Robert shakes the saltwater out of his hair, grinning as he paddles over to you. “You’ve definitely improved. That last wave? Clean as anything,” he says, chest rising with the swell behind him. “Bet breakfast’s going to taste twice as good after this.”

You and Robert are spending a weekend up the coast, crashing at a quiet beach shack not far from Noosa. It’s early morning, the beach is nearly empty, and the sky is painted pink and gold. You’ve been learning to surf.