A HOME AWAY FROM HOME

you can find it anywhere.
last weekend I found it in Munich. thank you for having me.

there was a big response to an article I shared on facebook. every girl with itchy feet should read it. don't date a girl who travels vs. date a girl who travels. enjoy reading.

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IT'S ALWAYS SUMMER SOMEWHERE – SURF WITH AMIGAS

 

winter is picking up pace slowly in Austria. not so in Nicaragua and at other exotic locations where surf with amigas runs its surf & yoga adventure retreats. give yourself a super natural treat between warm waves, volcano hikes and restorative yoga sessions and even get your gallop on. Holly Beck, a professional surfer, and her team will make your trip both challenging your body and inspiring your mind. and as traveling always comes along with acting in a responsible way towards nature and locals you can do your bit to a better world while your stay.

what is waiting for us at a surf with amigas surf & yoga retreat?

hot weather, warm water, new friends, and lots of adventures. we like to keep a loose schedule and plan activities around the best waves and the desires of the individual group. you will have plenty of solo time if you like, but most people find the group environment to be super supportive, healing, and hilariously tons of fun. it all starts with surfing, then eating awesome food, then a restorative yoga session, then an awesome afternoon activity – more surfing, or horseback riding on the beach, volcano hiking, volunteering with local kids, sunset cocktails with a gorgeous view. we film every session and go over the footage to help you improve your surfing.

is there something we need to bring?
the most important things to bring are a positive attitude and an adventurous spirit. of course, sunscreen, a bikini that stays on (so you won't have to worry about it while you're surfing), a pair of jeans for horseback riding, and sturdy shoes for volcano hiking are also important.

besides surfing and yoga we can also give back with surf with amigas. please tell us about waves of hope.
surf with amigas has partnered with the non-profit waves of hope at our northern nicaragua location. waves of hope is dedicated to improving the lives of community members primarily through education. we're really excited about the new high school that we've built which will open in february 2014. it's a great way to get to know the local community and feel like you've made a little difference in the world.

is there any more else that's coming up in 2014?
in 2014 we are adding costa rica to our list of destinations, something we're really excited about. we have a lot ladies who have been on 2, 3 and even 4 retreats with us so we are always looking for awesome new locations so that returning amigas can see somewhere new. we're hoping to add mexico to the list for 2015.

nicaragua is ... our home base. we stay at an eco-resort with amazing food, incredible people, and two good waves within walking distance that are really uncrowded. it's great for surfers of all levels and particularly ladies who have never surfed before. we love pushing ladies into their very first wave and helping them reach their goals in the water.

el salvador is … for hard-core surfers or ladies who want to become hard-core surfers. we surf surf surf, mostly at the right point right out front. if the swell is big we can drive around and explore a few secret spots that we've found over the years. it's a great place for taking your surfing to the next level in a supportive environment.

costa rica is ... our newest destination that we will kick off in april 2014. if you like long lefts, this is the spot! like el salvador, some prior surfing experience is required. we'll be surfing the world class wave of Pavones but also some less-crowded secret spots within walking distance of where we'll stay. plenty of jungle hikes will go down!

phillipines are ... intensely beautiful. it's a bit of a mission to get there (at least from the US) but well worth it. crystal clear water, rainbow fish covered reef, and really fun waves. this retreat is best for advanced beginner and intermediate surfers since we'll be surfing over reef, but every session will be by boat and an adventure in itself. we'll check out waterfalls, go snorkeling, and even ride water buffalos!

if you are keen on a dry run and a bit of mental training make sure you don't miss Holly's great how to videos. they are not just informative but fun as hell as well.

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NEVEREVER

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BALI - WAITING FOR THEM WAVES

 super duper surf leggings by O'Neill

photos by Anita Fuchs

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IT'S ALWAYS SUMMER SOMEWHERE – SURF SISTAS

being back in Vienna I am missing the good girls sessions we had. the good thing is: after the trip is before the trip and that's why I start a small surf & yoga series presenting some of the brightest surf & yoga retreats between the pacific and the indian ocean. and don't worry if you are considering to go alone. going to a camp on my own some years ago was the best thing I could do. since then we chase together places.

known as shameless followers of the sun surf sistas are offering surf & yoga retreats at the most playful destinations you can imagine. swap this crazy winter weather for endless sunshine and cheeky waves instead and let the good times roll among like-minded girls.

what is waiting for us at a surf sistas' surf & yoga retreats?

