That was the motto for the chicas this week at the Surf House, and it’s safe to say that we had an awesome time with great waves and did just that…went big! The ladies surfed all types of waves, chilled at the beach, volunteered at Escuela Adelante and cruised on a catamaran while watching the sunset. Can you ask for anything more?!
We had team Canada, four girls from the maple country – three of which came together, traveling together for surf holidays. Amanda surfed once in Costa Rica, wanting to get more experience she came to Chica Brava and by the end of the week she was following the “green light” down the line. Leslie had no surf experience when she arrived, but by Friday she was catching her own waves and surfing them all the way in. Stephie surfed in Hawaii once and felt the stoke right away – She’s a go getter and following the motto of the week she paddled and SURFED the biggest waves of her life. Then there was Anne from Montreal, also known as Miss Zinka! She surfed two years ago in Costa Rica and has a lot of love for the ocean. Her positive attitude made her paddle to every wave and she got it in no time. By Friday she was in the line-up ready to surf green waves. Check out Stephie’s recap of why she is a Chica Brava and how she faced her fears!!!
Two of our ladies came for Germany! Johanna who traveled for a few weeks before arriving to Chica Brava, had some experience surfing in Spain, France and Portugal! She wanted to get more waves and be comfortable around bigger surf. Jo was walking on her board trying to reach the nose by the end of the week. Susie surfed in Indonesia a few years ago and loved it so much she decides to come to Chica Brava to keep on surfing; she came for not one but two weeks! By now she’s catching her own waves and going down the line, I can’t imagine what she’ll accomplish by the end of her second week with us.
Our solo traveler from San Francisco, California, was a returnee! Steph came to Chica Brava a few years ago and kept the stoke after that. She came back because she wanted to be more confident in bigger waves and step up her game! By Friday she was nailing “Noelani’s” move and holding the rail down the line.
Last but not least we had the Montana girls. Noelle and Anne Van are friends and came together for an adventure. Anne Van had no surf experience but she had paddle rafting experience – which made her a great paddler! She became a natural surfer with great determination – and by the end of the week she really knew what she was doing. Noelle came with no surf experience and a fear of the ocean, but wanted to bond with the ocean! Having a good time, feeling the encouragement and full chica support she definitely went big. Not only did she conquer her fear, but she learned how to surf and enjoyed it to the fullest.
It was a week full of adventures and fun times. It’s amazing how a group of strangers with different ages and nationalities can bond in the ocean. These girls had a system of apoyo (support) that was AMAZING – every single girl would get stoked for other girls’ waves. Laughs and good times ended up creating great friendships around the world, Chica Brava style!
Denise,
Surf Instructora Extraordinaire
Surf House November 15-22, 2014
