The Waves Await – A review of SWA by journalist Pam LeBlanc

Pam LeBlanc is a journalist for the Austin Statesman. She joined us on a retreat this past summer to learn to surf and wrote about her experience. An excerpt from her exciting story is below, along with a link to the full article. Enjoy!

surf instructor, surf camp, learn to surf, costa rica, womens, surf yoga retreat
Surf instructor Chloe demonstrates the nose ride on a long left.

The waves await

On the last day of surf camp, we head across the muddy gravel road in front of our cabins to a stretch of beach where the waves break big.

There, the ocean curls over into industrial-size rolls of carpet, crashing in rapid-fire explosions of greenish-gray spray. The roar drowns out the squawking of the scarlet macaws, and I can’t draw my eyes away. Those waves look huge to me, much bigger than the “cute” ones we’ve been practicing on all week, even though I know that for seasoned surfers they’d present no problem.

Surfboards in tow, 10 other women and I stare out to sea. Then we wade into the surf. We dash out, a few at a time, between the biggest sets, springing onto our boards and paddling furiously, jumping off and “turtling” them overhead to get through bigger waves.

It takes 30 minutes for all of us to work our way safely past the break. Then we sit up, watching intently for just the right set.

After a week of practice, now comes the test……

Post session view review

Making waves

Before the first ocean session at all-women’s Surf With Amigas camp in southern Costa Rica, we gathered beneath a covered pavilion for some dry land briefings. We learned the parts of a surfboard, the basics about wave formation and how to get up on a surfboard. Instructors broke the pop-up technique into steps, and we practiced on yoga mats.

Then we headed to the beach in a van loaded with colorful boards, music pulsing out the windows. For the next five days, our group broke into two — beginners like me and more experienced paddlers. We visited two nearby beaches, and one day rode a boat to catch a wave off the Osa Peninsula. We paddled into swell after swell, missing some and catching others.

Gradually, things got easier. I grew comfortable hopping onto the board and easing myself into the standing position. I didn’t always get it, and fell off pretty quickly when I did, but I swooned every time I felt that sweet push when I caught a wave just right. After a few days, I could turn down the line, riding a small wave as it broke toward shore. The other campers and I cheered each accomplishment, and at the end of every session we snacked on fresh watermelon and pineapple.

“These trips are confidence-boosting, girl power.”
Lucy Schwartz, 27

Then we headed back to our cabins, no-frills, cement-floored shelters without air conditioning or hot water but with plenty of charm.

Sure, we all went nuts when a local woman stopped by to paint toucans and palm trees on our fingernails, we descended like vultures when organizers pulled out an array of teeny-weeny bikinis available for purchase, and we staged the greatest slumber party of all time one night when we made chocolate from scratch, sipped wine and braided each other’s hair.

But make no mistake: This was no frivolous get-together. We came to surf.

Costa Rican wildlife

To read more, click the link below for the full article:

http://specials.mystatesman.com/surf-camp/

Last night bonfire with new friends.

Thank You and Testimonial from Amiga Kathy

We love getting thank yous from Amigas. It helps reinforce our feeling that what we’re doing not only provides a ton of fun and surfing knowledge but that it can also be more than that. We often get Amigas coming down who just really need to get away. Whether it’s a recent relationship breakup, job change, family heartache, or just re-evaluating life choices, sometimes it’s more than a vacation that people are looking for. Getting an email like this makes us smile to realize that we were able to help someone beyond just improving their pop-up. See below for Kathy’s message. Thanks Kathy!

