Category: Location Options

New Retreat Location – Central Nicaragua August 2-9 2015

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solid roomIn our never-ending quest to add more awesome retreat locations we stumbled upon a hidden gem in Central Nicaragua.

I’d been eyeing this zone for a few years but had never taken the time to drive down and check it out. On a week off in February (while the rest of the staff was raging in Bocas) my husband Kim and I packed up Luna and cruised a couple hours down South to explore El Transito and the Solid Surf Camp.

Screen Shot 2015-02-17 at 7.29.28 AM I had seen photos online of the owner, Allison, shredding the waves out front and was eager to meet her and check the surf out for myself. We were thinking of possibly adding the location to our list of retreat options, but really, I just wanted to get away on our first surf trip as a family of three and catch some waves myself!

The waves were pretty small that first afternoon, but I grabbed my Rusty Dwart and ran out front. It was small but super fun and I couldn’t help starting to imagine Amigas loving it!holly solid out front 2holly solid out front

The next day the swell started slowly filling in and I surfed all four spots! I got some super Amiga-friendly rides right out front, caught a punchy right and did a bunch of turns at the peak just down the beach and even had fun on the gentle left point at the farthest South end of the beach on my shortboard. On a fish or a longboard it would have been even better!

holly solid

After an hour, I went to check on the baby and since she was still asleep, I walked down the beach to the right to scope out the thumpy hollow wave. There was no one in sight and I paddled out and straight into the best wave of my trip – a sweet left tube! During breakfast I watched Allison get some sweet rides out front.

solid allison2 solid allison

After breakfast we went back to the hollow beach break so my husband Kim could surf it. The sun was strong but we set up a shade on the beach for the mamas and babies (the sister in law of the owner was in town with her 8 month old) and Kim paddled out and caught a couple of good ones.

holly luna shade solidkim pistons

We had to take off that afternoon as there was a group of Amigas showing up the next day for a retreat in Northern Nica, but as we were driving off I snapped this pic with my phone and decided we absolutely need to bring Amigas for a retreat!

Screen Shot 2015-02-17 at 7.28.58 AMWe were able to find a week that works and are so stoked to announce a new retreat August 2-9, 2015. All the info is available here.

Send me an email for more info or to sign up!

[email protected]

South Nicaragua Retreat July 19-26 – Only a Few Spots Left!

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[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FM2uwTYBCY]

We only do it once a year, but it’s a pretty special experience. We’ll stay at a gorgeous location situated on a rocky outcrop with ocean visible almost 270 degrees. The food is amazing (like seriously amazing), the waves are super duper cute (several surf spots to choose from – all within walking distance), there’s WiFi, AirCon, and real flush toilets right in your room!

The retreat is limited to just 12 spots and as of May 15th, we’re over half full with several on the list promising to send in their deposits within the next week. If you’re interested, get on it! Check out all the info here and email [email protected] with questions and to sign up!

Check out the video from last year if you need further convincing! It’s going to be awesome!

Spring Retreat in Southern Costa Rica

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Previously, we had avoided planning any retreats in Costa Rica because Costa Rica is so overdone. Instead, we’ve been focusing on less common locations like Nicaragua, El Salvador, and the Philippines. But as a goofy-footer, I’ve always eyed those long lefts at Pavones with amazement. It’s time to go check them out! Anyone want to surf super long lefts with me?p sd-mata-pavones2-4-1-5

Like any world class wave, Pavones can be crowded. So, we’ll stay at a mellow place in the jungle about a ten minute drive (or 20 min bike ride) from the point. This place has a private little wave right out front that is super easy and user-friendly when small, and more powerful and tubular when the swell is bigger. The nice thing, is that we should have it mostly to ourselves! There are several other waves within walking distance of where we’ll stay which will be awesome for the afternoon sessions. We can even hop in a boat and check out some rights across the bay!

p Allison_pavonesp3 girl stand up p3 girl shredp girl surfer

We’ll hit up the main spot at off times to try to avoid the worst of the crowd and we’re going slightly early in the season, so it shouldn’t be too bad. Plus, we’ll paddle out in a pack of bikinis and smiles, so that should definitely work in our favor!

