

It's so claustrophobic.

- [Lauren, narrating] Meal time conversations at Solar Blue

were totally different to the one's we had at home.

My father always believed in getting to the point.

Here, people talked so much they often forgot

what the original point was.

Most times, I really enjoyed it.

But, some times, I figured a bit of my dad's focus

didn't hurt either.

- Excuse me, can we find out what the principal

actually said, Bec?

- Is anyone in trouble?

- No, not at all.

It's the reverse, actually.

- He thinks you're all fantastic, so he's actually

asked you for a favor.

- Oh, what kind of favor?

- The local paper is doing a story on all the different

sports played by schools in the district.

He asked if you could be available for some photos

to highlight surfing.

- Oh, yes! When?

- Tomorrow.

- Yes! Day off of school!

- I think you should get back to him with a big "Yes!"

before he changes his mind.

- Relax. We knew you would think it was an offer

to good to refuse, so we've already accepted

on your behalf.

- Wicked!

- That is, unless, anyone has any objections?

- If they do I'll k*ll them. HI-YA!

Pass the butter.

- [Lauren, narrating] That's the way lots of things

got decided at Solar Blue.

Bec and Garry let everyone have their say,

even though they'd often made the decision already.

It would have driven my family nuts.

There were many things about Solar Blue that my family

would have found weird, but intense competition

wasn't one of them.

When it came to anything involving water,

they all went for it like there was no tomorrow.

This, my dad would have loved.

- Woohoo! Got ya!

- Just!

- Ah, only just is all it takes.

- Enjoy it while you can, Cassie.

Compared to the beginning of the year,

we're nearly up with you.

- Listen, every day you improve, I improve

a little bit too, remember?

- Well, I guess we're just going to have to psych

you out then, aren't we?

- Oh, and how are you gonna do that?

- Easy.

- (playful scream)

You are gonna have to do better than that.

- Nice.

(slapping sound)

(laughing)

- [Lauren, narrating] What my family wouldn't

have expected, though, was to see how close

I'd become with the girls who were supposed to be my rivals.

As soon as the competing stopped,

we were like three sisters.

Dad would not have got this at all.

- So, how's Charley?

- I don't know.

- What? You mean you haven't spoken to him?

- He's sick. He's supposed to be resting.

- Not so sick he can't pick up a phone.

- Yeah, don't you want to talk to him?

- Of course I do.

- (singsong voice) I bet he wants to talk to you.

- Do you think I should?

- Oh, Lauren, you are too innocent

for your own good sometimes.

- (giggle)

- Honestly, get on the phone and give him something

to relieve his misery.

- Hmmmm.

(upbeat music)

- [Lauren, Narrating] One thing I definitely wouldn't have

told my family about was Charley.

Not that there was much to tell.

But, there are some things even close families

don't need to share.

(phone ringing)

- Hello?

- Charley?

- Lauren, hi!

- [Lauren] How are you?

- Better, now that you've called. I thought you guys

had forgotten about me.

- As if.

We miss you heaps.

Me, especially.

- (laughs) I know you're just saying that,

but I'm glad to hear it, anyway.

- So, how are you, really?

- Well, the fever's gone.

Now I just feel like I've been hit by a truck.

But apart from that, my biggest problem is trying

to digest the three tons of food my mom insists

I eat every day.

- Don't be too hard on her.

I once read that's how mothers express affection

for their kids.

- Thanks, mom.

- Charley? Hello?

- Sorry.

Mom just brought me a snack big enough to feed

the Australian Army.

- (chuckles)

Well, according to my theory

she must love you a lot.

- Yeah, either that or she's trying to stuff me so full

I'll never get out of this chair again.

- [Lauren, Narrating] Talking to Charley made me realize

that not only did I miss him,

- So, how's the surf been over there?

- [Lauren, Narrating] but I also knew nothing at all

about his family.

For some reason, it was a subject we never explored

with each other.

Not that I wanted to dwell on that now.

- So, any idea when you'll be back?

- Well, soon I hope.

I'm going mad doing nothing.