I was definitely missing Nicaragua already when I got out of the airport to rain and 5 degrees the other night. Although I did get a pretty excited welcome from this girl (aka best snuggler ever), which mostly made me forget hammocks for a moment.

doggy

While I know you can’t take total credit for how awesome the other people in our group were ;), you guys totally set the tone for a supportive, joyful, trusting place. The fact that it’s paradise with a tropical bird chorus every morning doesn’t hurt either, nor do the great teaching skills both surf and yoga-wise.

kathy relax

Oversharing time, but it’s relevant. My dad passed away (cancer) in October, and while that was sad more than painful (if that makes any sense), it definitely ranks up there as one of life’s more stressful events. I was looking to get away, to turn off responsibilities and cares for a little bit and reset my happy meter, and what I found far exceeded my expectations. Don’t get me wrong!! – I’m not conflating surfing camp with Tara’s wilderness therapy (that sounds like a BAD IDEA for both you guys and anyone expecting something like that), but I found the week to be really healing. Having an ear to ear grin for most of the day, doing something like catching a wave, which just like dancing or riding fresh powder or watching my dog wriggle around on her back fills me with pure joy (oh wait, there WAS also dancing and watching dogs be their goofy wonderful selves!), being around people who are fun, engaged in the world and interesting and also are open and compassionate, and beautiful surroundings, good food, getting exercise, being outside all day…..those are my personal ingredients for some serious recharging and self-care. Which is what I MEANT to try to say the morning I left, instead of getting all teary 🙂

Thanks! y muchas besos,

Kathy

kathy wave grab

(mis)Adventures in the Third World

This is an excerpt from an incredibly entertaining blog called Lindsey’s Misadventures in Dating by an amiga who came to a retreat with Suave Dulce. Check out her version of what a Nicaraguan retreat is all about.


Last year, I was frustrated. I saw all my best friends taking these amazing yearly trips with their significant others– Guatemala, Turks and Caicos, Bali…and I was mega jealous. I looove to travel, I finally have the means to do it, and I was sick of waiting for a dude to do it with. Then, S-bomb (fka “Tita Sue“) popped up last summer and said, “Yo. Wanna go to surf and yoga camp in Nicaragua next spring?” 
Me: “Yep.”
Done and done.
Our awesome friend Ruth had put together the whole thing and, when I’m not in charge, I just go with it. Plus, due to my hectic schedule I just hadn’t bothered to do any research other than looking at the packing list [and then forgetting half of it]. I hurtled myself on a plane a few weeks ago and off I went to Managua. With a raging sinus infection, I might add. [Bonus!]
I got off into 90 degree weather feeling kinda crappy but was greeted by my nice driver.  I got into his car and asked “¿Cuantos minutos al Coco Loco?” (how many minutes to hotel Coco Loco?) His answer: “Dos horas y media.” 
Umm…2.5 hours??? 
¡Dios mio!
This is where some research would have prepped me for that. Oopsie.
But I slept most of the way there and enjoyed the ride.  I got there at sunset, just in time for the rest of the girls to greet me. I was a day late because I had stayed to go to a wedding with you-know-who. [Good idea at the time.]
Anyway- 
S-bomb was there to show me our cabin and the lay of the land.  It was far more rustic than I had anticipated, however, as I adapted, I realized it was a very NICE rustic. Extremely well taken care of, with sprawling grounds and gorgeous views of the ocean.

The biggest shock: 
The outhouse.

But wait- let’s back that booty up a sec.

El Coco Loco is a beautiful and unique  

place that is eco-friendly. Which is very intelligent in a country where the power just randomly goes out for a few hours every now and again. Now, I’ve used an outdoor toilet before. However not one that has no water and doesn’t flush. Nope, this baby is straight up COMPOST. 
Yes, kind of a shock at first (once again, lack of research + idiocy on my part). Until you later realize it’s the least smelly bathroom you’ve ever used! 
And how brilliant to feel like your waste is not going to waste! [hee hee]. Plus the staff and people that run the joint are just top-notch. Lovely people who aren’t just beach bums– no no, my friends. This lot is extra-amazing and not just because they’re all pretty easy on the ojos. But they are committed to giving back to the community.  Not only can they drive down the dirt road and address all the local neighbors (and their roosters) by name, but they have done amazing things like BUILD A SCHOOL and give the area children a place to play and learn 2x a week, all through their Waves Of Hope program.  Totally awesome. Completely inspiring.
Speaking of inspiring, did I mention that I SURFED??!?! 
Talk about things I filed in the “probably never able to do” category! But when you have an incredible teacher and support crew, I guess anything is possible. 
Enter: Holly Beck