The place we’ll stay is nestled in between jungle and ocean. This region in Costa Rica is regarded as one of the most biologically diverse places in the world. There’s a nature trail from the hotel to a waterfall where we’ll check out monkeys! We’ll go on an adventure to a native indigenous village. We’ll relax and reconnect with nature.

p2 hike-9 p2 hike-5paardrijden-4 p Scott-Alexander-Surfer-Girl-Nataly-Bernold-01

The accommodations only have space for 10 amigas and while some of the rooms are slightly more eco-friendly than others, all are super comfortable.

p rancho buricap burica porch terra vistap burica Inside-Ola-vista p burica Jungle-lodge-frontp burica boathouse porch p burica boathous-inside

There will be yoga too of course!

p2 yoga p2 yoga 2

Retreat details

Dates: March 29 – April 5, April 6 – 13

Price: $1700
Includes:
– Transfer to/from the resort to/from the Golfito Airport
– 7 nights accommodation in a shared room
– All meals (alcoholic beverages are extra)
– Surf coaching/instruction with video feedback
– Surfboard rental (if you can’t bring your own)
– Daily yoga
– Other adventures

Travel info:
Fly into San Jose Costa Rica on whatever airline works best for where you’re flying from.
Connect with Sansa Regional Airlines and get a flight from San Jose to Golfito. They have three flights per day and flights look about $103 each way ($206 roundtrip).
We’ll pick you up at the Golfito airport.

For booking info, contact [email protected]

Check out this video of an 8 year old girl loving the long lefts of Pavones

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrLcfAxtE0o]

And to see what 4 years of surfing awesome long lefts can do for your surfing, here she is at 12 years old!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6LBlV2CG4w]

Surf Yoga Adventure in the Philippines

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Let’s go somewhere new!

Introducing a brand new destination outside of Central America!
April 14-21 and 22-29 2013 we’ll be escorting a group of 8-10 ladies each week to a secret hideaway in the Philippines. We’ll be staying at a collection of beachfront bungalows with a boat right out front that will zip us out to the spots.
$1,700 includes everything except your plane flight to Siargao and alcohol.

Important Travel Info!
COMING TO SIARGAO:
Flying from the US to the Philippines using Los Angeles as the example city:
Asiana, Korean and Cathay Pacific seem to have the best prices right now (Sept. 20 Expedia searches showed between $1100-1300 From LA to Cebu). Cathay was $1300 and had the best schedule and this is what I suggest:
Using Cathay Pacific, departing LA at 1:30AM and arriving Cebu at 11:30AM+1 day. So you should depart LA on Friday, April 12 (and remember, since that’s 1:30AM you would check in at the LA airport the night of Thursday April 11).

The little flight from Cebu to the Island of Siargao (see below) isn’t until the following morning but arriving at 11:30am will allow you the whole afternoon to relax, stretch, start dealing with jetlag and recuperate from the long journey so that when you show up to your final destination (the retreat!) you’ll be fired up and ready for adventure!!!

The other airlines might be fine too and a bit cheaper- they just get into Cebu close to midnight (not much recovery time) and flying back to the US they leave close to midnight so you’ll have to spend all day in Cebu when you connect from Siargao coming back. Philippine Airlines also flies this route but flights were $1660 when I checked, maybe that will change?? Maybe other airlines too, you may want to check yourself.