(phone beeps)

- Oh, my battery is about to die.

I better go.

Miss you, Charley.

- Same here.

I even miss Adam and Guy, but don't tell them that.

- Cross my heart.

Bye.

- See ya.

Oh, mom, I've already got lots of fruit.

- There you are.

- Sorry.

I'm not that late, am I?

- It's fine.

Listen, your father called.

He's in town today.

- Since when?

- He flew in for an early morning meeting.

He was hoping to see you this afternoon.

- Oh, but the photo sh**t.

- I explained all of that AND I invited him to come along.

- And is he?

- Yeah, he's on his way.

- This is so good.

Thanks, Bec.

(upbeat music)

- Come on, Bridget!

Put some more energy into it!

- I am!

- Since when does eating sand help anyone become a surfer?

- Well, if you do it properly, your face won't

be in the sand.

Well done.

Come on!

Go, go, go, go, go!

(slapping sounds)

- Come on, Lauren, hit harder!

Come on!

Hit harder!

- I'm trying!

- Get aggressive!

Pretend my hand is your enemy!

- I don't have enemies!

- If you don't hit harder, you will soon.

- Who?

- Me, now come on!

Put some more effort into it!

- You wouldn't be Mr. Power, by any chance?

- Yes.

You are?

- Bec Sanderson.

Welcome to Solar Blue.

- You're Bec.

- Something wrong?

- No, it was just...

I thought you were older.

- A few months more in charge of this lot and I'm sure

I'll look it.

- (chuckling)

- Does Lauren know you're here?

- Not yet.

I thought I'd just lay low for a bit and watch them train.

- Flex those shoulders.

That's it guys, well done.

Push nice and hard.

- Is all this heavy stuff really necessary?

- Garry wants them to work on their shoulders,

build up their upper body strength.

- [Mr. Power] And he's a trained sports instructor?

- No, he's an ex-surfing pro.

But, he knows his stuff.

- Right.

- Okay.

All right.

Take a break, have some lunch and well,

look fabulous for your photographer.

- Lauren.

There's someone here to see you.

- Dad!

- (laughs)

How's my little girl?

- Why didn't you tell me you were coming?

- I'm sorry, I really just found out late last night.

- Never mind.

I'm so glad you could come.

- (laughs)

- Meet my friends.

Hey, everyone, this is my dad.

- (together) Hi.

- Hello, hello, g'day, g'day, g'day, g'day.

- You're welcome to join us for lunch, Mr. Power.

- Thank you, but I've got to go and check into the hotel.

But I was thinking, while I'm here, maybe we could

have dinner tonight?

If that's all right with you?

- Absolutely.

- Okay.

And, I'll be back this afternoon to watch the demo.

I can't wait to see how far you've come along.

- Well, at least let me show you the house first.

It'll only take a second.

- Really?

(upbeat music)

- [Lauren, Narrating] It was great being able to show Dad

what my life was all about now.

At the same time, there was something a bit weird

about it, too.

Suddenly, this person I'd been really close to all my life

was now a kind of outsider.

I don't know how to explain it, really.

But, I could tell Dad felt it, too.

- Looks like you've settled in well.

You obviously enjoy it here.

- It's great, Dad.

I couldn't ask to be in a better place.

- Good.

- That's not what I mean.

It's not like home, of course.

But, if I have to be somewhere else,

it's as good as anywhere.

- What about this coach of yours?

- Garry?

- Yeah.

Does he know what he's doing?

- Yeah.

He knows surfing inside out and he really pushes us on the

fitness side.

- It's just that he and Bec, I mean...

They're both pretty young.

- Yeah, but they're really good.

And all the kids respect them.

- Right, then.

You'd better go and get some lunch and I'll be down to

see you in action.

- Okay.

- Oh, we've missed you at home.

- Missed you, too.

I'll see you later.

(hard rock music)

(shutter clicks)

- Okay, enough of the easy stuff.

Will wants some action shots, so let's get out there

and show him what you can do.

- How do I be sure they get my best side?

- You can't, Guy, because they're not taking

shots from behind.

