This magical week started with a late morning surf at Playa Maderas where the chicas were already gliding along baby “green waves” and working in the whitewash going left and right. From there we spent a couple of days as the swell picked up on Playa Hermosa, surfing as much as possible and enjoying the sunsets. Valentine’s Day (my favorite day of the whole year!) was filled with sand dollars (valentines from the sea), warm sunshine, Chica Brava on waves, drawing hearts in the sand, and being grateful to have such open-hearted company with us this week. The girls enjoyed walking the beach at the bay, yoga flow at zen yoga, and spending time in the surf house with us. We ate some delish meals at King Kurry, Nica Thai, Beach House, Budda’s Garden, and El Pollito. Towards the end of the week, we enjoyed having dawn patrols with the rising sunshine at Playa Remanso and sunsets at the bay across the street from Chica Brava Surf House.
Ingrid, a free spirited chica from the gold coast of Australia, came to Chica Brava to clean up and master her pop up and charge some big waves. The very first day she already began pushing past her goals and moved onto angling the board down the line in both directions. Ingrid brought so much knowledge, stories, and stoke to the group this week. She enjoyed painting at the art warehouse, taking some spanish lessons, and meeting other chicas that love to surf and share it together.
Joy, the smiling warm soul from Texas, came to Chica Brava to break any bad habits and learn to master her pop up. Mission accomplished! By the end of the week, she was even paddling into her own waves, catching baby “green” waves and handling her board out in the swell like a champ. Joy enjoyed walking the beaches and seeing the group of girls banding together and making progress.
Lori, the enthusiastic and loving beachcomer from San Diego, returned to Chica Brava to work on her wave riding skills and confidence in the ocean. She was the graceful wave machine, being able to ride any wave that came at her. She worked on handling and angling her board as well. By the end of the week, she paddled into her own wave from the outside and had the longest rides of us all! Lori enjoyed searching for shells, talking some science, and venturing around town.
It was a pleasure to share the ocean, surf stoke, and enjoy Nicaragua with y’all. See you out there ladies, keep surfing!”
Allie Hayser
Host Surf Instructor
Surf House 02/11-02/18