Tag: suave dulce

Ako Matsuzaki’s Thank You Letter

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To Suave Dulce,

I just wanted to quickly pop in say a huge – and I mean HUGE thank you for a making my first trip to Nicaragua a trip I will never forget. What a treat it was to be able to wake up to the sound of the waves, not to mention the natural alarm clock of the birds outside. The past two days, I have opened my eyes to only see concrete walls of my apartment and to the sound of cars. Yes, hot showers and flushing toilets are nice (though I’ve found myself hesitating to flush – ha) but for a lack of better word, being back home has royally SUCKED ASS.

Even though I’m still just a beginner, surfing has taught me so much about life in general; every wave is different and so I need to be flexible and adjust accordingly. The harder I fight things, sometimes the more difficult it gets – and even if I fall, all I need to do is just get right back up on my board because there is always another wave waiting for me. I may get tumbled under water and have no idea what’s happening, but if I just stop and take a moment to surrender, eventually – and naturally, I will find my way up and it’s all going to be okay.

What made this trip even more memorable was to be able to see all the “GOOD” that el Coco Loco and Waves of Hope are doing for the local community. I have walked away from this trip not only feeling touched – but truly inspired by the amazing work and love they are giving back and hope that one day, when I get my “big girl job” back, that I will be able to due my part in making a difference, even if it is to help one little boy or girl at a time. With that said, I will do my best to spread the word about Waves of Hope to my friends and family as well as your camp – but will also be sure to be slightly selective so I don’t crowd the secret and perfect surf spot you have found on the map 🙂

Thank you again for allowing me to have an amazing opportunity to see the world and learn through surfing – and being an awesome & inspiring woman, Holly! I hope this week will be just as much fun as last week and please tell everyone I said hello and I miss them already!

With love, dreams and hopes of making a difference,
Ako

Stacey Jones at Suave Dulce

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Stacey did a lot of research and decided that based on price, location, and activities, Suave Dulce is the best Surf and Yoga Retreat out there! She came with high expectations and was still surprised by how awesome it is.

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

Stacey Jones calls it “star-planet-magic”

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Stacey Jones from Canada:
“It was star-planet-magic. I really didn’t know what to expect and was pretty nervous finally meeting my favorite pro surfer since 2001 (I still have the magazine from 2001 with an epic photo of Holly on the cover of Surfing Girl, tell me if that is not the raddest picture of a girl surfing– ever!!!) So after a year of trying to sort out dates, and much anticipation to meet Holly, the opportunity finally came. I was very happy to join what might go down in Suave Dulce’s history as the coolest group of chicas to rock Nica’s coastline ever! It was pretty neat to see so many like-minded ladies coming together. All in all, the very best part was hanging with everyone and that was not what I was expecting! (well and the volcano boarding, horseback riding, surfing and YOGA! whew, we did a lot in one week)!!!

Life Lessons from Surfing

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Michelle Steffes came to a retreat a few months ago and stood up on her first wave on day 1. After a few days acquainting herself with the ocean, her board, and her pop-up, she became determined to paddle outside and catch a “green” wave. By the end of the week, after a lot of great support and coaching, she achieved her goal.
A few weeks after her trip, she was inspired to write the following.
Thanks Michelle!

Headed out for one last wave before sunset.

I sit on my board
And watch the wave rise up and tower over me
White foam beginning to crest at the peak
“Uh oh,” I whisper
From miles below

A moment later
As I hang upside down
In the churning maelstrom
One leg yanked roughly toward shore
By the leash around my ankle
The other throbbing from a fresh wound
Lungs aching for air
And ears popping painfully

I think about the choices I’ve made in my life
The many times I’ve lingered sideways
In the path of tsunamis
Paralyzed by indecision

Neither intrepid enough
To charge toward shore
Leap to my feet
And ride to victory

Nor sensible enough
To give up early
Hold my breath
Dive for the sea floor and curl into a ball
While I wait for the worst of the destruction to pass.

Michelle, confidently up and riding on a nice little insider.

Circle of Empowerment

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Meg “Margarita” Boren is an inspiring woman. She first came to Nicaragua in 1999 as a volunteer nurse working with a local doctor to provide care to remote villages without access to electricity or potable water. She fell in love with the people and decided she had to stay.

Living in a tent for 8 months while a house was being built she founded Circle of Empowerment , a grass roots project focusing on the development of resources that help the people help themselves in the areas of health, education, and economic development.

Meg "Margarita" Boren, the force behind Circle of Empowerment

Working with donations, other NGOs, and public programs within Nicaragua, she has opened a health clinic, provided a school bus, and created a high school program and library in a community that previously had none of those things.

Margarita, giving a tour of the clinic and explaining her program to a group of Suave Dulce guests.

Margarita’s programs focus heavily on education and developing leadership from within the local communities to assure community buy-in and program sustainability.

Giving donations for the local kids to Margarita.

During each retreat we will visit Margarita’s clinic to hear her story and be inspired by her energy.

A few of the local kids that benefit from Margarita's clinic

To learn more or donate to Circle of Empowerment, click here or email [email protected] for more information.

Volcano Boarding is So Fun!

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Volcano boarding is the most interesting thing you can do in Nicaragua. I could try to explain what it’s all about and why it is so fun, but it’s probably better if you just watch the video and let the ladies show you why it’s something you need to add to your bucket list! Click play to watch!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZjwpKVGpTI]