Surf Norway

I am surfing through womanhood realizing that suddenly I'm of a biological age where I can safely conceive, I've accelerated past those carefree years of self doubt and mistake making to arrive here. She unleashed. I heard this term recently and fell in love with it, the theory goes, (apologies gentlemen for the femalecentric nature of this phrase), that we are several versions of woman, they exist in our head the mother, the caregiver, the wildling, the protector, the she wolf. All these versions that we keep tabs on, far from being a metaphor for schizophrenia, is a rousing battle call to not be afraid to be all that we are.

I'm entering a phrase of my life that is dominated by a deep knowing, there is still lots of wisdom to be had but I am starting to feel I am the authority when it comes to governing me. Sophia. Gone are the days of passively allowing people to dominate me, or relationships which turned into regimes. My agenda is to do no harm but take no sh!t. It's starting to feel terribly empowering!

In May I fulfilled a life long ambition of mine, I organised and ran a surf & yoga retreat to Norway. It was magical not because we got pristine glassy waves but because in that short week in the wilds of Hoddevik we created community. The yoga turned our gazes inwards delving deeper into our ideas of self and the scenery outside made us feel connected to nature again. I came home floating on air, totally overwhelmed through luck and hard work I'd managed to actually pull it off. This feeling of total bliss lasted about a week, when the all the inner peace I had conjured on that trip got overwhelmed by life outside of ashram living.

Then the real work began. Trying to replicate that peace I had felt in Norway and integrating it into my everyday life. I got massively overwhelmed, tried to throw myself into new projects all the while desperately paddling upstream. You can't go against the flow of things, however much you try. Sometimes you have to allow yourself to flounder a little. When you acknowledge you're not ok, then you actually give yourself half a chance to resolve feelings of melancholy. I had to get help, I talked to my darling, I spoke to friends, I went SUP (stand up paddle boarding). Of course I meditated and made time for my own yoga practice. I've learnt there is life after your dreams, after you've fulfilled your hearts desire. The important part of dream conjuring is to acknowledge where you are right now, to acknowledge your happiness so it can safeguard you and act as a reminder in difficult times, that you will be happy again.

Stay strong love bugs, you've got this.

Love

Sophia x 

Photos courtesy of Jemima Stubbs Photography 

Mavericks: the surfers body.

Whilst crying at the end of Chasing Mavericks, this probably being my 60th time of watching it, I began to conjure a blog post related to the reoccurring plot theme of hard work. 

Being a land locked surfer makes training for surf that little bit trickier as the saying goes;

'...the only way to train for surfing is to go surfing,' 
which is true. 

That being said there are some things I believe you can do pre trip to help your body recover quicker post surf and make the most of your limited time at the beach. 

1. Train like an athlete. 

Swimming didn't work for me, training for a marathon didn't work for me - what built a surfer body (i.e. strong core, big arms, broad shoulders) was yoga. 

Now I know I'm biased being a yoga teacher but I swear an hour (my usual) or even just 20 minutes a day (ok, my actual usual)! Has made a difference to my physicality. I am leaner so I'm quicker in my pop ups, all those chatarangas and downward facing dogs have built my triceps up which are one of the primary muscles we use in paddling, and I have a strong core which certainly helps towards balance. I couldn't paddle mavericks but I know that considering my location and lack of surfing I've managed to keep a certain level of fitness up which is what I'll need when I surf Norway next week. 

I think it's important to remember that surfers come in all shapes and sizes you don't have to look like an Abercrombie & Fitch model to be able to surf, but I think the important cues from yoga - listening to your body, focusing on your breath, developing a strong mind are all great things to hone. 

2. Have a mantra. 

As Frosty in Chasing Mavericks so aptly said 'Fear is useful, panic is dangerous,' when I feel scared in a set or am starting to get fatigued I have a little mantra or phrase which helps me keep focused and above all safe in the water. 

If things are going ok I say over and over in my mind 'Samsara is Nirvana' which is the Buddhist way of saying no pain, no gain! Paddle, paddle, paddle! 

