Surf For Life

I just returned from an amazing trip with Surf For Life (SFL). We traveled to El Manzano Uno Nicaragua, a beautiful little town on the Northern coast. The ladies who run the organization have years of experience leading trips and have developed strong partnerships with organizations throughout the world. They collaborate with the local organizations to identify needed brick and mortar projects that SFL volunteers participate in. I wasn't sure what to expect and wasn't sure I wanted to dig ditches and poor concrete on my vacation but it turned out to be the highlight of my trip. I would describe the experience as a cultural immersion where you get to work side by side with the local people on a project that they have identified will benefit their community. The connections we made fed my soul and I feel like I now have an extended family in Nicaragua. We woke up early, surfed, did yoga, ate amazing meals, helped build a casita to protect the local water source, hung out in hammocks, played with local kids, watched sunsets and made friends for life. Seriously. This was one of my favorite trips I've ever taken. 100% highly recommend!

Surf For Life is a great organization to complete a volunteer trip with. The week-long trip was well planned and executed, but there was enough free time to relax as well. If you want to explore another country but aren't fluent in the language or are nervous about the customs, SFL is a great way to experience the culture while having a support system for any need you might have while there.

There's something magical about taking yourself away from the grind, disconnecting and doing meaningful work with extraordinary people and this trip delivers on this reality.

The trip offers everything:
-the opportunity to make a difference to folks who need and value our help
-time to connect with yourself by unplugging with your friends, with the volunteer staff, and on a surf board
-culture, culture, culture
-Fantastic people - the local community is so welcoming and friendly

Can't say enough good things about my trip with Surf For Life to Guatemala in November 2014!

Here's a brief list of the highlights for me:

- Awesome accommodations in beach-side huts with surfing just steps away
- A meaningful project focused on bringing education to a developing village, with a tangible result for the village's residents
- Hard labor under the sun! Orrrrr the shade if you didn't want to get a good sweat on!!
- Engagement with the youth we were targeting with our project through daily events like painting, soccer and spanish lessons
- Being around such amazing and grateful people, from the Surf For Life staff, to the volunteers I was working with the to village residents

Add on to all this the fact that I got to experience a country that I might not have otherwise got to experience the way that I did and it all equals an experience I won't ever forget.

Thanks for the amazing laughs and memories and I can't wwit for the next adventure I will go on with Surf For Life!!

Volunteering with Surf for Life in El Paredon, Guatemala was an all around amazing experience. The La Choza Chula crew made us feel right at home and gave us the opportunity to interact closely with the community. Helping to build the school was like nothing I had ever done before. Being able to interact with the children of the community was extremely rewarding. Our hosts integrated fun activities to interact with the kids and with the community. It was the perfect mix of volunteering and cultural immersion. This trip left me with a positive impression of Surf for Life and I would 100% be interested in doing another volunteer trip. I feel so lucky to have chosen this program and would recommend it to anyone!