Mermaids Anonymous

When we are not surfing we love snorkeling off the lsland of Nusa Lembongan, crystal clear waters, swimming with manta rays, dolphins, turtles and schools of incredible tropical fish. These pics are from our latest Surf Sistas Bali Surfari in May ..

Pics taken with a go pro by mermaids @saltyeyebrows and @samimadison

Cornwall you take our breath away ..

Who needs to holiday abroad with this on our doorstep?  Join us in Cornwall this summer and wake up to this vista every day .. we have weekends and 5 day courses to choose from ..  see you soon!

Cycle Surf Count Down: How to fix a puncture!

The Big Friday cycle surf is fast approaching and although the Big Friday crew will be on hand for puncture repairs, we are girl guides at heart and like to 'be prepared'!   So when we saw this great little vid by the girls at Adventurely on how to fix a bike puncture we had to share it ..   thanks Adventurely, no excuses for us not to keep on riding now ..

El Sueño

We're in love with this short film by Bugeyefilms shot in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica .. we think it pretty much sums up how dreamy it is there .. want to see for yourself? Come and join us on a retreat or road trip and live the dream :)

El Sueño from bugeyefilms on Vimeo.

Sit back and enjoy the ride!

Let me let you in to a secret. I am a terrible surfer. I mean, for the amount of time I have actually spent in the water, I am absolutely shocking. Trust me. My abilities have absolutely no bearing on the brave souls that have endeavoured to teach me over the years. I am currently chocking up nearly 9 years of having someone shouting across the waves “Hayley! Hayley! LOOK UP!” Stop looking at your board!”

Of all the pursuits I have tried over the years; snowboarding, kayaking, paddle boarding, climbing, the frickin flying trapeze for god’s sake, I have at least achieved an acceptable level of participation. But surfing, nah uh. 

You think I would be annoyed by this. But no. It does not matter. Not one jot. Not anymore. For me, the whole experience is far richer than a single moment of success.

Most of my time spent in the water has been in the company of women and I think this has made all the difference. The support, the camaraderie, the sisterhood (the clue is in the name people!) form a part of that experience. It’s bigger than just hoofing your gear to the beach and paddling out.

There is drive if you want it, don’t get me wrong. The environment that women seem to create amongst themselves, with each other, engenders a total feeling of support. It’s something older than we, it’s in our genes. Something that the dudes, despite their best intents, don’t really get, but every gal with her hair plastered to her face, scrubbed clean of make up is always rooting for you to stand, to catch, to paddle, whether you get there or not. Because she is you.

Stepping in to the water for me is the most amazing leveller. Everyone out there on their board, whether they be supermarket check out girl, Momma, teacher, doctor. You are one, and all in it together, especially as the next set rises up to meet you. And some will go, some will catch, some emerge triumphant, others (namely me) tumbling to the beach, sand in unspeakable places, but all with a smile on their faces.

Hayley (Surf Sistas Yogi)
x

Kinda liking the idea of hair plastered to your face and sand everywhere you don't want it!?  Come and learn to surf with us this summer on one of our beginner weekends in  Cornwall or Wales  

A little piece of heaven ..

In case you were wondering why we choose to base our Costa Rica retreats in Santa Teresa .. here's why ..

Heaven from Asi on Vimeo.

Send us a #surfsistagram and win a surf course!

Its instagram competition time again!  This time we have a place on one of our surf weekends in Wales up for grabs!  yew!

Its super easy to enter, all you have to do is 1) follow us on instagram @surfsistas 2) upload a photo that makes you excited for summer 3) tag that photo #surfsistagram and @surfsistas    Simples! 

The prize is one place on the June 14th & 15th 2014 Surf Sistas Weekend Surf Course in Llangennith, Wales. You can choose beginner or improver level depending on your ability.  We will draw a winner on the 1st Feb .. so get involved and win that place on the course!

See you on instagram! 

Calling all Tropical Easter Bunnies

Easter 2014 with Surf Sistas, no wetsuits required ..but you might have to bring your own Cadburys Mini Eggs!

Searching for the Easter Bunny..

The big question at Surf Sistas HQ this week has been 'does the Easter Bunny visit in Bali and Costa Rica?'   We are not sure so we'll be stuffing any spare nooks and crannies in our board bags with lindt eggs just in case!

We have two amazing surf trips to choose from this Easter .. a Surf & Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica or a 10 day island surfari in Bali.  Both are great for all abilities so whether you want to learn to surf or are looking to progress, then these trips are perfect for you.

Our Costa Rica retreat runs from 12-19 April (Saturday to Saturday) and is based in the sleepy beach town of Santa Teresa on Costa Rica's stunning Nicoya peninsular ..  expect hot hot sunshine, amazing waves, pelicans swooping overhead, blissful Yoga, plenty of pool and hammock time, zipling in the jungle and reggae nights under the stars.

Our Bali Surfari runs 19-28 April (Saturday to Monday), and its co-ed, yes we are letting the guys come too, and run by our brother company www.bigfriday.com  .. think perfect waves, messing about in boats, snorkelling, laughing, exploring temples, eating Nasi Goreng and banana Jaffles, surfing until you drop and watching the sunset from an infinity pool.

What are you waiting for ..  email us now at info@bigfriday.com and reserve your spot ..

Beat the January Blues with our Instagram Contest!

Hey Sistas!  To shake off those January blues and remind us all of the good things in life.. ie. surfing, we have decided to run a wee instagram contest over the next few weeks.  All you have to do to get involved is 1) Follow @surfsistas on instagram and 2) instagram a fave surf photo (taken by or featuring your lovely self) and tag it #surfsistagram.   Thats it.. easy peasy!    We will pick our first winner on Friday 17th Jan .. 

This weeks prize is a Surf Sistas Tee, Surf Sistas Bikini Bag & a Surf Sistas Oakley Rashguard!

Sunday Slides!

Some Sunday slides to help you through the between Christmas and New Year lull ..  can be accompanied with a glass of sherry and your 157th mince pie ..


Loving these chicas living the dream on their road trip through Costa Rica .. if this looks like fun to you then we suggest you sign up for our pura vida road trip in March :)





A lovely peek into the life of Margaux Arramon-Tucoo by RVCA


Margaux Arramon-Tucoo | RVCA from RVCA on Vimeo.



Following the growth of surfing in India in 'A Rising Tide' ..





and to finish .. a random one!


SURF GIRL from julian zuazo on Vimeo.

Special Christmas & New Years Offer!

Special Offer Alert!  Book before January 5th 2014 to get US$ 200 off the price of our Costa Rica Surf road trip in March 2014!   Happy Holidays!  

Fun day at Labenne Ocean

Loving the flat light just before sunset in these snaps of Surf Sistas coach Loz messing about on a foamie in Labenne Ocean. She is just out the front from the villa where we host our Surf & Yoga retreats in South West France every Autumn.  Join us here next September .. check out dates and details for our France Surf & Yoga retreats here.

Photos by Kate Czuczman Photography for Surf Sistas

Dreamcatcher Bikini Bags just got bigger!

Due to popular demand we have introduced a second bigger size of bikini bag over in the Surf Sistas Boutique .. for those trips when you just need to take more bikinis!  or .. ahem .. you can't decide so you take them all.

This big beauty sits taller and steadily upright with her boxed corners at the base .. same exclusive surf Sistas dreamcatcher design, cotton hand stamped sarong back and EAT PLAY SURF tab.  Come and get yours here