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!

The 3 Best Face Sunscreens for Surfing and Other Strategies to Stay Protected From the Sun

on February 4, 2017September 3, 2023 By hollybeck27

Wondering how best to protect your skin while surfing?

Here are our top three picks for sunscreens that stay on your face for surfing, as well as other strategies to minimize sunscreen use but still stay protected.

1. Shiseido

Shiseido offers a variety of water resistant sun care products that work greta in the surf! Our favorites are the SPF 50 Sunscreen Stick and the Wetforce Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion. The Wetforce sunscreen is mineral based and free of chemicals. Both of these broad spectrum, water resistant products are have a matte finish that leaves your skin feeling smooth and dry.

2. Raw Elements

Raw Elements, Surf Coach Alex’s sunscreen of choice, makes sunscreen products with certified natural and organic ingredients. The sunscreen is hypoallergenic, broad spectrum, and stays on in the water. The company, founded by an ocean lifeguard, is dedicated to creating a positive impact on the world.

3. Shade Sunscreen

Another great option not mentioned in the video, which is the sunscreen of choice of SWA founder Holly Beck is Shade Sunscreen. It’s a mineral based broad spectrum sunscreen free of chemicals, parabens, animal derived ingredients, and glycols. It has a matte finish (yay!) and leaves your skin feeling smooth and silky (rather than oily). The face stick and liquid products are both water resistant, so take your pick! If you’re traveling we recommend using the stick so you can leave it in your carry on.

Other strategies to stay protected from the sun:

In addition to staying lathered up with sunscreen on your face, neck, and hands, we highly recommend investing in other surf gear to keep you safe from the rays. Cover up! Hats, long sleeve rash guards, and leggings are a must if you plan to surf for years to come and spend many hours in the sun. These are some of our favorite small brands that make awesome surf gear for all women (and some men too)!

Fave hats: Kaiola Co.

Fave rashguards: The Seea

Fave leggings: Salt Gypsy

Highlights from Jan 15-21 in North Nicaragua

on January 28, 2017January 26, 2017 By hollybeck27

This week not only did we surf our brains out but we also got to help out our local non-profit, waves of hope, by painting the local high school! Don’t worry, we managed to fit in all the other awesome activities of our Women’s surf and yoga retreat program including yoga, sliding down a volcano, a fun girls night out and sunset cocktails at a neighboring resort!

Blog Post by an Amiga

on January 22, 2017January 22, 2017 By hollybeck27

Brittany Hammond joined us on a retreat a couple of weeks ago and wrote a cute blog post about the experience. She’s also an amazing photographer and got some great shots. If you’re wondering what it’s like to attend a women’s surf and yoga retreat with Surf With Amigas, here’s a taste!

Here’s an intro, but read the whole story by clicking the link below.

“I spent a week in Nicaragua with Surf With Amigas… And it was one of the greatest weeks of my life! In spite of several mishaps (missed flights, injuries, scorpions, and a monkey bite) I totally enjoyed this trip.”

http://toddandbrittsblog.blogspot.com/2017/01/nicaragua-and-surf-with-amigas.html

First Retreat of 2017 Highlight Video

on January 12, 2017January 11, 2017 By hollybeck27

We had such an amazing group of women this week during our first Surf With Amigas Surf Yoga Retreat of the 2017 Year, filling the line up with laughs and positive energy! Friendships were forged, waves were caught and adventure was had everyday! Can’t wait to see these Amigas next time!! This was also the first retreat that founder Holly Beck was back in instructor mode after her maternity leave so her kiddos were on hand to participate in the laughs and fun!

Blog by Kate Erwin of Coolhunting.com on Surf With Amigas Retreats

on January 11, 2017January 11, 2017 By hollybeck27

We recently had Kate Erwin from Cool Hunting pop in to join us on a retreat. She wrote a blog about her experience. Here’s an excerpt. Click the link to read the whole blog: http://www.coolhunting.com/travel/surf-with-amigas-nicaragua

“Between the surfing, horseback riding, meals, beers on the beach, yoga classes and the overall adventure of Surfing With Amigas, there’s an incredible sense of camaraderie and support. George says this is due to surfing—and the surf lifestyle—being so all-encompassing, “Surfing to me is everything: it’s meditation, it’s exercise, it’s worship, it’s a way to play in nature, it’s spending time with loved ones, it’s challenging, it’s fun, it’s mindless, it’s mindful, it’s a way to connect with people from all over the world, it’s empowering, and it’s a total reset.”