Surf instructor extraordinaire, Holly, is the one who puts the whole enchilada together. Her surf and yoga retreats, Suave Dulce, offer women (and the occasional dude) a unique adventure that allows you to take whatever you want from the experience. Holly is not only funny and California chillaxed, but her calm-yet-thorough style of teaching is undoubtedly what got all of us first-timers (like moi!) up on our boards and actually riding waves. And the chicks who had surfed before saw noticeable changes and improvements in their skills. How could you not from someone who not only teaches but stands on the beach jumping up and down cheering for you when you get up?  I mean really, what could be better than that kind of positive reinforcement?!  Plus, wouldn’t you want to take lessons from someone who can do this:

She’s got many “circus tricks” as she calls them, but this one was pretty epic to watch. Especially when you’re out there trying to figure out how to simply STAND up on the surfboard without breaking your entire body. 
And, even though Holly does pretty much all activities with the amigas, as she refers to us, it’s not all fun and games. She takes her role as teacher quite seriously. How so? The first day out, I noticed a video camera set up on the beach. I assumed maybe they took some footage of some good waves for us [assuming we caught them!] and that was part of the whole package. Turns out, Holly  tapes us surfing every day, combs through ALL the video, and then reviews it with each of us individually almost every day at breakfast, so we can see what we’re doing wrong, right and areas for improvement. What an amazing tool! That bit of extra effort and care was such an unexpected bonus and greatly appreciated by all. 

Look, Mom! I’m SURFING!

It’s Holly, her attitude, the entire vibe of all the staff at El Coco Loco, (shout out to Jamie!) that made this experience so completely unique and wonderful. Oh, and did I mention crazily, epically, FUN?? 

Holly rooting me on as I ride a “giant” in.


Sonny, yours truly, and Holly 









Even our daily yoga class, atop a lofted, breezy cabana with views of the serene ocean just felt like blissful relaxation, as opposed to “exercise.” It also helps to have an incredibly rad yoga teacher, like Cydney Gurvich.

Me n’ fave Brit chick, Jinx

If you need further proof, see my all-time fave pic from the trip. That’s Holly on the right– perfect herkie and all. Hollaaahh!
Did I mention that the trip also included a little thing called VOLCANO BOARDING
Apparently, it’s #2 on CNN’s “bucket list.” You basically hike your ass up a 1,000ft volcano, Cierra Negro, whilst carrying your board [think: sled]. Once at the top, dressed like a crazy, shrouded Hazmat scientist, you proceed to sled down. 

Me n’ the amigas at the base…
before we knew what we were in for.
Sunday driver.

For some, as fast as possible.  A dude at the bottom is actually holding a radar gun so you can know how fast you’re going. The record is 87mph. I somehow got stuck and went a whopping 10mph. [Ugh]. However the ever-adventurous Holly Beck has made several attempts to break the record. Unfortunately, she ended up breaking her ankle instead. 

This is some serious stuff people!
But what an awesome experience. What a view. What a rush. Well, for some people who went more than 10 mph.[Still bitter]. 
The magical week of what I began referring to as “Adult summer camp” was rounded out by getting to ride horses on the beach at sunset. And, even though I’m from Texas and have ridden many a horse, I’ve never gotten to RUN on a horse. 
Oh man, what a rush! 

Holly said to wear long socks. I took that memo.
It’s windy as a mofo!

Pic by Cydney Gurvich
Me & Crazy Eyes Killer

Here I am with my horse. I named him Crazy Eyes Killer. He did not like me. At. All.