(laughing)

- Ouch, Cassie, you really cut me deep!

(music ends)

- Perfect timing, Lauren.

Here comes your dad.

Lauren and the others will be heading out in about

minutes.

You're welcome to take a seat.

- Thank you.

- And help yourself to the water here.

- Will do.

- [Bec] You must be really proud of Lauren.

She's a great girl.

- Yep.

She is that.

- We've all become very fond of her.

- Well, that's nice, Bec.

But what really matters is how much you've improved

her as a surfer.

- I think she's making very good progress.

- Mm-hmm.

And this points table you keep,

how's she standing in relation to the other girls?

- There's nothing between them.

- So, she's equal first?

- No, right now she's coming third.

- Third?

- But, there's only one point between her and first place,

so it's meaningless in the scheme of things.

- One point is far from meaningless.

One point is all it takes to separate the winner

from the losers.

- Lauren has every chance of being a winner.

As do the other girls.

(hard rock music)

(shutter clicks)

- Woohoo!

- All right girls, you're up!

Now remember, be skillful, athletic and just,

look brilliant.

Apart from that, no pressure.

- Okay, thanks, coach.

- Yeah, we're really relaxed now, Garry.

- Wish me luck!

- I think we should prepare for some storm clouds.

- Sorry?

- Lauren's dad.

- Oh, right.

What's the problem?

- It might be nothing, but if he says anything,

just try and keep your cool, okay?

- Okay.

(shutter sounds)

- Are we done?

All right.

Thank you.

- Look, here he comes.

If he does say something, just take it on the chin, okay?

No arguing, all right?

- Okay.

Well, Mr. Power, what do you reckon?

Lauren's coming on a treat, eh?

- [Mr. Power] Youchanged her style?

- Few modifications, yeah...

- She's here to improve, not get worse.

- Mr. Power, I'm sure you know that sometimes

you've got to take two steps back in order to

go three steps forward and well, that's just what

we're doing with Lauren.

- Rubbish.

Lauren has a natural style.

You can't turn her into some mechanical impersonation

of whatever trendy fashion it is you follow.

- No, I'm not trying to turn her into anything.

- I thought she came here to learn.

She's got no chance of making the pro circuit if you

stifle her like this.

- Mr. Power, Garry is an excellent coach.

He's doing a top rate job with Lauren.

- Well, I'm sorry, but I don't see it.

- Maybe you're not looking properly.

- What's going on?

- Bring my board, will you?

- I spent years developing her natural style

and you've destroyed it in what, four months?

- I'm sorry, but her natural style wasn't good enough

to take her to the top.

It needed modifying.

- That's your opinion.

- Yes, and we're the ones that run the place.

- What's happening, Dad?

Why are you arguing?

- We need to have a chat, Lauren.

Get dressed and we'll wade into town.

Listen, I'm sure that you both have the best intentions,

but, the fact is that good intentions mean nothing if

you don't have the experience to back them up.

I'll meet you at the front.

- What's going on, Bec?

- Nothing that can't be sorted out once we've all

calmed down a bit.

Go on, have a nice evening with your dad.

Everything's fine, I promise.

- What was all that about "keeping your cool and

not arguing"?

- [Lauren, Narrating] I couldn't believe what I'd just seen.

The three most important adults in my life had ripped into

each other like kids in a street fight.

What had Dad done?

- I'm sorry, Lauren.

I didn't mean to embarrass you in front of your friends

like that.

- The embarrassment I can handle, Dad.

What upsets me is why you got into an argument with

Bec and Garry in the first place.

- It's very simple.

I was angry with them for what they're doing to you.

- What?

What are they doing?

- Listen, Bec and Garry seem nice enough, but they're far

too inexperienced to be running a surf school.

- How can you judge that after just one afternoon?

- By what they're doing to your surfing?

There's no way you're going to get to a pro standard

under them.

They're sending you backwards.

- No, they're not!

- Lauren, listen.

I'm your father.

I know your surfing better than anyone.

I taught you, remember?

- So what are you saying?

- (sighs) I want you to come back home.

We'll get you a personal coach.

