Surfer Girl Hair Care

The surfer girl hairstyle often exudes an effortless, beachy vibe that many admire. However, the reality behind this look is far less glamorous. Frequent exposure to saltwater, sun, and wind takes a toll on our hair, leaving it dehydrated, burnt, and frizzy.

The combination of these elements dries hair out, stripping it of its natural oils. Over time, this results in a host of issues such as split ends, tangles, and a lack of shine. Products designed to maintain the surfer aesthetic can sometimes add to the problem, as many may contain ingredients that can further damage and dry out hair.

To keep surf hair looking its best, essential care is needed. Here are some pro tips from my most recent chat with fellow surfer and hair speacialist Jenna.

  1. Rinse hair as soon as you get out of the water

  2. Do not use hair oils in the sun

  3. Apply leave in conditioner to hair after you shower

  4. Avoid hair products with volume.

  5. Get your split ends trimmed every 3 months

The Ocean And All That I Am

My heart is heavy, I am sad

I feel lost in this world, seperate and alone

Come be with me says the Ocean.

I grab my surfboard , I head to the surf

I ask the water please heal me, I am sad, I feel alone in this world

The waves touch my toes inviting me in.

The ocean says come be with me, I will hold you, I will love you, I am always here for you. I will heal your broken heart and the parts of you that feel lost, sad and alone.

I am pure love the ocean says. I am always here with you and for you, I never leave your side. You don’t have to feel alone anymore.

I am you and you are me.

I realize I am the ocean..

The I Am presence that I am is always with me. I don’t have to go anywhere or be any different or do anything.

It is the present moment. It is what we all are in our essence and is always right here.

Thank you ocean for reminding me who I am…

THIS IS WHAT SURF DREAMS ARE MADE OF....

Southern Costa Rica has stolen my heart. Here is why……

We knew this place was going to be magical but honestly, I don’t really have the words to express just how magic southern Costa Rica really is…… In this mostly photo blog, I will do my best to share our experience with you all.

Tray all smiles

First off huge thank you to our one and only Tray. She shared this beautiful spot with us and encourage us to run a retreat here. It took a few years to make it happen and we just launched dates for next Summer, June 14th -21st.

Ronnie our local surf guide and new buddy! Sharing a laugh with Mary.

Glassy wave, rider Angela and Marjie.

Happy moments from the week.

Waves for days.

Images by the talented Jennifer Kushman

SOUTHERN COSTA RICA

Where the Jungle meets the ocean

image by the talented Sarah Swan


The Osa Peninsula may not be the easiest place to reach, but it is defiantly worth the travel time. The jungle creeps right to the sea and a plethora of wildlife can be viewed from your front porch. Macaws, toucans, parrots and monkeys are just a few of the locals here. The Osa also happens to be home to consistent southwest swell April- October. Creating beautiful, groomed rolling swell that gently peels of headlands into the bay.

We have been dreaming of hosting a retreat here for years and it is finally happening. Traveling here requires an additional domestic flight into Puerto Jimenez. Because of the longer travel time this retreat is 6 days 7 nights. Dates are June 15th- 22nd and this retreat is also co-ed. Well behaved children 12+ will be considered, must be able to swim.

Limited space available. 

want to surf better? come here!

This is the place to come to if you are looking to take your surfing to the next level and become more confident in the water. Soft gentle waves suitable for beginners and advanced surfers alike. Perfect slow breaking waves that will give you time to work on improving your surfing. Learn how to create more speed on the open face, cut back, and perfect your pop-up.








3 TIPS TO SURF BETTER, NOW!

Number 1

Choose the right wave! Sounds simple but not every wave is perfect. Look for a “peaky one”. Not to steep not to rolling. Position yourself in the right spot and look for an open wave, not a close out. A close out will be one long line of equal height along the it. Close-out

Open wave

Number 2

Paddle at least 3 more times than you think you should. Drop your chin towards the board and dig deep, those 3 extra paddles are almost always needed to catch the wave.

Paddle with your chin towards the board = more weight forward

Number 3

Look in the direction you want to go, do not look down. When we are surfing where you look is where you go. So please look down the line. Trust your feet will land in the right spot and keep your gaze on the unbroken part of the wave.

MINI RETREATS

SEPTEMBER HIGHLIGHTS NORTH CAROLINA

SURF CITY, NC SEPTEMBER 2024, HURRICANE SWELL

This past September we headed back to North for another round of Mini Retreats. Here are our highlights from Maine and North Carolina.

Once again, the surf gods blessed us with incredible waves in Surf City. Not only was the surf great but we couldn’t have picked a for a better crew ourselves. From seasoned surfers to a few fearless newbies the ladies were absolutely amazing.

The first day the waves were small and forgiving perfect for our beginners to work on popping up and for the advanced ladies to gain some confidence in the smaller surf.

The next morning the swell started to fill in but was still manageable, EVERYONE, in our group paddled out through the endless sets to the line up and all scored some amazing rides. Throughout the day the surf peaked and when we finally got out of the water the waves had doubled in size.

Our last day the surf was still solid but less consistent, again all the ladies charged it to the line up and got great rides.

VIDEO: LAST SEPTEMBER SURF CITY

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Our mini retreats include3 days jam packed with tons of surfing, in water coaching, video analysis, and so much more. Below is an outline of the day-to-day program. The days are scheduled around the surf, and we generally surf around sunrise to get the best conditions. We cover a lot of material in just a short few days. There is both a beginner and an intermediate/advanced group option. We will cover slightly different information for each group. Whether you are a first-time surfer or looking to improve your skills our goal for these mini retreats is for you to leave feeling more confidant in your surfing in and out of the water.