As far as we know, you will need to stay overnight in Cebu no matter which airline you fly on the way there as the only connecting flights to Siargao are in the morning (schedule below). Rest and recover for the day or explore Cebu. Here are a few hotel recommendations we have from friends in the area:

Hotel Options in Cebu
Alta Cebu- on the same island as the airport. A resort setting with a nice pool, rooms a bit dated but still nice, the owner is American. Nothing else close by to do near this hotel but plenty to see/do on its grounds (relax!).
http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g2273715-d634366-Reviews-ALTA_Cebu_Resort-Cordova_Mactan_Island_Cebu_Visayas.html

Summit Circle Hotel- further from airport, small and dark but nice, it is above a shopping center (bonus aircon and good food choices) and recently renovated, in the heart of the city, review link:
http://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g298460-d455425-Reviews-Summit_Circle_Hotel-Cebu_City_Cebu_Visayas.html

Others, close to airport for late arrivals:
Park Hill Hotel
1,000php for 2 people.
2 minutes from the airport. 50php in a taxi, but at night give them a bit extra for the hassle of loosing que to a 2 min trip. 100php. Just tell them it’s the first left after the Day’s Inn hotel on airport road.
http://www.hotelparkhill.com/
Phone: 63 32 494-0749 Address: Park Hill Hotel Cebu, Matumbo Road, Pusok, Lapu-Lapu city , Cebu,

Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino
PHP 5,000 if you book on www.wotif.com
Address:
http://www.waterfronthotels.com.ph/waterfront/waterfront-airport-hotel-casino/
Phone: 63 32 340-4888
Address: 1 Airport Road Lapu-Lapu City, 6015 Cebu, Philippines
Great buffet breakfast.

Flying to Siargao
The next morning you must fly on a Cebu Pacfic domestic flight to Siagao (about $100 round trip)- you can book on their website:
http://www.cebupacificair.com/Pages/FlightSchedule.aspx
Cebu Pacific schedule:
M, W, F, SU 10:20AM departure, 11:10AM arrival
M, F 9:15-10:05

For the April 14 retreat, please schedule the Sunday April 14th flight.

RETURN FLIGHTS:
For April 14 retreat, return on Sunday, April 21
Cebu Pacific Siagao-Cebu schedule:
M, W, F, SU 11:30AM-12:20PM
M, F 10:25-11:15

Make sure you book your US return for after 3pm or later to be safe!

The Philippines are well-known for a world-class surf spot called Cloud 9. It’s a reef break with hollow rights that attracts surfers from all over the world. We’ll be staying very close to Cloud 9 but will be focusing on other more user-friendly waves in the area.

There are cute lefts and rights for Amigas of all levels but most waves will be breaking over reef, so this isn’t a retreat for first-time surfers. To attend this retreat you must have come already to Nicaragua or El Salvador, or be able to prove to me that you are capable of paddling out and catching a wave on your own. You don’t have to be a complete ripper, we’ll help you improve, but you must already know how to catch your own wave.


We’ll be staying at a place called GreenHouse with awesome bungalows right on the beach and delicious food. Cyd Connor from Sukhaline.com will be joining us as yoga teacher. Cyd is a friend of ours who taught yoga during the 2011/2012 season and she is awesome!
Other activities will include snorkeling, diving, hiking, waterfalls, caving, experiencing local culture, and eating awesome food!

Philippines lifestyle and surfstyle:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeVWv_aT0GA&feature=plcp]

Check out some footage (below) from a Roxy contest at Siargao the first week of May 2011. You get an idea of the beauty of the ocean there and a little taste of what Cloud 9 looks like. We most likely won’t spend much time there since there are other less-crowded waves around but if we get a few girls that want to try to get tubes, we can go check it out!
[vimeo http://vimeo.com/42174348]

El Salvador Surf Yoga Adventure Retreat

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8axe1CjbDU]

Long Rights and Volcanic Mud Bathing! If you have already mastered riding whitewash and want to catch your first green wave, if you’ve already caught a bunch of green waves and want to learn how to cutback, if you know how to turn and want to get tubed…. this is the retreat for you!

Las flores is one of the longest, most playful, user-friendly waves i’ve ever surfed. Check out what a retreat in El Salvador is all about by clicking play above!

 

Surf Coaching, Yoga, and Adventure Retreat in Nicaragua Info

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Escape reality for a week of unforgettable adventure in Northern Nicaragua!

