Hola Chica Bravas! Kelly here checking in from San Juan Del Sur (since Oct ’14) So, I sold the farm and am now living the dream like a Boss, yo! (Giggles)
My surf story began many moons ago in Surfside Beach, TX. I was that lone beach Betty riding around with the dudes back in the day, being just “one of the guys”. We were either skating The Meat Grinder or shooting The Pier. Rolling forward 30 years, I was living in the Midwest and we were having the worst winter in recorded history. As I tried to enjoy 94 inches of snow as much as one can muster by boarding local spots and staying as close to a fire as possible. I ended up freezing my patootie off in spite of all my efforts.
Then one day, much to my delight, I get a Facebook message from a Texas class mate asking if I wanted to take her friend’s place for an upcoming surf trip to Nicaragua. “Of course” was my response, even though I hadn’t been on a surf board in dog’s years, but I knew it would be like riding a bike. From that first paddle out to sea, I felt at home on the waves. I had the epiphany that I had been living the life of a landlocked mermaid for waaaaay too long, and knew all that was about to change. My love for snow had been crushed!
I spent that week of sisterhood with the Chica Brava surf camp. Making friends with a ton of locals and in doing so, solidified my decision to go home, pull up anchor and set sail for Central America. Six months later I moved to Nicaragua, made many more friendships and eventually found a place to hang my hat for the winter and am absolutely loving the surf town life again.
I start my day in 90 degrees by checking the MagicSeaweed Surf report, then just letting my day unfold from there. I now know most of the locals on all the breaks and have so much fun dropping in on a surf session when waves are kicking. I love how the friends I’ve made always find room for one more board on a beach day (smiles). When the sea is flat, I can head out the Surf Ranch and enjoy a skate sesh and a few Toñas or head out on an excursion or road trip. There is so much to do here it’s unreal!! I must say it doesn’t suck to be me this winter and I’m pretty darn stoked about it!
I also remain part of the sisterhood of the Chica Brava ladies by greeting each new group to town as “Kelly, the Resident Alumni”. Speaking of alumni, that Texan class mate who shot me that life changing Facebook message… she’s coming back for her third time this weekend. Yew! Karma is so good like that! Just sayin’
Kelly Brennan
‘The Resident Alumni’
