I had the incredible opportunity to be a surf instructor/camp host for Chica Brava back in 2013. I came to Nica not knowing a soul, looking for some good waves and hoping to find some strong chicas to make friends with. I was at a cross roads in my life, as so many of the Chica Brava campers and instructors are when they come to Nicaragua. I had some big life questions to answer and my time in SJDS really helped me put things into perspective. 

Not only did I score epic waves during my trip, I made life long friendships. Noelani Anderson and I quickly became chica besties. She was my roomie in our aqua marine apartment we affectionately named “The Lady Ship.” Noe, Elsi, Shelby, and I all had some pretty awesome adventures, surfed incredible waves, had spontaneous dance parties and met a lot of incredible women who not only had the courage to learn how to surf but trusted us to teach them. 

After leaving my job at Chica Brava, I moved back to Central California and became a full on cowgirl. I had just gotten into horseback riding when I came to Chica Brava and Blue from Rancho Chilamate became my hero! Not only is she an amazing horsewoman, businesswoman, designer, creator, and dreamer, she gives back to her local community in a way that inspires and motivates you deep down to your soul. Here in Santa Barbara I started helping out at a local cattle ranch and quickly fell in love with all things rancher. I’ve spent early mornings gathering, sorting, and vaccinating cattle and then gone surfing in the afternoon. What a crazy dichotomy the surfing and ranching worlds are! I got my own horse, a beautiful bay American Quarter Horse whom was aptly named Sparkle Pony. 

In the last 2 years I’ve done surf trips to New Zealand and Maui and have been back to Nica twice. I was just there last month with my new amazing wonderful handsome super sexy altruistic dude Jason (okay sorry that was overkill but he’s so rad!) who brought some of his fellow ER docs down to do a medical brigade in Esteli. The boys came surfing in San Juan del Sur and galloped down the beach with me and the Chilamate crew. They are still calling each other “chica.” We scored epic waves, got to visit good friends and had a great chica adventure. For my next trip, Jason and I are off to India in October to work with one of the founders of street medicine and help take care of the impoverished kids in Calcutta. And hopefully if all goes according to plan I have an all girls surf trip to Indo in the spring! 

I will always be grateful for the time I spent at Chica Brava. I learned a lot about myself and was encouraged by all the amazing strong women I had the fortune of  meeting. Nicaragua will always hold a special place in my heart, not only for the constant off shores, consistent south swells and beautiful water but the wonderful people that make it feel like home. 

Besos y Abrazos

Lauren McFarland
Chica Check-In August