a very warm welcome; real progress with your surfing – whether you are learning for the first time or building on existing skills; time to recharge & connect with the ocean and yourself; amazing memories made with new friends; and just a really fun experience with lots of laughter! we have lots of trips to choose from; surf & yoga retreats, island hopping surfaris, surf road trips, cycle surfaris, weekends and courses. All of our trips include full daily surf coaching with our experienced instructors, we have lots of regulars who have surfed all over the world with us and we are stoked to become part of your surf journey.  

is there something we need to bring?
swimwear, comfy clothing for yoga, beach towel, sun block, and a smile ... if you are joining us in Portugal, France, Morocco or the UK you will need a wetsuit but we can provide one if you don't have your own.

what's coming up in 2014?
we're really excited about 2014, first up we have our surf road trips and surf & yoga retreats in Costa Rica, then we are headed to Bali for our island surf & yoga surfari. 
we are shameless followers of summer so as soon as it shows its face in Europe we will be back in the UK with a full schedule of surf weekends, retreats and courses in Cornwall and Wales. we also have surf & yoga retreats in France and Portugal from September through to november, the perfect escape from the onset of colder autumn days in Northern Europe. plus a cheeky return to Bali in October for another island surfari.

we have a new online surf sistas boutique and we have some new products up our sleeves for that which we hope everyone will love. plus new for summer 2014 we will be running SUP sista days and weekends on the South Coast in the UK.

Bali is ... turquoise seas, perfect waves, white sand beaches & coral hearts, temples, offerings, chatting in the shade of the warung, being in the right place on the right tide, stories about sharks that turn out to be rocks or dugongs, boat rides, snorkel trips, bintang o'clock, nasi goreng. 

Cornwall is…  home sweet home! white to green week, road trips, friendly beach breaks, cool coffee shops, post surf cornish pasties.

Wales is... Gwen's home, hiking over the dunes, blue skies, getting lost along country lanes, the best accent, pubs, long beach walks, camping, singing songs! 

Costa Rica is... hammock time! waking to howler monkeys, surfing glassy perfection at dawn, avocados, more hammock time, scorchio days, reggae nights, turtles, and 'going to sunset'. 

France is... sand dunes, barrels and baguettes, messing about by the pool, SUPing on the lake, the glamour of Biarritz, the cool of Hossegor, the best ice-cream, and cycling in the pine forests.

Portugal is... Sangria!  oh and lush uncrowded breaks (we don't go peak season!), fresh air, fresh fish, gorgeous white washed villas, tranquil Yoga sessions, the tinkle of cowbells.

if you like surf sista's pictures as much as I do don't miss to visit kate czucszman's page.

oh, and surf sistas are running a fabulous contest on instagram for anyone sending them a #surfsistagram. check out all the details and prizes here.

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BALI – OUR HOME SPOT

spots with old men in it are my favourite ones. old men are kind, they have a nice style on their longboards and the fact that they are in the water means that the waves are smooth. that's totally my thing. like here at "old man's" in Canggu.

photos by anita fuchs and kristian kimmel

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BALI – AND NOT A SINGLE STEP FURTHER

Bali, the island of the gods. Bali, the place everybody learns to surf.
Bali, the ballermann of the ozzies.

I didn't know what to expect. I just knew that I had two missions. the first mission was to improve my surfing and way more important to just have a good time together with the girls in the water. that last part took care for itself. especially when you imagine one of them having a great predeliction for little mermaid songs. she loves to sing in the line up.

my second mission was to get to know the yoga side of the island.

so I packed my bags, varnished my nails with an empowering ornamental painting and my tattoo close to my heart got warm. barefoot, during late moped rides and on baby waves I finally got to know my own truth of Bali and I took it with me to share some pieces with you.

one early morning I passed this friendly lady. she made a ceremony at the beach in Balian. the small green dishes made out of palm leaves are offerings to the gods, demons or the ancestors. believe it or not ... it's magic.

you can watch ceremonies nearly everywhere. like here at the beach in Pasut.

on my way to the yogabarn in Ubud I came along a splendid temple.

aaah, a ceremony. even cars get a ceremony. I love that. in this way the car gets a soul and will protect you from bad accidents. it's magic... it just doesn't always work.

watch out for this little girl if you are in Balangan. she is cute!

this was on my last day when Bali belly and me went to Uluwatu. here's a crazy video of the entrance to this famous spot.

things I've learned
either you catch the wave or the wave catches you
it's always better to talk shit in the water than outside of the water
I need to paddle like a man
and our all time favourite  
don't worry be sexy

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