SwellWomen is bliss. SwellWomen is love. Above all, SwellWomen is community. Meet Nina Reid, who has been on more SwellWomen retreats than we can count! It is thriving women like Nina who make SwellWomen what it is today, and we know she will inspire you as much as she has inspired us.
What inspired you to want to learn how to surf?
In my late 20’s, I was a “casual” surfer playing around in the small to medium waves while my husband, Stuart, was out chasing the big stuff. I surfed in Nantucket, Florida, Kauai, and Costa Rica. It was in Costa Rica that fear began to sneak in. On different occasions I got caught in the impact zone, tossed deeper down in the ocean than I had ever been, and dragged to shore by my leash. That was the end of my surfing career. Fear got the better of me. If only I had a SwellWomen surf coach by my side! Fast forward 20 plus years… meet Lulu, get inspired, say yes!
What’s your favorite surf spot?
I loved surfing in Rote. The water was warm and clear and free from crowds. The beginner beach break was small enough to begin again without feeling intimidated or fearful. Sri Lanka is where I realized I was actually having fun while I was surfing. The waves were perfect for me. I was getting long rides, had a huge smile on my face, and truly feeling the bliss. The Mentawais is next on my list. It looks like a dream.
What’s one piece of advice you can offer to a novice surfer?
My advice to a novice surfer is simply, “just have fun.” Don’t take it too seriously and get all intense about it. Find the joy.
What’s your favorite travel and/or retreat memory?
My favorite retreat memory is basically every second of the retreat. I’m not kidding.
What keeps you inspired and gives you bliss?
What keeps me inspired and gives me bliss is traveling to different countries all over the world, trying new things and meeting extraordinary people.
What’s your favorite quote?
My favorite surfing quote is “There are a million ways to surf, and as long as you’re smiling, you’re doing it right.”
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