life changing - Surf With Amigas

We love keeping in touch and hearing from Amigas after their week with us. Sometimes it’s an email to ask for suggestions on what type of board to invest in. Sometimes it’s a photo of ladies who met on a retreat in wetsuits in the snow, or in Cabo, or at Coachella. Other times it’s a note of gratitude like the one below. Roisin joined us on our Southern Nicaragua Retreat in 2013. Thanks for sending Ro!

This email is really about sending a BIG overdue THANK YOU to You, Jackie, Nadia and Nikki for being instrumental people in a life changing year that was 2013. I knew something new and cool was on the horizon for me. I just couldn’t figure out how the fuck to get there! Until Surf With Amigas.

Divorce, an ailing father, quitting my shitty job in New York City and a big nudge from my friend Emily all led me to the Amigas. I went down with a HUGE fear of the water, a weakened spirit, and out of shape muscles. Holly you got me on my first wave and I will never forget it!! Looking at the video, not sure who was more excited you or me! Either way, I got home, hit Mondos, near Rincon, caught the first wave I went for and rode it all the way to the parking lot!

Since then, I have taken up Stand Up Paddling boarding (shhhh….) (it is really good for your core, and the waves are more predictable), leased a horse and ride waves when I can. More importantly, I LOVE the water!! I paddle my SUP board like its a surf board and there is always white water to tackle and waves to ride. (although I haven’t actually done that yet..lol) My buddy is also an avid boogie boarder, fins etc…so water sports abound!!

My point is without the four of you giving me the confidence to ENJOY our beautiful oceans, my time here in Cali would be wasted. Every Sunday I am out there paddling with the dolphins and the seals. I always jump in the water for a swim and we are bringing our masks and snorkels tomorrow and heading out to the reef for more exploring.

It is impossible for me to be in the water without thinking of all of you.:)

In short, Thank you for getting me to the place I was meant to be.

Fuck Yeah!! and Namaste:)))

~Roisin

We love getting thank yous from Amigas. It helps reinforce our feeling that what we’re doing not only provides a ton of fun and surfing knowledge but that it can also be more than that. We often get Amigas coming down who just really need to get away. Whether it’s a recent relationship breakup, job change, family heartache, or just re-evaluating life choices, sometimes it’s more than a vacation that people are looking for. Getting an email like this makes us smile to realize that we were able to help someone beyond just improving their pop-up. See below for Kathy’s message. Thanks Kathy!

I was definitely missing Nicaragua already when I got out of the airport to rain and 5 degrees the other night. Although I did get a pretty excited welcome from this girl (aka best snuggler ever), which mostly made me forget hammocks for a moment.

While I know you can’t take total credit for how awesome the other people in our group were ;), you guys totally set the tone for a supportive, joyful, trusting place. The fact that it’s paradise with a tropical bird chorus every morning doesn’t hurt either, nor do the great teaching skills both surf and yoga-wise.

Oversharing time, but it’s relevant. My dad passed away (cancer) in October, and while that was sad more than painful (if that makes any sense), it definitely ranks up there as one of life’s more stressful events. I was looking to get away, to turn off responsibilities and cares for a little bit and reset my happy meter, and what I found far exceeded my expectations. Don’t get me wrong!! – I’m not conflating surfing camp with Tara’s wilderness therapy (that sounds like a BAD IDEA for both you guys and anyone expecting something like that), but I found the week to be really healing. Having an ear to ear grin for most of the day, doing something like catching a wave, which just like dancing or riding fresh powder or watching my dog wriggle around on her back fills me with pure joy (oh wait, there WAS also dancing and watching dogs be their goofy wonderful selves!), being around people who are fun, engaged in the world and interesting and also are open and compassionate, and beautiful surroundings, good food, getting exercise, being outside all day…..those are my personal ingredients for some serious recharging and self-care. Which is what I MEANT to try to say the morning I left, instead of getting all teary 🙂

Thanks! y muchas besos,

Kathy

Tag: life changing

Falling in Love with the Ocean

Thank You and Testimonial from Amiga Kathy