If I'm shit scared and a wave is about to break on my head I usually say:

'Get your shit together.' 

Mantras are personal so pick one that feels right to you! 

3. Get a Forecast. 

I am a habitual procrastinator but pre trip I do look at forecasts, get travel insurance and remember to do admin things to ensure my trip goes as well as possible. I have been stranded on an Island, had my bank card stolen in the airport, got so sick I've had to go to hospital, nearly drowned and even been held at gun point - could you imagine how much worse all of these would have been if I didn't know the swell, the area or not got travel insurance!!!! 

4. Eat to thrive.  

I'm not a qualified nutritionist but I am a qualified yoga teacher, who has studied the yogic lifestyle, which seems to have been helping yogis for thousands of years! The Yogic diet is based on the three gunas which is a way of eating to aid mindfulness, I have written in depth about it here. 
I am going to keep this brief as there is a wealth of information out there and I think healthy eating is very personal to the individual, you have to get to know your own body and the fuel which makes it operate at it's functional best. In my personal example, I have found a mostly vegan diet with occasional halloumi cheats has kept me strong and cleared my skin, cutting out sugar from my tea has given me more energy and preparing meals from scratch has really made a difference. 

(Top Tip: Bulk cook on Sundays or buy ingredients as and when for recipes. I've found this has saved me a lot of time and ensures I don't waste money on supermarket deals and promotions as I only buy what I need for that nights meal). 

I think the most important gift you can give to your health is the gift of compassion. When it's moon cycle (which is the hippie way of saying period), I don't deny myself chocolate or a little dairy. I've learnt to not be too hard on myself which I was doing when I became a strict vegan. The issues are still very important to me but I can't discuss sustainability, cruelty etc when I am making myself ill or depleted. 

5. Think way of life. 

Although I still call myself a 'land locked surfer' I try my best to stop compartmentalizing myself purely because I don't live by the sea and am not a pro surfer. Surfing makes me goofy happy and that's important but like everything in life I'm not what I do. The way I make people feel and the compassion I show others and this planet is the point. I don't have to have long hair, a tan, I don't have to surf everyday or ride a short board to be a surfer - You've got to have soul baby. 

6. And finally... 

Watch some surf films - there's nothing like Chasing Mavericks, Blue Crush or my beloved Point Break which gets me ready for a surf sesh! 

Until next time lovebugs! 

Mahalo! 

x 

Standing still.

" The sea's only gifts are harsh blows, and occasionally the chance to feel strong. Now I don't know much about the sea, but I do know that that's the way it is here. And I also know how important it is in life not necessarily to be strong but to feel strong. To measure yourself at least once. To find yourself at least once in the most ancient of human conditions. Facing the blind deaf stone alone, with nothing to help you but your hands and your own head.  "

- Chris McCandless

Perfecting the art of the wipe out. 

I can understand how to a non surfer, the prospect of having a slab of saltwater dumped on your head, in conditions which can only be described as 'Baltic,' may not seem all that appealing. Even now, I still shudder at the kook enthusiasm me and my best friend Jemima exhibited when we took the train to Saltburn and surfed for the first time ever in SNOW and ICE- such was our enthusiasm. 

For most of last year I switched off my 'surfer brain', or at least buried the compulsion in some dark alcove of my mind. This is partly because of the contentment I was/am feeling in my relationship (still going strong with Mr Sunshine my Nigerian Prince)! But largely it was because the pain and frustration of missing the sea was distracting and not very productive to starting a new business. 

What I've learnt is that surfing has become a very big part of my life and denying my desire to pursue this is as futile as putting costumes on dogs. You can't hide your true nature. Surfing is not just waves and adrenaline it is friendship, community, joy, bliss and as Chris McCandless so eloquently put it- an opportunity to feel strong. 

2016 has already started differently. I have come to terms with the fact I am not going to ride off into the sunset on a whim to go live by the sea. I am land locked, I have a job, commitments and I am not in a position to abandon it all to become a beach bum. 

