As joint owner of Pines Surfing Academy at Shellharbour with Ron Ellem he gets to enjoy Illawarra's majestic beaches everyday while sharing his love of surfing and the ocean with people from all walks of life.

And just when he thought things couldn't get better, Vaya and his team have been recognised as the best adventure tourism operators on the South Coast at the 2008 South Coast Awards for Tourism Excellence.

"We were up against a number of exceptional businesses including Skydive the Beach in the adventure category," Vaya said. "So we we're pleased to win.

"We have wonderful, carefree staff and it's because of them that our students want to keep coming back."

Pines Surfing Academy is tapping into the growing market of people searching for thrill-seeking experiences.

"We have such a beautiful coastline and beautiful natural beaches like The Farm - it's great to share that with others," Vaya said.

"While you are out there you can see dolphins, whales and stingrays in their natural habitat.

"Surfing is all about feeling alive, feeling free and having fun. There's nothing better than seeing the joy on someone's face when they stand up on a surfboard for the first time."