Introducing Skyla and Michelle, two East Coasters who have joined the Surf With Amigas team for the first part of 2014.
Skyla Lamberto-Egan – Surf Instructor
Skyla grew up the youngest of 5 (3 brothers and a sister) on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Shes been active in the water since she was a baby, whether it was boogieboarding, bodysurfing, longboarding, shortboarding or just building sandcastles on the shore. Her father and brothers taught her to surf and with her sister shredding nearby and her mom charging it on a bodyboard, a deep love for the ocean quickly developed.
Skylas travels began with family camping trips down to Sebastian Inlet, Florida and since then she has made it a goal to go somewhere every year. Working in a seasonal, tourist industry centered town, Skyla is able to take a break from massaging and waiting tables to venture out into the world. Any escape from the cold, winter winds delights her senses and inspires her to keep going. She currently has been to Central America, Spain, Samoa, Fiji, New Zealand, Thailand and all over the United States.
When Skyla isnt in the water, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Bonfires in the backyard, relaxing on the beach, watching sunrises, casual bikerides, or making fun activities like crafting kites out of paper bags, chopsticks and a lot of tape. Shes always down for an adventure and loves to meet new people who are active and ready to try new things!
Michelle Kienlen
Michelle, 23, was born in Black River Falls, Wisconsin and moved to St Petersburg, Florida at the age of 6. Growing up fishing, playing softball and a few musical instruments she was not introduced to surfing until the age of 15. That first wave was all it took and she was hooked. Surfing instantly turned into a passion. Her parents were unsupportive but as soon as Michelle was 16 she drove across the state every weekend to surf the Atlantic side of Florida and learned to surf. She picked up a few small sponsors including Nekton surf shop, NXTC shapes, Zinka, and DNA energy drinks. With the support of Tommy Daniels shaping her boards and coaching, Michelle started avidly competing, surfing small waves in ESA and local pro-am contests all around Florida. After that, she decided to start traveling in search of better waves in between school and work. At the age of 19 a close friend brought her and her friend Nina to Puerto Rico. They loved the perfect Caribbean waves and took many trips back to PR to surf. Since then Michelle has traveled to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Hawaii, and El Salvador. She is currently taking classes online and working at the Don Cesar hotel on St Pete Beach florida, when not surfing with and inspiring Amigas.