[youtube=http://youtu.be/_7NvH65QDeM]
Part two of our January Retreat Highlights package – here’s more surfing action plus some horseback riding and the ladies give back with Waves of Hope by helping to finish the Olas De Esperanza High School project and get it ready for students.
[youtube=http://youtu.be/rqUC4g5F1so]
#2 on CNN’s “Thrill Seeker’s Bucket List”, volcano boarding is a crazy experience that will get your adrenaline pumping and give you lots of stories to tell friends at home. It’s just one of the awesome adventures that you’ll experience on a week with Surf With Amigas. Of course, there’s surfing too. Always surfing…
Come experience it!
[youtube=http://youtu.be/YaTNbb7M-EU]
After a few months off and a few retreats in El Salvador, the Amigas are back in Nicaragua for the dry season. The week of November 9th kicked off the new season with an awesome group of Amigas who were completely shredding in the water, upside down on the sand, and racing on horseback.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znKwDsP1hgE]
Introducing a new dance move called “the pelican swat” in between super fun waves at Sunzal, the girls from Amigas Surf and Yoga Retreats are always having a good time!
The “pelican swat” dance move originated when Holly was teasing Nadia about her tendency to arm flail. Holly happens to have unusually long arms (the better to carry your longboard for you!) and suggested that if she flailed like Nadia she’d end up swatting pelicans left and right. And just like that, a new dance move was born!
We’re doing retreats at this location in October! Come play! See the Schedule for details!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7v0IhZaD4EU]
We like to boogie. We know how to get down. We are usually in bed by 9pm so we can get up early and shred, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t time for a little Salsa!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqqlPrEVkPk]
They may look like humans but their mermaid fins are revealed the moment they hit the saltwater. They nurture their muscles while mixing cement to build a high school for Nicaraguan children, then dive into the ocean at sunset after a few sips of cold beer. The life of an Amiga.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqUzEZcogCo]
There’s nothing like galloping at full speed down the beach at sunset after a morning spent trying to catch the wave of your life. Think you wouldn’t be able to fully gallop down the beach on a horse? You’re wrong! Believe in yourself and you can do it! Just watch these ladies…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tI73UTbobEs]
Winter in Nicaragua is nice. Offshore winds, super fun waves, lots of Amigas. In between pushing Amigas into waves, I sometimes get a chance to sneak off and score a few fun waves by myself!
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpAVosDrUoU]
The secret to improving is to come on a retreat with us, then go home, practice, and come back again! Seriously though, the true secret to improving is having a great attitude. On our last couple retreats in El Salvador we had several girls come on their second retreat and I was totally blown away not only by how much they had improved since I’d last seen them but also how much more they improved over the course of the week.
I started wondering what it was that was different about these particular girls. Were they more gifted athletes? Were they just trying harder? Did they have super powers?
I realized that the secret was attitude. Firstly, they really wanted to improve. They were willing to put in the time and effort to take their surfing to the next level. Second, they listened to feedback. It’s always surprising to me when ladies come on retreats claiming they want help, but when I offer suggestions they argue with me. I’ll give a recommendation and then they’ll respond with a list of reasons why they couldn’t, wouldn’t, or shouldn’t. Those types have a hard time improving. The girls featured in the video took suggestions in and put them them into practice right away, and you can clearly see the awesome results.
Third – they spent a lot of time in the water. These girls were the first in, and the last out. After catching one good wave, they didn’t just go in and figure that was good for the day, they paddled back out looking for another.
Watch the video and be inspired!
Jackie George is my new best female friend. Last November I got a random email from her saying she was a lifeguard, raft guide, and enthusiastic surfer looking for a couple weeks of work in Central America. She had just graduated from Humboldt State and was planning to take a big trip through Nicaragua and Costa Rica and wanted to pick up some extra money along the way. I happened to be on a road trip through Northern California at the time and met up with her for a few minutes over-looking the Humboldt surf spot called Camel Rock. My boyfriend Kim and I had slept in our truck the night before and showed up around 9am with coffee looking disheveled. Jackie was in her wetsuit, having already surfed, all bubbly smiling happy energy and I knew right away that she would be a perfect addition to our commune in Nicaragua! She started out with two weeks in January and after that I was determined to do whatever I could to not let her leave! Fortunately, it worked and she stayed the whole season and has agreed to come back in Fall. Stoked!
Everyone who meets her absolutely loves her. She is a gorgeous free-spirit with infectious positive energy who can smile through anything. You’ll love hanging out with her. Check out this video and you’ll see what I mean…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg6TEFkuy6Q]
