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  

Here come the girls (and the boys)! Chasing dreams with the GB Junior Surf Squad ..

Ellen Harding from the GB Junior Squad

Our GB junior surf squad are raising money to take part in the ISA Junior World Championships in Ecuador next month.  They've set up a  crowdfunder page to try and raise £10,000 of their £25,000 target and with no government funding at all they are fully reliant on their own fundraising efforts.  If everyone in the UK that surfs can donate just a few pounds, they will be well on their way to Ecuador to represent us all!    

"If everyone in the UK, who has slipped into a wetsuit in the last 12 months and gone surfing, whether as a passion, a hobby, or while on holiday, contributes a just a small amount to this cause, we will hit 

our target and more. Every donation counts".

All the monies donated go towards the cost of travel, food and lodging for each member of the team (approx £2,500 per team member). They aren't competing for a prize purse just the pride of representing their country and the valuable experience of competing at a global level.   

As well as the joy of supporting our next generation of surfers to achieve their dreams you can also receive some amazing rewards for your donations over on the squad's crowdfunder page including accommodation in Bali, beautiful Nalu beads, a surf tour in South Africa, an amazing Alaia surfboard, custom made boards from the UK, and lots lots more good stuff that you will absolutely want and need!  Don't delay go and check it out now and drop some pounds in the growing pot .. 

And don't forget to keep an eye on the Surfing GB Facebook page for updates on the team's adventures in Ecuador!  

Good luck Team GB!

The GB Junior Surf Squad .. ready to go with your help! 

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.

Shopping for Pineapples with Silverstick

Silverstick are ticking all the boxes for us at the moment with their cute organic tees and hoodies that feel super soft on our freshly sun and salt kissed skin!    If you haven't come across Silverstick before then go and give them a peek we think you will like them ..  they are an indie label based in the South of England with outdoor living at the heart of everything they do.  We love that they hand print all their apparel in the UK and are dedicated to sustainable manufacture, leaving us free to wear our tees with a clear conscience.   

Our Silverstick faves are the stone tee with original logo in a sunshine yellow, California stylee, and the Beau Sweat in Ash Marl. The Silverstick tote bags in our pics, perfect for shopping for pineapples, were made specially for us to take to Costa Rica .. yew!    We're secretly hoping Silverstick add them to their range as a girl can never have too many cloth totes when travelling .. shopping bag, beach bag, laundry bag, bikini bag, swim fins bag ..   yep we are cloth bag addicts! 

Check out the Silverstick website and Facebook page and follow their adventures over on instagram .. you might see some faces you recognise from our Big Friday and Surf Sistas trips in Costa Rica as well .. 

Getting crafty at the beach with Prue Howard

When we're surfing and travelling our creative juices are constantly fired up .. but so far from our home supplies its not always easy to know how to channel all that colourful inspiration!   That was until we met surfer, designer and film industry prop stylist Prue Howard who showed us how she gets crafty at her cute little beach cabina in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica using just some paints from the local store, newspaper and treasures she collects on morning beach walks.

driftwood sticks become pencils 

inspiration from the jungle birds in Prue's notebook

paper mache bowls are painted, given a coat of resin from the ferreteria (local B&Q) & dried in the sun

beach pebbles become colourful parrot fish

See more of Prue's work when she is not on a tropical beach at her facebook page Prue Howard Design she has some super cute prints and Pina Totes for sale too .. go check them out!

If you would like to be getting crafty on this beautiful beach then check out Surf Sistas Costa Rica for Surf & Yoga retreats and Surf Road Trips in Santa Teresa.

Board Sock Love

We just want to give some props to Charlotte's super stylin board sock that she made herself to take on the Big Friday surf road trip in Costa Rica ... love it!  

Show us your home made board socks Sistas and we will share on the blog ..