So I could keep going on and on about this uniquely special experience, but really–y’all should just go there and experience it for yourselves. I’ll leave you with some more pics and a supa’ awesome {video} that Holly put together. Too bad vanity has prevented me from posting on Facebook, but I’ll let you guys in!

Sonny and her “sturdy” board
The inimitable Holly Beck
Another bit of Cydney’s magic!

With mejor amiga, Sue. And, killer dogs.

Amazing French resto, Al Cielo.

Me n’ mini Ruth! ummm- Who’s pale?

My awesome surf amigas and Coco Loco staff!

Ahhh…Pura Nica!




How One Woman Turned the Biggest Let Down of Her Career into a Life-Long Venture


I was aware that the bubbly guide was giving me instructions but I couldn’t hear her over the pounding of my heart. With my pulse racing, knuckles white, and a cold sweat covering my body, I shivered. I wasn’t cold; I was scared out of my mind.

I peered over the edge of the largest cinder-cone volcano in the world, clutching the weathered piece of wood that would be responsible for transporting me to the bottom. I watched my fellow adventurers toboggan down the face of the black sand and disappear over the 35-degree drop. Where did they go? Did they just hurdle themselves into a void of nothingness? What if there were a pile of bodies collecting at the base of the volcano that I was unaware of? Was I really going to join them in the stupidity of boarding down the 728-meter face to my hypothetical demise? A clap of thunder jumped my thoughts back up the incline to my current location: the top of Nicaragua’s most active volcano. “What did you say?” I asked the overly enthusiastic tour-guide.

She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted back to me, “It’s time! Off you go now!” Her oblivion to the danger surrounding the situation made me want to throw volcanic ash at her but the reality was, I had wanted to do this. I had specifically come to Leon because I wanted to go volcano-boarding. So off I went, cursing my own enthusiasm and praying I wouldn’t die.

My life had not always been so exciting. In fact only six months earlier, I thought I was destined for a life of lab research, publications, and academia. I was going to be a clinical psychologist. I had gotten straight A’s through college, chosen a psychological field to study, spent four years in laboratories running participants, analyzing data, and writing up journals for publication. I had worked in clinical settings, interned with the top psychologists in the city, and graduated top of my class. I had even been recognized as the Outstanding Graduate of 2010 of my university due to my commitment to the community and diversity. I had applied to over two dozen programs in a span of two years, flown across the country to interview with hundreds of other candidates and gotten nothing but kudos on my background and interpersonal skills. I spent my savings on airfare, hotel rooms, and a spiffy suit to make this dream happen.

At the time, I hadn’t minded the effort because I figured it would pay off once I was in a program working on the next groundbreaking dissertation. I had plans, BIG plans of becoming a renowned academic with an extensive research facility and books based around my years of research. All of this was to be spurred by my entrance into a graduate program on a full ride scholarship.

Naturally, this dream was crushed little by little as I systematically received rejection letters from the schools I applied to, each letter as heartless and superfluous as the last. I remember being shocked, saddened, and in a state of utter disconsolation. I had worked so hard. I had done everything I was told to do. I had followed the American Dream template down to the letter and I was rewarded with a big pile of, “Sorry, there are just too many other overqualified recent graduates with dreams like yours.”

I suddenly had no future, no plans, no expectations. I was literally living in the now. So I reacted like many other have when faced with devastating and life-changing news: I booked a flight out of the country in search of answers. (Okay, so it isn’t what most other people do when they have failed and are depressed beyond recognition, but there wasn’t enough alcohol in Las Vegas to make me feel better). First stop was Nicaragua to meet up with a group of other adventurous women to surf, do community work, and board down the world’s most active cinder-cone volcano. Yep.

At the time I looked at this trip as an escape mechanism, a way for me to avoid the fact that I had failed in every possible manner in my field. As the academic who all my professors and mentors were rooting for, I was the ultimate letdown. I needed some time to tend to my bruised ego and I figured a place in Central America where no one knew my name would be a great start. Little did I know how this experience would completely change my perspective on how to live my life.

