For the past week I have been having a blast learning to surf at Rise Up Surf in Punta Apossentillo on the north Pacific coast of Nicaragua. I arrived last Saturday morning in Managua (the capital of Nicaragua and the only airport). After a mix up in the time of my arrival (I arrived at 9.30 am and they thought it was 9.30 pm) I was eventually picked up at the airport for the three hours out to the surf camp. Though I missed all the days activities I arrived just in time to admire the sunset over the ocean from the cliff top location while sipping a welcome drink. Definitely not a bad way to start!
The beach where the beginners did their surfing is a walk from the hotel. It is the next bay along from the one in the picture above so about 10 minute stroll through the sand.
After a quick land lesson on safety and anatomy of the board we headed into the waves for our first attempts. Like all things we sometimes had success and at others not so much. We were lucky that they had a photographer on hand to capture all our moments of glory.
Walking to the surfing beach
The boards lined up and waiting to go.
Land lesson on safety and anatomy
Heading out to give it a try
It was incredible how many people really got the hang of it. I’ll admit I never really got the hang of it easily but it was so much fun so that didn’t matter at all. Of course there were more advanced riders who really showed us how it was done and we always had great instructors and guides with us who patiently got us back up again.
When you first start learning you start on a very long board. Mine was 102 inches long. As you get better and more control you graduate down to shorter more maneuverable boards.
My 102 inch board!
Steve waxing my board up well. One excuse gone for why I fell off so much!
Most days we did two surfing sessions one in the morning at sun rise and another in the late afternoon. I loved the morning sessions as the water was smother and the waves more regular. By the afternoon it all got a bit choppy and the waves got bigger. I like to sit back and watch the sunset.
Watching the sunset
Besides surfing we also did yoga every day to help work out the soar, tense muscles. It was so lovely stretching out in the open air studio listening to the sound of the wind in the trees and the waves crashing on the beach. Also on most days there were additional activities like fishing trips and a boat trip in the mangroves. We also went horse back riding along the beach and stopped in a local village to learn to make tortillas. Mine actually tasted okay!
The camp itself was lovely. Really a big luxurious house with a huge open area with a pool and lounge area. Since it is the dry season now, we spent all our waking hours outside.
Lounge area – eating tables on the left, couches and bar in front and the pool behind on the far right. And lots of hammocks!
Yoga studio
Pool and lounge area from the other side
I got a four-poster bed to myself! 
No more dorms!
Of course the camp had some canine and feline residents that added some cute fun to the atmosphere. The dogs loved to walk along the beach with us. Usually when I called it quits in surfing before everyone I’d go for a long walk with one or both along the beach. The sand beach stretches for kilometres and kilometres. It is amazing that it is completely undeveloped it is so beautiful.
Allan and Max playing in the water
Bruce and his mischief
It was so much fun learning to surf mostly because I was with a fantastic group of people and the staff at Rise Up were so supportive and so much fun. I’m already missing my morning surf as I’m posting this!
Steve and his harem!
Yesterday I came south again with a driver (4.5 hours!!) to Granada on the shore of Lake Nicaragua. This is the meeting point for the short tour I’m taking around Nicaragua. We will be here for a couple of days before moving on.
A great read Louisa, your enjoyment can be palpated through your words! xx