Women’s Surf Camps
Welcome to CHICABRAVA™, the first and best all girls surf camp in Nicaragua, Central America. CHICABRAVA™ is an elite camp for adventurous women who appreciate comfort as well as challenge.
CHICABRAVA™ all-girls surf camp is principally located in the quaint fishing village of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, only 30 minutes north of Costa Rica. We offer a variety of surf/travel packages, which include surfing world class waves, spectacular accommodations, authentic local cuisine, yoga, soothing massage, and a variety of exciting activities in a safe environment.
From the moment we greet you at the airport until we send you off in style, our lively staff is committed to making sure that your journey is both amazing and unforgettable!
All you need to do is ask yourself… Are you CHICABRAVA™?
Ashley Blaylock is the founder of CHICABRAVA™. Born and raised in a large family of 8 children in Houston, TX, Ashley came to Nicaragua in 2003 and immediately fell in love with San Juan del Sur. She competes locally and internationally for the National Nicaraguan Surf Team, holds title as National Champ in Women’s surfing in Nicaragua for 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, and 4th in Central America in 2007. Ashley has surfed all over the world including the Mentawai Islands and Bali in Indonesia, Mexico, Spain, Hawaii, California, Panama, Costa Rica, and Guatemala. Ashley is a licensed attorney in the State of Texas and resides full time in Nicaragua as founder and owner of CHICABRAVA Surf Camp.
About Nicaragua:
Please note that, while Nicaragua has great amenities and spectacular food and experiences to enjoy, it is still a third world country and infrastructure in Nicaragua is not the same as where you may be coming from. Electricity and water are valuable and scarce resources and, as in many developing countries, we sometimes have water and power outages or “brown outs” that can run from a few hours to a full day. Our camp is equipped with a water tank and loads of candles and matches in case we experience one of these infrequent outages while you are here. We just want you to keep this in mind when choosing to travel to Nicaragua.
The Cloud Farm
CHICABRAVA™ is principally located at private retreat within a gorgeous and secluded 500-acre private reserve and farm overlooking the town of San Juan del Sur and its picturesque bay. The farm sits 1200 to 1500 ft. high on a plateau, offering spectacular views of the entire coastline and a significantly cooler climate than in the town below. We’re surrounded by a steep escarpment on two sides and mountains on the other, which offer unparalleled privacy and security. This is the perfect choice for guests who want to “get-away-from-it-all” at our gorgeous open-air surf retreat and enjoy the beauty and serenity of nature!
The Farm has hundreds of acres of indigenous forest, fruit orchards and organic gardens. Most of our food is organically grown right here! Enjoy fresh organic fruits, vegetables, free range chicken and beef served daily. Our milk comes fresh from the cows, boiled, and served every morning with our own organic coffee! Vegetarian? No problem! Our staff is here to serve you and will attend to your every need.
There are lots of great activities right here on the Farm too! Tour the farm on horseback, milk the cows, get the eggs from the chicken coop, pick fresh fruit from the orchards or vegetables from the garden, visit the wood shop where all our furniture is made, or just lay by the pool and soak up the sun and tranquility in the free time between surfing, massage, and yoga!
Things to do:
When you come to CHICABRAVA™ you will certainly have no lack of exciting things to do. Please ask our staff to schedule any activities, the massages are excellent…
Massage: All guests at CHICABRAVA™ are invited to enjoy a complimentary one hour healing full body massage by our licensed massage therapist.
Yoga for Surfers: Yoga is a mind-clearing practice as well as a valuable tool to improve your surfing by increased flexibility and core stabilization. Learn ways to increase your stability and power whether you are just starting to surf or looking for ways to strengthen your surfing maneuvers. There will be three classes for camps at the Cloud Farm and two classes for camps at the Surf House.
Boating: Weather permitting we’ll take a boat trip to a private beach and surf with no one else out! Let us know if you’d like to troll for fun for fish along the way! (Not included for Beginner/Intermediate camps at the Surf House).
Surf + Community Service
CHICABRAVA™ and Comunidad Connect (see below) are collaborating to provide unique opportunities to take a break from the waves and share your other fabulous skills and life experience! In addition to any of our surf packages you can add time on to your trip to participate in one of the below community service activities:
- Teaching and Learning – Be the teacher and learn a lot! For experienced teachers or folks who want to get their wet. We will guide you in teaching classes for adults or children. With tourism being its principal industry there is always a need for ESL in San Juan. Mon commitment 3 ½ days. Min 1 person. Starts at $150
- Respect Your Mother – Support mother earth by helping with a beach clean-up, planting trees and gardens, composting, or teaching recycled art. Min commitment 1 ½ day. Min 4 people. Starts at $200 for most, $300 for planting.
- Leveling the Playing Field – Lead a sports clinic for young people in baseball, soccer, volleyball, basketball, surfing or swimming. Min commitment 2 ½ days. Min 3 people. $200
What is Comunidad Connect?
Comunidad Connect is a section 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization working with the vision of unity, communication, cooperation, and support between Nicaraguans and foreigners living in or visiting Nicaragua. By bringing together these two communities Comunidad Connect capitalizes on their individual strengths and addresses their individual needs in a way that is mutually beneficial.
Comunidad Connect focuses on community development projects around the San Juan del Sur area in the southwest of Nicaragua. These projects include recycling and the environment and sports, as well as volunteer and educational tourism.
Additional Ways You Can Help?
- You can also contribute by bringing down any of the following items:
- Soccer equipment
- Basketball equipment
- Volleyball equipment
- Baseball equipment
- Softball equipment
- Clothing
- Shoes
- Books
- School supplies
- Art supplies
- Bilingual dictionaries
- Baby formula
- Adult diapers
Our surf camps are modeled after traditional surf camp tours that historically service men only… the idea is simple: All surf, all day – Chicas only.
We’ve been in Nicaragua since 2003 and provide you with the knowledge and access necessary to surf all of the prime breaks along the southern Pacific Coast of Nicaragua. Our team of surf guides and instructors are here because we love the sport and we want you to love it also. Daily tours are accessed by 4×4 and/or boat. We hope when you leave you will agree that surfing is not only an amazing experience; it is a way of life.
Chica Brava Surf Camp Pricing & Packages
The Cloud Farm ($1600/person) – The Cloud Farm is our original luxury camp retreat which includes a shared room (2 chicas per room) for the week. $100 discount for signing up with a friend! Private rooms available for $2200/person. Package also include:
- Seven nights shared accommodations at our private Cloud Farm retreat
- Transportation to and from Managua International Airport at our scheduled shuttle time
- Three delicious healthy meals prepared daily with organic ingredients fresh from the Farm
- Six days of expert surfing instruction (Beginner/Intermediate & 40+), or surf guiding to the best breaks (Experienced)
- Daily use of surfboard, rash guard and equipment
- Daily transportation to surf spots by 4×4 plus 1 boat trip for Beginner/Intermediate & 40+ and 2 boats trips for Experienced (weather permitting)
- Three Yoga for Surfers classes
- One one-hour massage
The Surf House ($990/person) – The Surf House is our in-town camp which includes a shared room (2-3 chicas per room) for the week. $100 discount for signing up with a friend! Private rooms available for $1590/person. Package also include:
- Seven nights shared accommodations with A/C at the Surf House
- Transportation to and from Managua International Airport at our scheduled shuttle time
- Breakfast prepared and served daily at the Surf House
- Six days of expert surfing instruction (Beginner/Intermediate & 40+), or surf guiding to the best breaks (Experienced)
- Daily use of surfboard, rash guard and equipment
- Daily transportation to surf spots by 4×4 (plus 1 boat trip included for Experienced package)
- Two Yoga for Surfers classes
- One one-hour massage
*Group rates available for groups of 6 or more.
**All of our packages are booked Saturday to Saturday, airfare NOT included. Please see booking and cancellation policies and waiver form. All guests at CHICABRAVA™ are required to sign this waiver in advance of arrival.
Experienced
Designed for groups of experienced female surfers, this package provides access to all of the major breaks by 4×4 or boat daily. We research current weather patterns, swell direction, size, and winds to help us map out a plan of attack tailored to each group’s skill level. Our tour includes a variety of breaks, ranging from semi-heavy, super-barreling beach breaks to perfectly peeling waves coming in over a perfectly formed reef. Looking to score un-crowded world-class waves all day long with only the chicas? This is the package for you. No surf instruction is included in this package.
Beginner & Intermediate
Our team at CHICABRAVA™ loves surfing and teaching and we want to help introduce you to this life changing sport. We’ll teach you all the basic about water safety, proper paddling technique, wave formation, catching waves, proper stance for riding waves, and having fun surfing!
If you are already past most of the basics, but are still looking for instruction, we have an equally amazing program for Intermediates, which is hard to find! We will work with you on getting to the next steps: particularly wave selection, timing, and “angling” or “down the line” surfing (riding at an angle down the face of the wave). This is the sensation that gets surfers hooked! Our comprehensive program includes a combination of daily in-water training and extensive surf theory lessons designed to help you progress no matter what your level.
Age 40+
For both beginners and experienced surfers, we have put together the ultimate package for women in their 40s+. This package is a wonderful alternative for the more mature woman surfer who might prefer to enjoy the experience with a group of her peers. This package pays particularly close attention to the differing needs and desires the 40+ group might have. Set exclusively in our secluded private villa within the 500 acre private reserve at the Cloud Farm, the key focus here is comfort, pampering, and attention. We can accommodate exclusive bookings of up to 8 if you’ve got a group of your own friends and/or family too!
Custom Surf Packages
We specialize in the following custom packages for all occasions, experience levels, and ages:
- Bachelorette parties
- Mother-daughter weeks
- Co-ed group camps
- Couples escapes
- Family camps
We are sure to provide you with your best vacation regardless of the occasion. Contact us for more details to help you design the perfect trip for you and your friends, family, and loved ones!
***Additional dates are available! We are open all year except October for the rainy season and most of January and February for the cold water… brrrrrrrrrrr!
“Thanks CHICABRAVA” – Nancy, Texas
September 11th, 2010
“New friends, new sport, new muscles, NEW ME. Thanks CHICABRAVA!” – Nancy Jordan, Houston, Texas.
“…officially hooked on surfing!” – Mae, NY
September 11th, 2010
“Hola CHICABRAVA! Thanks for a fabulous vacation! Everything was amazing – the Farm, the food, the sun, sand, surf, the town, and most of all, the girlfriends I’ve made along the way! I am officially hooked on surfing and can’t wait to come back!” – Mae Resurrecion, NY, NY.
“Gracias por todo!” – Kalani, California.
September 11th, 2010
“Fue una experiencia increíible. Your teaching style was perfect. You made me feel safe, comfortable, and capable in the water!” – Kalani Killacky, Santa Monica, CA
“CHICABRAVA Rocks!!!” – Karn Knutson, San Fransisco
September 3rd, 2010
“ChicaBrava is an amazing experience. The surf instruction is patient, fun, and top class. The accommodations are breathtaking, the food is delicious, and the activities available beyond surfing are great fun. The adventure of learning to surf at ChicaBrava will give you memories – and pride – that last long after your surfer-girl bruises have faded. Great time, great people, phenomenal surf.” – Karn Knuston, San Francisco, California.
“Great camp and our guides were very fun and informative!” – Susan Uroda, California
September 3rd, 2010
“My visit to Chica Brava Surf Camp in May 2009 was GREAT! Our group of 7 were mixed of girls and guys and all long time friends. We stayed on the farm which served us fresh organic meals daily, had our own pool, security, nice rooms with a fabulous view, and plenty of land to roam around on. Ever day we headed out to different surf spots which were well organized and arranged the night ahead. All of us were experienced surfers and travellers, so we got to really explore around. Ashley was awesome and has great local knowledge! Some nights we would go out on the town to shop or go to bars. The staff made sure we had everything we needed. This trip was easy and hassle free. Very relaxing with lots of surf time. I would easily recommend this for anyone going solo or as a group and would love to return one day.” – Susan Uroda, Carlsbad, California.
“Amazing!” – Megan Blake, Washington, D.C.
