My best friend and I have wanted to learn how to surf for a long time, by long I mean since we were 9. But being that we were from Wisconsin, and that our parents weren’t going to take us, it would have to wait. Fast-forward a while, I am 27, my best friend from childhood is still my best friend. We decided after all this time of talking about ridin’ the waves we’d actually do it! She was the one who actually found ChicaBrava. After inviting handfuls of friends, 2 brave souls committed to come with!
So it began! Four gals from Milwaukee, Wisconsin headed south on a surprisingly cold Saturday in September! We didn’t know what to expect. The weather forecast was 95% rain and 90 degrees. When we arrived at the airport, it was pouring. We looked at each other thinking, what the heck are we doing down here. We don’t even speak Spanish…The next morning it was perfect! Blue skies, hot, humid and sunny! Sure beats the 45 degrees back home. Early in the afternoon, we were greeted by Norman from ChicaBrava and some of the other girls who were in the camp with us. We grabbed beers for the ride and headed to the surf house for the next week.
When we arrived, the streets of San Juan Del Sur were packed. The locals were celebrating their Nicaraguan Independence Day. They sure know how to party. I don’t think anyone slept for the first few days. We met our instructors, Noe, Sara, Lauren and Elsi. They gave us the low down on what we were going to do. Apparently we were a large group that needed some serious help. We had 11 girls total. Everyone got along swimmingly! The instructors talked to us about our surfing goals and helped us pick out our board. We arrived at the beach, ready to ride! The instruction was AWESOME! It was super hands on, not just explanations on how to do things, but demonstrations too. I was totally exhausted after every surf lesion (but in a good way)!
Each night we did something different. We went on a catamaran tour into “international” waters (we may have had a few drinks)! We went horseback riding. If I may offer up a tip for future riders, don’t wear tight jeans. I learned this the hard way… J. Some nights we just took it easy, or went swimming, watched surf vids and chilled. All that to say the trip was more than I could have ever asked for. I’m extremely thankful to have learned how to surf with my best friend! Everyone on the trip popped up, wiped out, and had a blast!
I put this video together. It will probably sum up the trip better than I could write about it. If you are thinking about leaning how to surf, ChicaBrava is the ticket.
Alicia from Wisconsin