It all starts with surfing.
Whether you are ready to catch your very first wave, become more confident in the water, transition to riding a shortboard, or improve your existing skills while making new surfing friends, we will help you achieve your goals. There are great waves for beginners, advanced beginners, intermediate, and experienced surfers all within walking distance. Getting you into the best waves is our top priority. If you are willing to think positively, push yourself, and listen to feedback you will leave the retreat a better surfer.

A perfect beginner’s wave
Lindsay McDonald from Halifax Canada on the wave of her trip!

After surfing we’ll do yoga.
Yoga is so good for your body and mind. After a morning at the beach and an awesome meal, we’ll head up to the elevated ocean-view yoga studio. Yoga is a great way for surfers to work on core strength, flexibility, balance, and breathing. The yoga sessions will vary between strength building and restorative yoga. The instructor will provide modifications of poses so that every yogi will feel supported and challenged.



Afternoon Adventures
If the wind cooperates and the waves are good in the afternoon, we’ll head back to the beach for a second surf session. Otherwise we’ll set off on an adventure. We’ll hop on horseback and gallop down the beach, take a day-trip to the colonial city of Leon and hike up, then board down an active volcano, get dressed up and indulge in incredible French food at a hilltop restaurant with a 360 degree view. If conditions permit we may take a boat cruise to check out a secret surf spot.


The Difference
The difference between Surf With Amigas and other women’s surf and yoga retreats is attitude and experience. Unlike other places where the instructors are barely intermediate surfers themselves, when you stay with us you will be coached and supported by a program put in place by Holly Beck, a professional surfer with a keen eye for how to help you specifically improve. We video every session and go over the footage so that you can see what you’re doing right and what little changes might help you really improve.

We also create a culture of support. The other girls will become your new surfing sisters, yelling and cheering and clapping and dancing in celebration of your awesome rides. You just don’t get that anywhere else.

$1,900 all inclusive package includes ($1,800 early bird special if booked 3 months in advance):
– two way airport transfer (if you get a flight that arrives on the first date of the retreat and departs on the last day.)
– 7 nights accommodation in a shared cabana
– 4 deliciously healthy meals per day (early morning cold breakfast, post-surf hot breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
– all beverages except alcohol
– daily surf lessons and video coaching
– all afternoon activities such as yoga, horseback riding, volcano boarding, estuary cruising, and other surprises
– video footage of you riding the best wave of your life (photos are sometimes available at a small additional cost depending on availability of photographer)

Typical Daily Schedule looks like this:
6:30am wake up for buffet breakfast of coffee, juice, cereal, toast, yogurt, fruit
7:30am – 11am surfing, surfing, surfing!
11:30am delicious lunch
2pm yoga
4pm second surf session or other adventure
7pm dinner with new friends

See the Schedule Link for available dates

A 50% deposit secures your spot. Contact [email protected] for booking info or other questions

Co-ed or Couples Surf, Yoga, and Adventure Retreat in Eco Luxury

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Retreat weeks available:
August 6 – 13
August 14 – 21

Pricing
Couples (price per person): $2,450
Single: $3,350

7 night all-inclusive package includes:
– Two way airport transfer
– Eco-luxury accommodation at La Bahia
– Three deliciously healthy meals a day
– Surf lessons and surf guidance by professional surfer Holly Beck
– Daily yoga classes
– Afternoon adventures (horseback riding, estuary boat cruise, volunteering with Waves of Hope, etc.)

Extras:
Surfboard rentals ($150 per week)
Drinks

Booking: email [email protected]


La Bahia is an intimate peaceful eco-friendly resort located on one of Nicaragua’s most beautiful beaches. Situated on the beach side of a 19 acre teak farm, La Bahia has a swimming pool, restaurant, bar, and four beautifully constructed cabanas.

Each cabana has a king-sized bed, deck, hammock, ceiling fan, open air bathroom, unobstructed ocean views, and a private beach path – perfect for couples or individuals looking to escape city life for peace and tranquility. After spending a week here you’ll be searching through apartment finder websites and all over the internet to make the scenery
permanent! Imagine waking up everyday with this view, rest, relaxation, recreation and surfing.