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could hit you or another surfer, which wouldn’t be fun.”
    So then we went into the water, right? Wrong. Then we all had to sit next to ourboards while Bethany gave us a lecture about different sorts of winds and waves and stuff.
    “When you get more advanced, you can paddle out to deeper water,” said Bethany. “You should watch the waves – they normally come in a series, called a ‘set’. Generally, there are three waves in a set, with a calm bit in between.”
    “I never knew that!” said Frankie, as if it was really interesting or something.
    I pretended to swallow a yawn. “Are we going to get in the water any time this year , d’you reckon?” I whispered. I was starting to wish we were down with the others, playing beach volleyball.
    But at last Bethany announced we could wade out and try some surfing for real.
    The water was quite warm – thank goodness! But I didn’t wade far. As soon as I saw a wave coming, I turned my board round. The wave caught me all right, but I didn’t exactly shoot gracefully in to the beach – the wave flipped me straight over, and I ended up coughing and spluttering on the sand.
    “Well done!” said Bethany. “At least you hung on to your board!”
    On my next go I did manage to stay lying on my board. “Wheeeee!” I squealed as the wave raced in to the shore, taking me with it. This was more like it – this was fun !
    Meanwhile, Bethany was standing in the shallow water shouting, “Go for it, Frankie!” and “That’s right, Alana!” When she said, “Wow, Rosie – that’s excellent!” I turned round and looked.
    Coming in last of the group, Rosie had actually managed to kneel up on her board. Her mouth was wide open in astonishment – she looked like she was on a fairground ride.
    “Brilliant!” Bethany said to her as she came out of the water. Rosie beamed.
    “Well done!” squealed Lyndz. “You looked awesome!”
    Even Miss Walsh – who was sitting on a towel further up the beach – gave her a round of applause.
    That made me determined. I strode straight out into the waves again. I was so going to kneel up this time.
    What actually happened was that I headed in to the beach bum first, with my board on top of me and a nose and mouth full of seawater.
    “Don’t worry, you’ll get it soon too,” grinned Bethany, wading over to where I was lying like a beached whale. “It’s a knack – some people crack it quicker than others, that’s all.”
    I didn’t say anything then, but I can admit it to you now: I was a bit miffed at that. I mean, I’m the sporty member of the Sleepover Club, right? I know Lyndz does loads of horse-riding, but for your general, all-round, kickabout, get-the-knack sport girl, you’d come to me first every time, wouldn’t you?
    And yet here I was, clearly on a mission to drink a whole seaful of water, while Rosie was busy developing some serious skills.
    I didn’t have long to feel sorry for myself, though. Just as I was picking myself up, I hearda shriek. Out in the water, Fliss had fallen off her board and lost hold of it completely. Somehow, though, she’d managed to catch the wave just right and surf in lying on her tummy.
    “That’s called body surfing,” Bethany called to her, laughing. “Fun, isn’t it? Don’t worry – your board didn’t hit anyone. Just come out of the water and it’ll follow.”
    Fliss must have been kneeling in the shallows – she was still submerged up to her neck.
    “Come on, Fliss, come out!” called Frankie, who was sitting on the sand beside me.
    “I – I can’t!” said Fliss, looking panic-stricken. “I’ve lost my bikini bottoms! When the wave caught me they kind of swooshed off!”
    Sure enough, a little way away, I could see something bright pink floating on the water. Frankie and I clutched each other, helpless with giggles.
    “Just come out, don’t worry,” called Bethany.
    “I’ll wrap you in my towel!” called Miss Walsh.
    Fliss looked mortified. Not only