As Surfabella a fellow land locked surfer (who happens to be like, amazing) writes in her article 'Why being a land locked surfer isn't so bad' - sometimes there's merit in the longing, rather than whinging about it you can look at your land locked status not as an affliction but an opportunity to travel, savor every moment and be the only mermaid in the village!! 

So. 2016. Here's to the surf weekends yet to happen. 

Mahalo love bugs. 

Love Sophia x 

Pura Vida

I didn't go abroad until I was seventeen, I worked in a golf club for a year until I'd saved up enough to spend one month working on a conservation project in Croatia. To this day I still have a girlish mix of fear, wonderment and utter disbelief when I find myself in a different country. For many years Africa has been the siren call and I've answered every time. Getting surf in West and South Africa was life changing in many ways but Africa has always felt like home. 

I've had a fascination with Central & South America ever since childhood, watching jungle documentaries on BBC One. This May I had the luck and privilege to go to Costa Rica and surf in the warm waters of Jaco Beach, 2 hours away from San Jose. For once I wasn't a solo traveler and had the travel companion of my beloved Mr Sunshine (the boyfriend)! 

When you first get off the plan the humidity feels like your living in an armpit, there wasn't a day when my face wasn't shiny with sweat. Flying from a UK time zone makes jet lag a reality too so for the first few days both Mr Sunshine and I stumbled around in a tired daze. This did not distract us from the fact we were living in paradise. Sipping water on the balcony I could watch red macaw parrots fly from tree to tree and at nigh the chirp of insects made me wonder what I'd share my bed with later! 

But enough of that. Let's talk about the waves. 

I'm not going to get technical and discuss the height or geography of Jaco beach, I'm going to tell you how it made me feel. Ever since Morocco my love for longboards has been growing and so when I spotted a beauty in the hostel surf hire, I didn't hesitate to give her a spin. In Costa Rica surf culture is rife so the break is a crowded but not unpleasant one. The pura vida (pure life) ethos makes Costa Ricans (particularly the surfers) amazing, wonderful people. As a female surfer it was awesome seeing a line up littered with local girls and I found myself whooping encouragement when I saw a senorita catch a good wave. 

On the first day of surfing I took a lesson, mostly because I could support Mr Sunshine as he learns but partly because I like to get to know the locals and have some respect for local knowledge. A short boarder called John quickly realized I was a different level to Mr Sunshine so took me straight out back where I spent the next two hours getting ride after beautiful ride. 

Then it happened.

 Three years into surfing I got told by a Costa Rican local that I'm an 'advanced' surfer. I then proceeded to turn my board as though I've mastered this for years (not the case). His compliment was music to my ears, after years of surfing cold British waters, sporadic trips every four months or so, the land locked depression, despite it all I've learnt how to surf. 

Its funny, because although I appreciated the compliment I realize I didn't need the validation. Perhaps I'm eking into soul surfer territory here, but I've reached a stage in my surfing where  standing up isn't the priority, neither is catching a perfect wave. Its more than that, it's about reconnecting with myself when I'm sat astride my board, meeting and becoming friends with amazing like minded people and loving the sea for all that she is, an amazing ecosystem. 

Costa Rica was AMAZING but I've come to appreciate that surfing doesn't only have to be about exotic locations, warm water and tans. Surfing can be anything you want it to be, the same as happiness can be found being mashed up in the North Sea wearing a wet suit so thick you feel like the Michelin man. 

Each to their own I say! 

 *Unfortunately I got my camera stolen on the last day so these are the only photos I have from off my phone! Hence the shocking quality!

First stop Madrid! We had a two day lay over here which was awesome! 

We had the pleasure of watching pros at Hermosa beach at the weekly surf contest. 

As you can see sweat is an accessory in Costa Rica, wear it with a smile and it's ok!!! 

Until next time, 

Stay strong, surf well 
Love 

Silence.

