Women`s Surf Camp Nicaragua

Women's Surf Camp Nicaragua
2/6/14, 9:49 AM
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No Boys Allowed
Along Nicaragua's southern Pacific coast an all-girls surf camp, ChicaBrava is
carving a niche for girls on the surf.
I m sitting in San Juan del Sur, a beach-bum town in Nicaragua, Central America's poorest country.
Looking out over the Pacific I try not to let on that I am nervous. Last time I was surfing in Central
America I ended up getting stitches at a local clinic after a surf accident. This time I plan on
getting it right. So I'm here for the week at an all-girl's surf camp, ChicaBrava.
Turns out the wave conditions in southern Nicaragua are perfect for learning. Beach break
dominates the Pacific coast (meaning no nasty reefs); offshore winds push the face of the wave
into perfect rides (meaning cleaner waves for the beginner); and miles of shore, undeveloped, uncrowded, lay unclaimed for any surfer (meaning no need to fight for space).
Srah Howell
Srah is an editor at Yeity
and comes from the
vibrant city of Montreal,
Canada.
She holds a graduate
degree in journalism and
is currently based in
Latin America, where she
keeps her penmanship
skills sharp with some
writing, some travelling,
and some eating.
You can harass Srah on Yeity's 'Contact Us' form,
or on Twitter using @thesrah
[just travel, you won't regret it]
http://www.yeity.com/features/girls-with-their-boards
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Women's Surf Camp Nicaragua
2/6/14, 9:49 AM
It's early in the morning on our first day of camp. Around me sprawled across various oversized
couches are a group of North American women ranging in age from early 20s to mid-40s. Fans
spin frantically overhead trying desperately to disperse the day's rising humidity. Before our first
surf session our host and surf instructor, Noelani, motivates us for the week ahead by teaching us
a bit about the history of surf and more specifically for us, women in surf. Fittingly, Noelani is from
the paradise island of Hawaii, the world's surf mecca. Everything, from this town, the beach, the
humidity, to our Hawaiian surf coach fits perfectly into what you would expect of an-girls surf
camp in beautiful Nicaragua. And yes, even our early morning mini-history session has its place.
Turns out women have been a part of surf ever since the sport s early beginnings.
As Noelani recounts, in 1778 British navigator James Cook visited Hawaii and provided the first
written account of surfing. In his notes, Cook writes of an odd sport where both men and women
would ride waves on oval boards for pure amusement. When Christian missionaries later arrived to
the tropical island they observed the sport and deemed it morally loose. The mixing of the sexes
that surfing encouraged was frowned upon by the Church and consequently suppressed. Over the
years it was largely forgotten as a sport until the 1950s. When it finally re-emerged in Hawaii
surfing had a new defined character: male, beach bum, on long board. With a crew of dedicated
mates, surfer boys would bounce from shore to shore in chase of waves. Women followed, but
only ever as their groupies.
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Since then, women in surf have come a long way from the days of Hawaiian groupies and
Hollywood Gidget (1959) gals. But the truth remains that the sport is largely dominated by wavehogging males. Tellingly, one of our fellow surf camp women tells us of her upbringing in Southern
California. As a young teen she would accompany her brothers to the beach. They of course would
run out with their boards and she would tan on the beach, observing the very obvious sign posted
in the sand before the break, "No girls allowed."
Enter ChicaBrava. The first all-girls surf camp in Nicaragua. Yes, it's their very own version of a
http://www.yeity.com/features/girls-with-their-boards
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Women's Surf Camp Nicaragua
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"No boys allowed" club. The camp s name literally means "brave woman" because there is a sense
that to be a woman in the surf world around here is to brave the elements on your own.
The idea of handing women a surfboard may seem trivial. But giving them the tools to master that
board is a wholly empowering act. As a week-long camp, ChicaBrava is dedicated to getting
women out on the waves. Their goal over and above giving women boards, however, is to "foster
an atmosphere of camaraderie and empowerment where women can be challenged in a positive
and healthy environment."
Our group experienced this first hand. What started off as something intimidating and seemingly
impossible became our addiction after the very first ride. Bobbing on our boards, trying to balance
as we flailed about in the ocean our group looked far (very far) from professional. But together, as
a group of clueless city girls, we looked pretty bad-ass and felt unabashedly empowered. The boys
checked us out as they paddled past. Half confused. Half intrigued. But they never dared steal our
waves.
Believe it or not, the oldest chica the camp s ever had was 70-years-old. While not their every-day
surfer girl, it goes to show that the appeal of surfing extends beyond age, sex, or skill. The
appeal? For some, coming here is a bucket list stop. Surfing? Check. For others, it's a bachelorette
or birthday party with the chicas in paradise. For all, though, it's a chance to connect to a kick-ass
sport. According to surf-camp owner Ashley Blaylock surf s appeal might have something to do
with its highs and lows. "Surfing parallels life in a lot of ways. There are a lot of factors we can't
control."
Put simply, if you've ever tried to paddle for a wave you know that surfing can be one of the most
frustrating sports. It has an extremely high learning curve. But, if you've ever been able to catch a
wave and ride it (literally in whatever capacity), then you also know that surfing is simply
http://www.yeity.com/features/girls-with-their-boards
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euphoric. I once heard it described as "controlled flying" and I'm inclined to agree.
After my week of controlled flying in Nicaragua I realized that despite years of on-and-off surfing
from New Zealand to Canada I've never quite felt so, well, controlled before on a board. Nor have
I ever felt more entitled to be out there surfing. A sport that I thought had beaten me I had now
finally begun to understand, appreciate, and bond with. It only took a group of chicas to help me
appreciate the joys of getting knocked down and washed up in the surf.
For more info on ChicaBrava's awesome all-girl surf camp experience check out their
site!
Sept 14, 2013
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Teresa Bergen - Great write-up, Sarah! And you look awesome on a surfboard..
READ MORE
Commented on 17-Sep-2013 05:52 PM
Srah - Thanks, Teresa!
What an awesome experience. Dying to get back in the surf..
Commented on 20-Sep-2013 04:01 PM
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