A proper, experienced coach who can build on your strengths.

I know this is a shock, but you must understand.

For Bec and Garry, you're just another surfer.

For us, you're family.

They've got to keep everyone's interests in mind.

We only have yours.

I'm only saying this because I want the best for you.

You know that, don't you?

(dramatic music)

- I have a few questions.

All I need from you is a yes or no answer.

Will changing my surfing style really

make me a better surfer?

- Yes.

- Do you think I'm actually improving?

- Yes.

- Do I have a realistic chance of winning

at the end of the year?

- Yes.

- Yes.

- Do I have what it takes to make it on the pro circuit?

- Yes.

- Thanks.

I think that's all I need.

(gentle acoustic guitar music)

- [Lauren, Narrating] All night I tossed and turned

wondering what to do, but the more I thought,

the more confused I became.

So, in the end, I did something my dad had told me.

The best way to think through a problem is to

get out on your board.

And sooner or later, the answer will come.

- Whatcha looking at?

- Lauren.

- What about her?

- She's been out there for ages.

- Nothing wrong with that, is there?

- Yeah, she's just sitting there.

- I think all that stuff with her dad really got to her.

She didn't say a word at breakfast this morning.

- What is it about families?

- Can't you ask something simpler like how to solve

global warming?

- Is your family difficult?

- My family is a w*r zone.

- Really?

- We love each other to death, but we just can't help

but argue all the time.

- So do you all manage to live together?

- I have often wondered that myself.

- Do you think that's the same for Lauren?

- I don't know.

But, I hope she can sort it out.

- Dad?

I've thought about what you said, a lot.

And, I've made up my mind.

You're not going to like this, Dad.

- [Lauren, Narrating] You spend all your life with someone

and you think you know them.

I thought Dad would go ballistic when I told him I'd be

staying at Solar Blue.

To my amazement, he didn't freak at all.

It was almost like he was expecting it.

So, why did he cause such a fuss in the first place?

- Only seems like minutes ago you were seven and I

knew exactly what a father should do.

Five minutes ago you were and I still knew.

Suddenly, you're and I haven't got a clue.

- I guess nobody stays forever.

- What happens to kids when they become teenagers, huh?

Where do they go?

- I'm still here, Dad.

I'm still your daughter.

You're still my father, I hope.

- Not much of a father if yesterday is anything to go by.

- Don't worry.

We all have an off day.

Don't scold yourself.

You've been the best dad ever.

You and mom have given me everything.

I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you.

- Now it's over.

You don't need us any more.

- Don't say that.

Of course I need you.

More than ever.

- So what is it we can do, Lauren?

You're going to have to tell me.

Because I haven't had any practice at this.

- All I need is to know that you're there.

You and mom.

And that I have your support.

- It just doesn't seem enough.

- It's everything.

- You sound so grown up.

You're going to have to give your mom and me coaching

in parenting.

- Don't be fooled.

I might seem grown up,

but I'm still afraid of the dark.

- (laughs)

- [Lauren, Narrating] It's funny, but in many ways

Dad was right.

The family ties we'd always known weren't the same any more.

That didn't mean the ties were cut, though.

Just that they were different.

- Let me apologize again, Bec, for being out of line.

I never was very good at being tactful.

- It's okay, Mr. Power.

We appreciate you coming here this morning.

- Thanks.

(uplifting piano music)

Lauren tells me you're a great coach, so if she

believes in you, then I do, too.

- Thank you.

It's very nice of you to say so.

- [Mr. Power] Bye, sweetheart.

- Bye, Dad.

Thanks for being so understanding.

- I don't know how much I really understand,

but, if you're happy...

- I am.

- Good.

Don't forget to call because your mother misses you.

- Excuse me.

When do I ever forget to call?

- You're right.

So, be careful.

You're in danger of becoming the perfect daughter.

- Bye.

- Take care of her.

- We will.

- [Lauren, Narrating] When you think about it,

families are a lot like surfing.

Some days, you're coasting down the face

and others, you're wiping out completely.

You just never know what the next wave's going to bring.