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STORY: Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson of the British boy band One Direction hit Manly Beach in Sydney on Thursday (April 12) for a surfing lesson.

The crowds of fans were much smaller than they have encountered since they arrived in Australia and Payne was grateful of the reception they have received.

"Just a massive thank you really for being so supportive. It's been massive since we touched down here, so yeah, really, really good, thank you," he said, sitting on the beach.

After his surfing lesson Tomlinson seemed very keen to get to the car as quickly as he could. Covering his crotch with his hands, Tomlinson told reporters: "I've got a kind of awkward position right now, so I've got to cover up the goods."

One Direction is in Australia for four performances before heading to New Zealand for three performances.

The boy band shot to fame after performing and coming third on the UK series of the X Factor in 2010.