We went surfing everyday, slept under mosquito nets, and danced in jungle storms. I went horseback riding down empty beaches and visited with local school children. I remember being so overwhelmed with how much love and welcome we received from the locals. I also remember being shocked by the surrounding group of inspiring, encouraging, and positive women. Coming from a city based around competition and beating the odds, I didn’t think it was possible for so many women to coexist and selflessly love and support one another. We were like Captain Planet and the Planeteers. Each of us embodied unique qualities and when our powers united, we were unstoppable.

Our adventure together would reach its apex when we decided to partake in this volcano-boarding excursion. We would make the treacherous hike up the side of the volcano in the middle of a storm carrying metal-slated boards. We would get soaked to the core trying to beat the lightning to our destination. We would sit on our boards at what seemed like the edge of the earth, trusting our fates to the ash below us. As I slid down the face of the volcano, I tried to remember experiencing a more surreal moment. I couldn’t think of one (Though to my credit, it’s hard to concentrate when getting covered in black soot and trying not to wipeout). I reached the bottom of the cinder-cone safely, never having felt more alive.

I flew back to the states with an entire new intention and goal in life. I now wanted to live, to experience all that the world had to offer, to drink in those once-in-a-lifetime moments that you only see in Redbull commercials. Getting rejected from graduate school had just been the unexpected beginning. Nicaragua had served as the motivation and the women I met were my inspiration. I started looking at everyday as an adventure, an opportunity to try something unique, to experience something amazing. The more I opened myself up to the possibilities that life had to offer, the more I found life opened up to me.

Since returning from Nicaragua I have had some amazing experiences. I’ve gone on surfing up and down the California coast, zip-lined down the Las Vegas Strip, gone rock climbing, hiking, learned how to snowboard and play the guitar, trained tigers and bears, worked on Hollywood movie sets, swam with sea lions, and this is only the beginning! I try to find a way to make everyday memorable, everyday a little more special than typical. The more enthusiasm I greet each sunrise with the more satisfaction I get out of the day.

This time last year I was looking ten years in the future and trying to impress all those around me in the hopes it would get me somewhere. I was working eighteen-hour days trying to be the ‘perfect student’. I was miserable and didn’t even realize it. And I honestly believe that if not for that pile of rejection letters, I would be stuffed in a basement laboratory somewhere right now trying to find the right statistical analysis to use on my research. Oh, and I would be dying a little inside each day.

What I thought was the biggest failure of my life ended up being a blessing. Sometimes I think about writing to each of those schools and thanking them for their decision, including a postcard from whatever country I’m visiting. Without being forcefully pushed off the path I so desperately wanted, I never would have found my true purpose: to enjoy life.

Sometimes you have to stumble, struggle, and surrender to the flow of the universe to achieve greatness. And as much as I wanted to fight what my destiny had deemed inevitable, I have learned that it’s easier to ride the horse in the direction it’s going.

So here I am writing this to you now, squished tightly in the back of an SUV on my way to California for three days of adventure. I really don’t know what awaits me but I do know this: it will be an experience to remember. And if you are only to take away one thing from this, I hope it is this: everyday is a day worth remembering, even if it seems tragic. Regardless of what kind of life you live or where you are, you are in charge of your life story. Will your challenges and failures bring you down or will you make them into adventures? Will you allow yourself to be trapped by social standards or will you break through them and create your own ideals? Will you follow what your heart wants or will you do what you think represents social success?

My story isn’t over yet; I know have years of travel and adventure ahead of me. But it’s time for you to start writing yours. Don’t worry; the world isn’t as scary of a place as we make it out to be. And if you ever need reminding that you can do anything, just get a hold of me. I’m happy to be your supporter.

Hilary Billings is a Las Vegas scholar who became a nomadic adventurer after receiving 14 rejection letters from doctoral programs. Searching for answers on what to do next in her life, she works on Hollywood sets with A-list celebrities, travels the world, and recounts her unpredictable life in Las Vegas that involves one too many encounters with lions.

