The outdoor industry, and all of the wild and thrilling careers within it, is an exciting arena to be a part of. As a seasoned travel and adventure writer, who has journeyed all over the planet to experience and write about exciting locales, I’ve been lucky enough to connect with folks who love to play in the outdoors: wilderness experts, naturalists from diverse destinations, and even surfing guides.
Learning to surf, especially if you live in an area without access to waves, can feel particularly daunting. You might be worried about getting hurt or have concerns regarding your stamina in the water. Can you even paddle out past the break without getting gassed? Will the women you meet be supportive? Are there sharks or dangerous creatures in the water?
Always up for a challenge, even one that makes me feel a bit sick with nervous excitement, I decided to join a women’s surfing retreat in El Salvador, a country that was also new to me. I traveled by myself and decided to approach the experience with an open and curious mind. Was it intimidating? Sure. Did I have one of the best adventures, alongside a group of new friends, where we not only surfed every day, but also, practiced yoga, indulged in massages, and connected over delicious El Salvadorian meals? Absolutely.
Inspiring women to try something new, push themselves in the outdoors, and gain new connections with others, Lulu Agan, owner and chief officer of bliss of SwellWomen, has much to say about opting outside.
Wendy Altschuler: By teaching women how to surf, SwellWomen fosters community in destinations across the globe. What are some of your favorite locations that you've brought women to for surfing and wellness retreats?
Lulu Again: I’m at most home amongst the waves and beaches in the tropics, where I continuously nurture an uncanny ability to track down the lushest surf breaks, so this is a hard question. But if I have to narrow it down to a few, I’d say that Indonesia’s Mentawai Islands Regency islands and Rote Island, Maui’s west side, Costa Rica’s Matapalo, and my recent discovery of France’s Basque Coast are amongst my favorites.
WA: What is it like seeing someone new to the sport develop their confidence and ability in such a short time?
LA: Over the years, I've had the privilege of guiding countless women of all ages, sizes, shapes, and athletic abilities on transformative journeys using the modalities of surfing and yoga. Regardless of their starting point, most arrived with their unique set of challenges and aspirations.
One common theme I've observed among the majority of the participants is the initial presence of fear and self-doubt. Many of these women stepped into the world of surfing with apprehension, unsure if they could
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“Marseille has a strong personality,” says tour guide Alexandra Blanc Véa as we take in the art of the graffiti-splashed Cours Julien district. A Paris native who’s been a resident of Marseille for over 20 years, she leads me down streets hastily sprayed with calls for strike action, to reach the grand, climate-conscious mural Man vs Wild. This piece by local artist Mahn Kloix covers the side of a house and shows a man in yellow trunks and flippers swimming to meet an enormous turtle.
Squeezed in between France, Belgium and Germany, tiny Luxembourg (pop. 655,000) is something of an oddity, yet is arguably also the most European of the continent’s many nations.
Has there ever been a fictional character with a more glamorized lifestyle than Carrie Bradshaw? She’s worn designer bags as well as shoes that have sold out immediately afterwards, made Magnolia Bakery world-famous, and, this past summer, even had a pop-up “experience” dedicated to her in an empty space in SoHo. One doesn’t need to “couldn’t-help-but-wonder” why: Carrie made being single and living in New York seem like an endless, well-dressed adventure, where carriage rides in Central Park with romantic millionaires, fabulous parties in Tribeca, and trips to the Vogue closet were always in reach. So when visiting New York City, it’s always fun to see the sites that made up her fantasy.
If you stand still long enough, Costa Rica’s flora and fauna has a way of making you feel like it’s closing in, threatening to drag you into the dense vegetation’s fold. It’s difficult to not linger when you see a busy chain of leafcutter ants crossing the trail or when you marvel at an ecosystem bursting with trees and vascular plants like angel’s trumpets, lipsticktrees, or—my favorite—wild sensitive plants, with leaves that curl and close when touched.
Smaller than Wales, Belgium’s southern, mainly French-speaking region may be compact but packs a diverse punch. Wallonia is a jewel of a destination that sparkles with centuries of history, architectural splendour, glorious nature, fascinating culture, wonderful gastronomy and beautiful cities, towns and villages.
The drama and beauty of Luxembourg’s capital often comes as a surprise to the first-time visitor. The Grand Duchy – the world’s only sovereign nation whose head of state is a Grand Duke – emerged in 963 AD when Count Siegfried built a castle on top of the Bock cliffs. Today the Bock and Old Quarter – a UNESCO World Heritage site – perch on a sandstone plateau high above the Alzette and Pétrusse rivers, and wandering its upper and lower cities is like strolling through history.
Say “Italian Riviera” and most people’s eyes light up. East of Genoa, the rainbow-coloured villages of Cinque Terre and bobbing superyachts of tiny Portofino are etched in travellers’ imaginations. But this is only half the story – the Riviera di Levante half. West of the Ligurian capital, skirting the coast for 150km to the French border, the Riviera di Ponente takes over, revealing beaches and wild mountain scenery every bit the equal of its sibling. And for those in the know, its mix of culture, outdoors and fine cuisine makes it irresistible.
There are thousands of surf schools in the world that can get you up and riding for the first time. They teach the basics, and then for the most part, set you off on your own. For aspiring pros there are high-level surf coaches, but what about the rest of us?
Often described as the most romantic river in the world, the Seine in Paris is poised to open a new chapter in its mythology with the revival of an old heritage: the return of public swimming.
Fishing trips to Canada are a tradition for Jeffrey Hardy and his three friends from Vermont. They have, since 2001, been anglers loyal to Quebec’s northern wilderness, where the walleye are plentiful and the cellphone service is not.
Fundamental to wild camping – or freedom camping – is self-reliance. Pitching a tent or throwing down a bivvy bag anywhere you like is a romantic concept, but intrepid travellers beware: sleeping under the stars comes with different rules and legal restrictions wherever you are. It also comes with responsibility for the environment and for your own safety.