* If you are an intermediate to advanced surfer and have something specific in your surfing you want to improve, please let us know and we can add it to the criteria. *If you are a beginner, we got you covered too.

NEW DATES FOR 2024-2025

WHEN + WHERE

COSTA RICA - PLAYA GRANDE WINTER 2024- 2025

NOVEMBER 9-11

JANUARY 1-3

JANUARY 24-26

FEBRUARY 1-3

FEBRUARY 24-26

FEBRUARY 16-20 (FIVE DAY ADVANCED, CONTACT FOR DETAILS)

PUERTO RICO - AGUADILLA

NOVEMBER 22-24

SURF CITY, NORTH CAROLINA & MAINE COMING SOON

PRICE

3 DAYS - $650

1 DAY DROP IN PRICE - $250

WE REQUIRE A $250 NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT FOR ALL MINI RETREATS

Surf City Mini Retreat

Testimonial September Mini Retreat, Surf City NC

Umm. 5 big takeaways from this experience with ya all. After paddling out alone today in big swell at Wrightsville Beach I reflected on what I learned and gained the past 2 days.

1) confidence and more “inner knowing” that I’m a better surfer than I think. And to trust myself more. This confidence allowed me to paddle out alone today in bigger swell than I would normally fly solo in. I was calm and confident…. Because

2) I watched longer on the beach than usual, and picked the perfect channel and timing to paddle out and picked the perfect shoulders to ride.

3) I was more patient and selective in the lineup, because of what I learned from you all about reading waves and not going for closeout sets. And being more patient to paddle for the perfect wave and shoulder. I heard Coco and Marjie in my ear today.

3) I am now committing, to the scary drop rather than hesitating. With confidence and digging in one more paddle and shifting my mindset to “I know I can make this drop because I did before. With photos to prove it.”

4) I let the salty silvers in the lineup have priority today, and started conversations with them, asked them questions and learned rather than dropping in on them. Or wondering why they keep dropping in on me.

5) I chatted up all the women (I didn’t know) in the lineup today and made new friends, helped stoke them in a lineup full of dudes. Because I was less anxious, and using my breathing I could offer support and stoke.

Thank you!!! Thank you. The coaching, and photos are phenomenal. This is the first time I’ve heard my name and the word barrel in the same sentence even if it was “almost” barreled. And it was my first surf coaching experience. Grateful to all involved in making this happen and am excited for future collabs and experiences with sister surf and my new surf city surfer friends. ❤️

-Lisa @surfmamasofcapefear (pictured below)

SUNCREEN, WHAT REALLY WORKS

We use sunscreen almost everyday and have tried so many different brands before we found what works for us. Because we spend so much time in the sun/ ocean it is imperative that we are putting clean products on our skin and on our babies.

It is surprising to me that something that is supposed to protect you from sun cancer can be so toxic for your skin. For example Sun Bum and Shiseido sunscreens have terrible rating according to the Environmental Working Group. With Shiseido being the official sunscreen of the World Surf League its a huge bummer they use all plastic packaging and their lowest rating on the EWG is a five. After all we are all surfers and shouldn’t polluting the ocean with plastics and toxic chemicals be a huge concern.

So enough of my rant, here is what we found that works and what we look for.


What do you look for in a good sunscreen for your face?

  • non- nano zinc oxide

  • tint/color

  • reef safe

  • plastic free packaging

  • cancer rating according to the Environmental Working Group -https://www.ewg.org/areas-focus/personal-care-products/sunscreen

Here are a list of our favorite sunscreens.

  • All Good - https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/about-the-sunscreens/1023464/All_Good_Mineral_Sunscreen_Butter%2C_SPF_50%2B/

  • Avasol Sunscreen -EWG rating info-https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/about-the-sunscreens/932882/Avasol_Mineral_Sunscreen_Surfer%27s_Barrier_Stick%2C_SPF_30/


SELF CARE AT SISTER SURF & YOGA RETREATS

Last year we added a day of self-care to our retreats. An afternoon to spend some time moving slowly and rewarding our bodies with some much need relaxation. Here is a glimpse of our self-care afternoon routine.

After our surf session, we have a super relaxing yin yoga practice we sometimes call it a yoga nap class. We normally spend most of the class lying down and gently stretching. Followed by a short breathing practice which prepares us for our next activity…. ICE BATH! Depending on location we continue the self-care routine with coffee body scrubs or a trip to the tidal pools or hot springs.

*May include a tropical drink or local tea or smoothie. Massages are also available on request.

Face mask + coffee scrub

We use volcanic mud facial masks and use Costa Rican coffee + coconut oil body scrubs.

Cryotherapy has been trending for athletes for years but is it quite expensive. Alternatively, ice baths are cheap and can easily be available for everyone. All you need is some kind of tub, bags of ice, and H2O.

How long do you stay in?

The goal is three minutes. We are right by your side encouraging you to breath and be calm. Of course, you can come out at any time!

Here are some of the reasons we love ice baths.

  • reduces inflammation, swelling, and sore muscles.

  • improves sleep

  • improves immune system response

  • increased energy

  • speeds up metabolism

  • speeds up recovery after exercise


Stay tuned for more amazing happenings!