Surf Completely – How To Do a Vertical Backside Turn

on December 16, 2016December 16, 2016 By hollybeck27

Holly Beck is one of the surf instructors at Surf With Amigas. Video coaching is a big part of what we do on our womens surf and yoga retreats as it’s such a great tool for improving your surfing. Here Holly demonstrates how to make your backside turns bigger.

Surfing Through A Hurricane

on December 16, 2016December 16, 2016 By hollybeck27

Surf road trip! November is usually dry and sunny but when an incredibly rare unseasonable hurricane Otto showed up to dump days and days of rain, we took a road trip from the rain forest of the South to the relatively dry Playa Hermosa! We had an awesome crew of Amigas and Amigos to laugh and surf with and everyone had great attitudes. You can’t control the weather or the ocean, but you can control your attitude.

Panama 2016 is Happening!

on August 26, 2015August 26, 2015 By Jackie George

Join us this April 16-23 or April 23-30 for a week of surf, yoga, and adventures in Panama!

We met an awesome Amiga from Panama on a retreat in El Salvador last year and she clued us in on a hidden gem in Southern Panama. We visited her spot with two groups of Amigas last year, and loved it so much, we’ve decided to go back this April!

With the explorations of last year, we found a new location- a different hotel, right on the beach we liked surfing the best. The surf spot is right out in front of the resort. Wake up with coffee, watch the waves all day, and surf your brains out!

The wave out front is good for all levels, from advanced beginners to super shredders. There are peaks up and down the beach (the waves get bigger and heavier at one end, and smaller and cuter at the other) and a few other spots within driving distance.

What’s included:

Accommodations at beach front surf camp
Daily surf guidance, in water coaching and post-session video analysis.
Daily yoga classes to relax and inspire you
Surfboard rental
All delicious meals
2 way transfer from Panama City
All the awesome adventures that you’ve come to expect from Surf With Amigas

Check out this video of the Amigas in Panama last year:

Check our the page here!

New Retreat Location – Central Nicaragua August 2-9 2015

on February 17, 2015April 2, 2015 By hollybeck27

In our never-ending quest to add more awesome retreat locations we stumbled upon a hidden gem in Central Nicaragua.

I’d been eyeing this zone for a few years but had never taken the time to drive down and check it out. On a week off in February (while the rest of the staff was raging in Bocas) my husband Kim and I packed up Luna and cruised a couple hours down South to explore El Transito and the Solid Surf Camp.

I had seen photos online of the owner, Allison, shredding the waves out front and was eager to meet her and check the surf out for myself. We were thinking of possibly adding the location to our list of retreat options, but really, I just wanted to get away on our first surf trip as a family of three and catch some waves myself!

The waves were pretty small that first afternoon, but I grabbed my Rusty Dwart and ran out front. It was small but super fun and I couldn’t help starting to imagine Amigas loving it!

The next day the swell started slowly filling in and I surfed all four spots! I got some super Amiga-friendly rides right out front, caught a punchy right and did a bunch of turns at the peak just down the beach and even had fun on the gentle left point at the farthest South end of the beach on my shortboard. On a fish or a longboard it would have been even better!

After an hour, I went to check on the baby and since she was still asleep, I walked down the beach to the right to scope out the thumpy hollow wave. There was no one in sight and I paddled out and straight into the best wave of my trip – a sweet left tube! During breakfast I watched Allison get some sweet rides out front.

After breakfast we went back to the hollow beach break so my husband Kim could surf it. The sun was strong but we set up a shade on the beach for the mamas and babies (the sister in law of the owner was in town with her 8 month old) and Kim paddled out and caught a couple of good ones.

We had to take off that afternoon as there was a group of Amigas showing up the next day for a retreat in Northern Nica, but as we were driving off I snapped this pic with my phone and decided we absolutely need to bring Amigas for a retreat!

We were able to find a week that works and are so stoked to announce a new retreat August 2-9, 2015. All the info is available here.

Send me an email for more info or to sign up!

[email protected]