big waves - Surf With Amigas

Amigas Surf A Long Period Swell in Nicaragua

on February 24, 2017February 23, 2017 By hollybeck27

When a particularly big and unseasonal swell popped up on the surf forecast in February, the team of instructors at Surf With Amigas responded with excitement. It was an opportunity to teach the crew how to read a surf forecast and just what it means when there’s a long period swell (vs. a short period). The waves were pumping, and while it was a bit too big on the very biggest waves, we got some really great rides, along with some awesome wipeouts.

Amigas Charge Huge Waves in Nicaragua

on February 20, 2017February 20, 2017 By hollybeck27

I absolutely love getting Amigas into big waves. Ok, i’ll admit it, I do prefer when looking at the surf forecast while planning the retreat week, it shows small to medium sized surf. It just makes life easier that way. But when I saw a swell forecasted to be 22″, I also got really excited. During the retreat, we offered a course on how to read surf forecasts to explain what the period number actually means. Standby for a blog post on that….
For now you can check out the photos below to see what that long period swell means! (hint. big waves!).

Our team of surf instructors were on it, guaranteeing that all the Amigas stayed safe even amongst very large waves breaking over a rock bottom. Each of the ladies who challenged the point got at least one large wave, and many rode theirs all the way to the beach to the cheers of the ladies on the inside. It was a magical and inspiring day! Check out some photo highlights below…

A couple of our shortboarders prepare to paddle out in the channel.

Just one of the very large waves rolling through the point.

This is Liz on one of the friendlier waves of the day. She was able to get in early on her 9’4 and rode it all the way in to the sand.

This is Karen’s 40th birthday wave. She didn’t have a ton of prior surfing experience, and definitely none in waves this size, but it was her birthday and she wanted to try. Our instructor Hannah got her into this bomb, and she believed in herself and nearly made it to her feet before a spectacular wipeout. Way to charge!

Here’s Jen on a smaller cleaner wave from the day before the swell really picked up.

Here’s Jen on a bigger wave the following day.

Jen was overcoming her fear of large waves, but always seemed to find the biggest waves of the day. This one was a bit frothy at the start, but she took her time getting up, found her balance, and then rode it all the way to the sand!

Not every wave was giant. Some were clean and perfect. Here Holly demonstrates proper cutback technique.

Surf instructors Holly and Chloe showing up in the early morning light.

Cindy had to sit out on one of the more manageable days, nursing a really intense bruise on her thigh due to being hit with a fin. So on the biggest day, she was eager to make up for lost time. This was the first wave of the morning. She is demonstrating perfect cobra technique.

Here’s Cindy on the inside of the same wave in the previous picture. She rode it all the way in to the beach.

Aura is always on the hunt for tube rides.

Brooke was inspired by Aura and searching out some tubes of her own.

Every time someone was up on a wave the cheering squad on the beach would erupt in super loud cheers that could be easily heard out in the lineup. It helps having that kind of support and inspiration to push your limits!

Big Waves and Waterfalls in El Salvador

on October 20, 2015October 20, 2015 By hollybeck27

El Salvador is probably the most challenging location that Surf With Amigas frequents. Sunzal is a swell magnet so any bit of swell produces well overhead waves. This week we had solid swell the entire time and the Amigas had to overcome fear to rise to the challenge.

May Retreat Highlights

on June 5, 2014February 18, 2015 By hollybeck27

To start off our summer series, the week of May 24th was blessed/cursed with pretty solid surf. After spending the first couple of days at the bay, we moved over to the point for the rest of the week. The Amigas handled it. Even ladies who had never surfed before were outside paddling into green waves and riding them all the way in by the end of the week. It was really inspiring!

Amigas Charge Big Waves at Sunzal

on October 15, 2013February 18, 2015 By hollybeck27

[youtube=http://youtu.be/0s9fd6JxCvE]

On day two of the retreat the girls pushed themselves into bigger waves than they had thought possible. Think you couldn’t handle waves like this? Neither did these girls until they showed up, and with the help of the Surf With Amigas staff, they were able to charge!

Amigas Charge the Point

on June 26, 2013February 18, 2015 By hollybeck27

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSWkjQPTZI0]

It’s the rainy season which means slightly bigger waves. After a few warmup days at the bay the swell picked up even bigger and we took the Amigas out into waves that were a little larger than we normally like. The Amigas totally handled it. They trusted their instructors and went for it! Sometimes they went for it so hard that they rode all the way into the rocks. Fortunately everyone came up smiling and we had some great stories for later.