"How a week in Nicaragua turned me into a surfer"

I must first say that traveling is one of my greatest passions, and something I adore with all my heart. I was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, where we didn't have access to an ocean to surf every day, so I always dreamed of riding the waves like the surfers I watched at Huntington Beach in California. At the age of thirty, I decided to refine my surfing skills in Nicaragua, having surfed only a handful of times prior.

My current home, Portland, Oregon, has some intense waves along the coast, so I wanted to learn new skills to surf in these conditions.

A warm welcome to Los Clavos

I landed in Managua late in the evening and stayed overnight at the nearby hotel. In the morning, I met some other camp members in the hotel lobby, and we boarded a shuttle to the camp in Los Clavos. All was so easy and smooth, Lapoint made it effortless to venture to this rural place.

Upon arrival, we were all hot, tired, hungry, and eager to see the waves; so, it was a relief to stretch our legs and immediately see the ocean when we walked into the camp. The warm Lapoint team welcomed us, served us lunch, and showed us to our rooms. The beauty of this place is difficult to put into words and takes your breath away as your eyes scan the ocean and the vast sky.

The camp was overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, an expansive swimming pool beckoned you to dive in, and our huts were carefully placed along a curving path, adorned with straw roofs, each with a unique view of the sea.

My hut was a shared room with three other girls. We were all from different countries: Turkey, Germany, and the United Kingdom. We bonded immediately, and I found it quite wonderful to live with these new friends for a week.

The beds were comfortable, clean, and soft, and the room itself was gorgeous. A high thatched roof, wonderful bathroom, and delicate lighting made this place a dream. I could hear the ocean as I fell asleep, gazing at the stars. Reading lights were carefully placed near each bed so we could read without disturbing our new friends. This was a true oasis, and my heart was immediately warmed and full within the first hour.

Friendships were developed right from the start, laughter emerging as we swam, endless conversations as the sun set, dipping itself into the sea. The camp hosts were extraordinary, so kind and friendly. We had an opening meeting with the head surf instructor at Lapoint, a spectacular human named Joao, who went over how the week would unfold, our surfing schedule, and our levels. Everything was so pristinely organized, and I felt so honored to be at this magical place. A ball was tossed around, allowing us all to introduce ourselves and something unique about us. My new friends came from all over the world, and it was a joy to be surrounded by such an international group.

The food was exceptional, and for me, there was always a delicious, nutritious vegan option. Breakfast was always a treat – local fruit, handmade granola, and freshly baked banana bread and biscuits. A memorable lunch was after a rough day in the water, we were all ecstatic to dive into bowls of pasta, dressed in aromatic pesto. Each meal left me feeling nourished and full…ready to take on more waves. I felt so spoiled eating this way for a whole week!

Our first night ended early, and we all slept peacefully, waking early to prepare for our early lesson. Coffee was offered before we began some theory and introductions, and some stretching on yoga mats. My instructor was a lovely girl from Germany, Sirka, nearly ten years younger than me, but an exceptional teacher! Boards were prepared for us, and we drove to the beach and went into the water. It was a beautiful learning experience. The hours melted away, and we returned to camp. 

The whole week followed the same pattern, filled with theory, classes, stretching, and instruction in the pool and in the ocean early in the morning. Laughter, videos, feedback, and always a healthy offering of food three times a day.

I had also joined the yoga package and was able to practice yoga with an amazing instructor from Paris, Pauline, in the afternoons as the sun set over the ocean. The yoga pavilion became my favorite place, a spot I would sit in as the sun rose in the morning, the camp quiet as everyone slept. I journaled and stretched before the day began.

This was the most peaceful, constructive, and healthiest week of my life. I felt so relaxed, reading in the sun, swimming, and hanging with new friends during the day. Surfing was intense, but so great and powerful. I never thought I would be able to surf, and I can safely say I am on the path to becoming a surfer with the techniques acquired.

The instructors understood so much about our mistakes, guiding us towards improvement. Even though we were worn out, we still managed to have fun after lessons. Playing games, talking, going out for meals, and going on solo walks or swims.

Not only that, but my surfing skills improved significantly, even if by the end of the week, I was quite exhausted and getting attacked by waves on the last day. The fine-tuning of foot placement, the physics of the pop-up, where to distribute weight in your feet, how to shuffle and turn – so many intricate skills I gained during this week in Nicaragua. Skills that I will carry with me for the rest of my surfing journey.

After this blissful week, returning to reality has been a significant challenge, but I learned so much not just about surfing but about myself. And that I am capable of doing more than I think. As our shuttle ventured back to the airport one week later, we all reflected on the spectacular week. A week from a dream.

We are social creatures, needing this type of interaction to thrive. I cannot wait to surf more and to join another Lapoint Camp. I hope to be surfing in Sri Lanka soon, learning how to navigate the Indian Ocean waves. So many more people to meet, places to see, food to taste, and oceans to surf in. I feel refreshed and renewed after this week… Now what is next?

Author: Michaela Tomchek