It’s super sunny in Nicaragua and we spend long hours in the surf. Our eyes get fried. Our lips blister. Wrinkles are multiplying! Fortunately, we came across these sweet little hats by Surf Munkey. They are really light weight and totally comfortable! We plan to order a bunch to include in our Suitcase Boutique very soon! Here’s a silly video from the first day we tested them out including some interesting synchronized surfing by Jackie and Jam Slam. Enjoy!
Sophie is an awesome Amiga from the UK who works for Cooler Magazine and Oakley. Needless to say, she’s hip, stylish, and tons of fun to hang out with. Unfortunately, she lives in London and doesnt get to surf very often. In a week of surfing with amigas, she improved so much as you can see in this video. We can’t wait to have her come back and take it a few steps further!
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As an instructor, it’s really fun to surf with a group that is fearless, willing to listen to instruction, and just go for it! We started out with 3 ladies in the whitewash on day 1, but by day 2, they were all outside trying to catch green waves. Everyone was super stoked, which makes our jobs as instructors so easy! Check them out shredding!
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A few times a year we offer super surf focused (with some yoga thrown in) retreats for Amigas who either already came to a womens surf yoga retreat Nicaragua or can prove that they know how to surf, but want to improve. This group is one of the best we’ve ever had, which makes it really fun and easy for me! It feels just like a surf trip with friends! Check out the awesome shredding at the super user-friendly wave called Las Flores in El Salvador! This footage is only from the first day. Wait til you see what happened later in the week after all the video feedback!
Yonghee learned to surf at a different surf camp in Nicaragua a year ago but didn’t feel like she really learned properly. She came to Suave Dulce wanting to un-learn and re-learn everything. By the third day she had it figured out and was getting super long rides. She claimed it felt amazing, fantastical, and was therapeutic.
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 waveLindsay 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
Cydney Gurvich:
“I initially sought yoga as a physical balance to enhance my surfing, snowboarding, basketball, and other high impact sports; I soon discovered yoga as a deep and transformative practice in my life. I developed a deeper sense of compassion and confidence while strengthening the connection between mind and body, and the relationships with the people I love.
I’ve been practicing yoga since 2006, and completed my 200 hour yoga teacher training in April 2011 with Semperviva Yoga studios. I am Yoga Alliance Certified in classical Hatha. I was fortunate enough to study with such inspirational teachers as Seane Corn, Janet Stone, Gloria Latham, and Cameron Gilley. I have been teaching since April at various studios in Vancouver. I have also completed a number of classes for charity organizations (such as Easter Seals) with plans to continue weekly charity classes in June and July with 100% proceeds going to my favorite charity, Waves of Hope.
My classes are a mix of Hatha and Vinyasa Flow, integrating alignment, core work, and breathing techniques with basic poses and creative sequencing. Each class is designed to energize the body, calm the mind and give greater vitality and health. It is my dream to take students to Nicaragua to practise yoga and experience the raw beauty of the country and it’s people.
Want to join us on the next Learn to Surf, Yoga, Adventure Retreat? Check out the schedule for upcoming dates through March 2012, we may add more dates for April and June soon, stay tuned…. Schedule
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Jackie learned to surf at age 40. Seven years later she is one of the most stylish ladies to visit Suave Dulce so far. From her smooth riding on a classic yellow 8’0 quad fin, to the braided pigtails down the volcano, and wine bottle cork tricks at cocktail hour, I want to be Jackie when I grow up!
Rhea Manalo is 37 years old and has lived most of her life in the Philippines. She came to Suave Dulce to learn to overcome an intense fear of the ocean and fulfill her dream of riding a wave. It was a week-long process starting with just getting comfortable standing waist-deep in the water, but by the end Rhea stood up on a board and rode a few waves all the way to the sand. She was overcome with emotion. Everyone who witnessed her success was so proud of her and very inspired. Anything is possible!