September 3rd, 2010
“I try to go on one trip a year by myself, and in 2009, I decided to go to ChicaBrava. The first moment from when I stepped off the plane and was picked up by the driver, I felt safe, comfotable and relaxed throughout the rest of trip. I stayed up on the farm and was paired with a girl that I ended up becoming great friends with. The food up at the farm was amazing!!!! And the accomodations were always clean and provided vistas that you only see in the movies. The yoga and massage was also fantastic and a great addition to my surfing experiences. Our instructors that week were Missy and Maite. Both of them were incredibly professional, talented and capable of teaching surfing skills to women of all levels. I had a great time and have recommended the camp to several women (friends and co-workers). While I didn’t come home a professional surfer, my experience was so great that I still have dreams about surfing at least once a week and can hear [the instructors] telling me what to do better! Haaa!” – Megan Blake, Washington, D.C.
“Best Way to Surf!” – Erin Parker, Houston
September 3rd, 2010
“As an adventure traveler, I loved the fact that I could escape to unruly Nicaragua to try something I’ve never done before – surf!!!!! I wasn’t used to all the pampering – the treatment was first class, as the accommodations and the view. But nothing beats the girls. Our instructors, Missy and Maite (and Jessica!), can’t be topped. They taught me so much more about surfing than I had anticipated, and they were so lovely and patient and encouraging on top of it. The food was incredible – straight from the farm and full of flavor and organically delicious. The group that I was there with was small and perfect, and Ashley (owner) and the other girls were willing to do whatever it took to make us happy – from rearranging our yoga classes to trips out on the town at night. Learning to surf is a frustrating endeavor, but the expertise and skill of the girls running the camp turn it into an enjoyable ride – and before I knew it I was on the board riding the waves in.
Cheers mates! Thanks for an incredible trip. xxx” – Erin Parker, Houston, Texas
“CHICABRAVA was all I imagined and then some!” – Attilie Smith, Texas
September 3rd, 2010
“I went to Chicabrava with my really good friend and we had a such a great time. We both love traveling and we went around to the surrounding cities before and after the surf week. That really added to the trip. Granada is beautiful. It is a great surf trip but it is also just a great experience.
We were put with 4 other women from all over the country and everyone got along really well. Everyone was interesting and adventurous (I guess you have to be to do this). All the women were at different surfing levels and the instructors were able to accommodate and challenge everyone.
The cloud farm, where you sleep and eat, is out of this world, the house that you stay at is beautiful. The staff at the house is really nice and helpful. I know that the vegetarians did have a sort of monotonous meals, Nicaraguans don’t know many recipes without meat. But I think that if you tell Chicabrava ahead of time they will probably be able to figure something out.
[T]he instructors that taught us [...] in addition to being amazing surfers they are spirited and encouraging teachers. Surfing is not easy!
Oh my I could just go on and on about what a great time I had. The nightlife was so fun. Ashley, the owner, is down to earth and really found a niche in the market. I wasn’t able to find another camp that was only available to girls. That was great for me.
I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for an experience, interested in seeing the Nicaraguan culture, and is willing to let it go and ride the waves.” – Attilie Smith, Houston, Texas
“Definitely worth a repeat visit! I love it there!” – Karen Barbier, Texas
September 3rd, 2010
“I had the thrill of enjoying the Chica Brava surf camp a second time. My second trip was similar to the first since I went during March and participated in the “Over 40″ camp. It was just as incredible as my first trip in March 2009. We stayed up in the Cloud Farm location (a slightly different house than the one we stayed in last year), and it was just as nice as last year. The house and property overlooked San Juan del Sur, a delightful little town. We were greeted by Candace who, with Anne, would be one of our instructors for the week. Ashley also welcomed us and was the perfect hostess. Throughout the week, Ashley would check to make sure all was going well. If we had an issue (my roommate and I had a small issue with our toilet), Ashley made sure that the issue was addressed. (Incidentally, the toilet was fixed by the end of the day!)
The surf instruction was fantastic by Anne and Candace, who are both accomplished surfers. We surfed every day, and also participated in yoga sessions and received massages. The food was great, and the company was fantastic. (Who could say anything negative about a group of gals over the age of 40 who want to learn to surf?)
Since my camp last year, I’m hooked on the sport. I now own three of my own boards, and I have Ashley to thank for introducing me to surfing. She and our instructors encouraged and coached us. I have a long way to go before I become a great surfer, but I’m sure having fun learning, and I owe much of that to Chica Brava!” – Karen Barbier, League City, Texas.