Sometimes I am utterly convinced I'm an old soul and that I've lived a few lives before the one I have now. When I was young I used to go through the motions of attending parties all the while feeling like I didn't belong there. I wasn't a wall flower, in fact I was/am usually the first on the dance floor, but I guess my heart wasn't in it. My long term friends joke that I'm Grandma on account of my insatiable tea habit and quiet. Now that I am hopelessly in love (still going steady wohooo) and a bunny momma my nesting instinct is even stronger.

Happiness to me is curled up with my boys. 

Bruh bunny and Mr Sunshine sharing popcorn here. 

Real men are kind to animals 

Too cute to breath! 

My Mr Sunny being a stealth photographer here! 

By nature I'm a worrier, I am somebody that both needs and hates busyness, heck I even called my rabbit 'Hectic Bruh' after a South African saying for crazy waves! 

Both surfing and yoga found me almost simultaneously and I believe are there to help me enjoy the silence. Both yoga and surfing turn you inwards and make you concentrate on your breath and being present. 
Neither are a sport or a hobby to me they are a way of life and I'm so grateful I have both these endeavours to remind me to stand still and enjoy the silence!   

 It was after some silence and contemplation I finally came up with the name for my yoga and animal assisted therapy business (taking animals to care homes as therapy). I ran it past the family and landed on:

 Love the sound of 'Wild at heart Yoga & Animal Assisted Therapy,' it both excites me and scares me shit less!! I'm finally living my dream, taking a leap of faith and fashioning and life all of my very own. 

Oh and there shall be surfing in this life. Oh the surfing! 


Until next time,
Stay strong and surf well
Love

Namaste surfer.

Wouldn't be a very good surf yogini now would I if I didn't provide you with some yoga advice to improve your surfing?! 

Having being a keen runner, swimmer and gym bunny I can vouch with all the credibility of a certified yoga teacher that yoga seems (in my opinion) the best exercise to compliment your surfing. On an anatomical level yoga increases core strength which contributes to better balance (which you sure as hell need when trying to stand up on a moving board)! The balance postures such as eagle pose, warrior III etc challenge your brain increasing your concentration and all that stretching can help prevent injury. 

Perhaps the most important benefit of yoga is that it creates mindfulness and focus through meditation and pranayma (breathing) techniques. When the fear factor starts to take over in a big wave situation it is the breathing techniques I use in my yoga practice which drags my attention back to the present and helps me regain my composure. Here are a few yoga moves which I feel really help with improving your surfing (when your stuck on land like me and need something to do)! 

Upward facing dog.  

Up dog is a good surf move for various reasons. Firstly it is great for the lower back and for stretching out the abdominal muscles. I find this asana (posture) particularly good because it reminds you to keep your hands by the side of your chest when inhaling up, this is exactly the same placement of the hands for an effective pop up. Placing the hands anywhere but at the side of your chest causes the board to wobble and for you to wipe out. 

Chaturanga (yoga push ups).

They are brutal but my gosh they work! Chaturanga i.e. yoga push ups are all about upper body strength and core. If you repeatedly do these in a vinyasa flow sequence you will make your pop ups a hundred times easier. 

Kakasana (crow pose) 

Crow pose might not look like an obvious posture for surfing but it is a balance and any balance is great for mental focus and concentration. This also happens to target the upper arms again helping with those pop ups. Below is a step by step guide follow from left to right to accomplish this pose. 

 Salabhasana & Dhanurasana (Locust & bow pose) 

Both locust and bow pose mimic the position the lower back is in when your paddling out on a surf board. As the lower back is such a delicate area any asana which strengthens this is good in the long run. Remember your only as young as your spine! 

Mediation.

 

Don't wish for it, work for it. Make time in your schedule to meditate, make it a priority as routine as brushing your teeth. Help yourself be a better surfer by visualizing riding those waves creating mental clarity necessary to accomplish just that.  

There are a multitude of asanas (the yogic way of saying postures) that I could have included in this guide but these are the ones which stand out in my mind as being particularly beneficial. Get your butt to a yoga class near you and start seeing the positive ramifications in your life. 

Until next time,

Stay strong and surf well

Love