Want to follow Hilary’s travels?
Read her blog: Nomad Grad

Follow her on twitter! @TheNomadGrad

Ako Matsuzaki’s Thank You Letter


To Suave Dulce,

I just wanted to quickly pop in say a huge – and I mean HUGE thank you for a making my first trip to Nicaragua a trip I will never forget. What a treat it was to be able to wake up to the sound of the waves, not to mention the natural alarm clock of the birds outside. The past two days, I have opened my eyes to only see concrete walls of my apartment and to the sound of cars. Yes, hot showers and flushing toilets are nice (though I’ve found myself hesitating to flush – ha) but for a lack of better word, being back home has royally SUCKED ASS.

Even though I’m still just a beginner, surfing has taught me so much about life in general; every wave is different and so I need to be flexible and adjust accordingly. The harder I fight things, sometimes the more difficult it gets – and even if I fall, all I need to do is just get right back up on my board because there is always another wave waiting for me. I may get tumbled under water and have no idea what’s happening, but if I just stop and take a moment to surrender, eventually – and naturally, I will find my way up and it’s all going to be okay.

What made this trip even more memorable was to be able to see all the “GOOD” that el Coco Loco and Waves of Hope are doing for the local community. I have walked away from this trip not only feeling touched – but truly inspired by the amazing work and love they are giving back and hope that one day, when I get my “big girl job” back, that I will be able to due my part in making a difference, even if it is to help one little boy or girl at a time. With that said, I will do my best to spread the word about Waves of Hope to my friends and family as well as your camp – but will also be sure to be slightly selective so I don’t crowd the secret and perfect surf spot you have found on the map 🙂

Thank you again for allowing me to have an amazing opportunity to see the world and learn through surfing – and being an awesome & inspiring woman, Holly! I hope this week will be just as much fun as last week and please tell everyone I said hello and I miss them already!

With love, dreams and hopes of making a difference,
Ako

Stacey Jones calls it “star-planet-magic”


Stacey Jones from Canada:
“It was star-planet-magic. I really didn’t know what to expect and was pretty nervous finally meeting my favorite pro surfer since 2001 (I still have the magazine from 2001 with an epic photo of Holly on the cover of Surfing Girl, tell me if that is not the raddest picture of a girl surfing– ever!!!) So after a year of trying to sort out dates, and much anticipation to meet Holly, the opportunity finally came. I was very happy to join what might go down in Suave Dulce’s history as the coolest group of chicas to rock Nica’s coastline ever! It was pretty neat to see so many like-minded ladies coming together. All in all, the very best part was hanging with everyone and that was not what I was expecting! (well and the volcano boarding, horseback riding, surfing and YOGA! whew, we did a lot in one week)!!!

Life Lessons from Surfing



Michelle Steffes came to a retreat a few months ago and stood up on her first wave on day 1. After a few days acquainting herself with the ocean, her board, and her pop-up, she became determined to paddle outside and catch a “green” wave. By the end of the week, after a lot of great support and coaching, she achieved her goal.
A few weeks after her trip, she was inspired to write the following.
Thanks Michelle!

Headed out for one last wave before sunset.

I sit on my board
And watch the wave rise up and tower over me
White foam beginning to crest at the peak
“Uh oh,” I whisper
From miles below

A moment later
As I hang upside down
In the churning maelstrom
One leg yanked roughly toward shore
By the leash around my ankle
The other throbbing from a fresh wound
Lungs aching for air
And ears popping painfully

I think about the choices I’ve made in my life
The many times I’ve lingered sideways
In the path of tsunamis
Paralyzed by indecision

Neither intrepid enough
To charge toward shore
Leap to my feet
And ride to victory

Nor sensible enough
To give up early
Hold my breath
Dive for the sea floor and curl into a ball
While I wait for the worst of the destruction to pass.

Michelle, confidently up and riding on a nice little insider.