The ocean is visibly upset this morning. Ominous grey clouds gather on the horizon as the wind whips the sea into a froth. Huge waves pound on the rock outcrops that hedge both ends of Cox Bay, shooting spray ten metres into the sky, while big rollers send beachcombers scrambling inland. It is both wild and wonderful. The problem? I have booked a surf lesson, and envision myself out in the turbulent seas, a sophomore surfer getting tossed and broken by the angry waves.