As surfers, we are closely connected with the environment. While the ocean may seem vast, our actions affect it greatly. The ways which surfers pollute the ocean are sometimes obvious, but so often ignored.

We all apply generous amounts of wax on our boards each session, only to have to reapply the next time. When you stop and think about it, its destination is obvious. When 20 million surfers commit the same act, the effects accumulate significantly. Sunscreen is also applied and rinsed off on a daily basis, eventually killing coral reefs.
Surfing equipment is mostly disposable and usually toxic. Fiberglass surfboards are extremely fragile and need to be replaced frequently. It’s not uncommon for a professional surfer to use a board for less than a week before discarding it. Every time a new board is shaped and glassed, large amounts of Volatile Organic Chemicals are released into the environment, which contaminate groundwater.

Wetsuits are similarly disposable. If you’re lucky, a high quality wetsuit might last a few years. Neoprene suits inevitably break down, usually at the seams, which diminishes their usefulness. Currently, wetsuits cannot be made using natural materials. Toxic solvents and glues are used in the laminating process and neoprene is typically made from petroleum.

With a few simple choices, we can turn everything around. There are natural waxes, sunscreens without harmful ingredients, surfboards which emit far less VOCs and last much longer, and wetsuits that are more durable and made with fewer chemicals. By choosing responsible products, we can minimize our own impact and persuade producers to become more sustainable.

For more information visit Green Surf Shop.

Enjoy a vacation with your sister.

By Ellen Barone

Is traveling with your sister on vacation a recipe for disaster? It doesn’t have to be as long as you lay down some ground rules first. Here are a few travel-tested truths for keeping peace in the sister hood.
1) Leave the baggage at home: Sibling relationships can be fraught with the peril of childhood roles, divergent interests and unspoken resentments. So, no matter if you’re the big sis used to being in charge or the baby accustomed to being indulged, leave the birth-order baggage at home.
2) Privatize: Allow for private time in your itinerary.
3) Get thee to chocolate: If you start to get snarky, or she does, take two chocolates and another in the morning. If symptoms escalate, wine is also recommended.
4) Play well with others. Say please and thank you a lot. Show respect, admit your mistakes and never be a tattletale.
5) Money, money, money. Be sure to discuss in advance your expectations for sharing costs, the level of accommodation or how paying for meals is to be handled.

For the complete story visit HERE.

Happy V-Day

Beyond the commercialism of Valentine’s Day, let this day be a reminder that LOVE for yourself and others should be top priority in your life. I know I may sound like I’m preaching and maybe I am, but I find that when I put LOVE in all my relationships and dealings with people that it adds a bit of lightness. This isn’t easy, mind you and is a practice. I have the words LOVE spelled out right across from my desk, whenever I look up, there it is. Sending LOVE your way from SwellWomen.

Sending you a beautiful sunset.

Happy Holidays from SwellWomen!

Wishing you an abundance of friends, happiness, and fun this holiday season. We should live every day like it is a holiday, being thankful and spending time with family and friends.

I say Ground Hogs Day because everyday was the same. The day started with a 5:15am wake up KNOCK at your cabana door (if you are lucky that is). Then, it’s a quick change into your suit, grab your back pack and a stop in the kitchen. I’m not much of a Starbucks partaker but getting up at that hour warranted caffeine. What was suppose to be coffee, was actually as strong as espresso and after drinking my cup on the first day (I later learned that a 1/4 cup was just fine for me), I spontaneously yelled out, “Ole!” and we were off to surf.

The rest of the day goes as follows; surfing, surfing, eating, more surfing and eating with some time for lounging and “HT (Hammock Time)”. Some of the highlights other than surfing were a visit to the hot springs, Pasoy Card games for toothpicks and Lobster Fest night. Of course my o’hana for the week was pretty amazing as well; thanks Rob, Stu, Tyler, Al and Jammel for all the Good Times, Laughs and Ping Pong. (Next year, we WILL do the talent show!)

Popoyo Surf Lodge, Nicaragua

Al from the UK and I taking a breather before another surf session.

My bungaloo for the week, next door to Carlos and Carlita.

Carlos (Carlita was taking a nap).

Some of the Crew (Jammel, Al, Ricardo, Rob and me)

Checking out Two Brothers Surf Camp

I was the big winner at Pasoy...my winnings, toothpicks.

Some surf spots we will be at during our stay in Nicaragua.

By the time this gets published I will be surfing it up in Nicaragua. I’ve never been to Nicaragua before and am very excite to be on a surf trip! You may be wondering why I would be traveling to surf if Maui is such a wonderful place to surf. It’s definitely hard to leave paradise, but it’s also necessary to get out and travel and experience adventures just like our guests do when they come to our retreats. Being in a ‘beginner’s mind’ and enjoying new experiences is something that everyone should do. It inspires and rejuvenates, the world opens up and compassion and acceptance naturally come forth. Look forward to some posts from our Nicaragua adventures!

My first run on my first day of my vacation was…well, .exhilerating.  It was scary, actually. I wondered if my guests felt this way when the bigger sets roll in during their surf lessons. My second run on my down hill mtn bike was not so exhilerating…this is when I went over the handle bars and broke my arm. Ouch!

A cast up to my shoulder and plenty of campers providing sympathy left me saying, Now What? I have 13 days left on my vacation in Whistler, Canada. Hmmm…. My expectations of becoming a stronger mtn. biker and having an adventure flew past me as I landed with both arms extended (don’t do this!) into the mountain dirt.

My experience definitely changed. I went with the flow. I took long walks and was a regular at the lake. I had time to myself.

I’m not an amazing mtn. bike rider and that’s OK. What I am , is a person just starting to ‘learn’ to accept what life throws at you instead of fighting it. Going with the flow…thanks Louise for the reminder.

Before Shot

After Shot

After, After Shot. Playing Ukulele is great Physical Therapy :-)