For the fifth time our surfteam set off to enjoy a surfholiday week on the Northwest Coast of Ireland. And just in time for our anniversary, Ireland showed off with amazing weather and well, the waves weren’t too bad either 😉
The surf trip started in Dublin
Surf coach Angie and camp chef Ray arrived at Dublin a couple of days before the group. Enough time to sort out the rental car, and discover Ireland´s biggest ice cream cones. Even though rental car prices were through the roof, cool surfer dude Sean at the rental car place sorted out an upgrade and some extra freebies. Legend!
Most of the team arrived in Dublin on Friday night. Meeting at the hotel bar of the airport, hotel first contacts were made. And the first laughs, too. According to Irish man Mick, a long-term guest at the airport hotel, an Irish man has to buy foreigners a drink when they meet. Imagine the interesting evening that followed.
On the way North, looking for waves
The team set off from Dublin airport really early on Saturday morning. It was a 3 1/2hrs drive up north. Here is where they would meet Karen, the last one missing in the team. Karen who would drive up to the D-place from her home on the west coast. Surfboards were tied to the roof racks, all bags stuffed into the back of the car and the team was on their way to the coast. A few hours, and a little supermarket stop, later the team finally arrived at their home base, James Palace. And of course, James was there to meet them. So good to see him again, after not having been able to do so last year. This is James Palace, a lovely Irish cottage with ocean view.
Gone surfing
Quickly the rooms were allocated, tea was made, surf equipment thrown into the car and off they were. Straight to the surf school to meet their local guide Good Old Lee. Another friendly face was waiting for them at the school, what a surprise. Duncan, the second owner of Narosa Life, normally spends the winter seasons snowboarding in Japan. This year the team was luckily enough to surf and hang out with him. What a treat.
For the first session the team headed to a nearby beach break. Mellow lines were rolling in, great conditions to get used to the waves, water temperature and also, to surfing with booties and gloves. Everyone caught heaps of waves, there were rainbows and even a seal. Not sure how this corner of the world manages to still surprise us and get more beautiful year by year.
The surf holiday week in Ireland unfolded
The first night they were spoiled with dinner at a funky pizza restaurant a few kilometres up the coast. Good Old Lee and Duncan joined the team, making it an even more fun and interesting evening. What a great start for the week.
The next few days were all about surfing. On Sunday they even managed to sneak in a double session. Conditions were simply too epic to not surf twice. On Monday, Good Old Lee had something special planned for the team and took them surfing to a different wave. Learning about how to surf a reef break was exciting for the group, and so was the surf session. That´s the team getting briefed by Lee in their new surf school / shop / best coffee shop within 100 km radius.
The rest of the week was spend with loads of waves, surf theory, video analysis and also, a very helpful surf skate session. Step by step everyone of the group advanced, got more confident and corrected little mistakes. Being an advanced level group, surf coach Angie had come up with a special plan beforehand, and it seemed to be working. Great waves were surfed, comfort zones expanded and loads of funny moments shared.
The routine
The team itself didn´t take long to groove in with each other. A steady routine was implemented. And be honest, who doesn’t want to listen to the piña coladas song before jumping into the waves?
If you like piña coladas, and gettin´caught in the rain,
If you´re not into yoga, if you have half a brain..
As a surprise the team was blessed with a mild climate this year but still enjoyed another routine: hot chocolate, tea or soup after the surf sessions. On top of that, camp chef Ray treated them with delicious cinnamon rolls or cake, what more can you ask for?
A week of surfing gone by fast
Way too soon the week was over. It generally passes fast but this time it simply ran past us. How do they say? Time flies when you are having fun.
Well, while we bath in our recent memories, we can´t wait for next November to hit our favourite D-place. The dates of #I❤️Ireland are already set and soon the trip will be open for bookings. If you can´t wait till the official details get published, get in touch with us and secure your surf space for our 2022 cold water surf trip.
Thanks to all our NOMB Surfers Karen, Johannes, Sven and Thomas for making this trip extra special and surfing epic waves.Thanks to camp chef Ray for her delicious food and great company. Thanks to the man of lee-sure Lee and Duncan for sharing their waves and treating us like family. Thanks to James for letting us stay at his palace. And thanks Ireland for having us, still can´t believe the waves we were blessed with this year!
Check out our Facebook face for pics and moments of #IrishIdols 2021.
Sea you in the water soon,
Angie & the NOMB Surfteam
Ps: couple of spaces left on our next surftrip #FuerteFuerza, an all female confidence boost workshop on sunny Fuerteventura. Check it out!
The Canary Island of Lanzarote showed us all her amor during our sneaky surfescape #LanzaroteLove. Daily sunshine is not unusual on the Canary Islands but several glassy days, with next to no wind, that is showing off with all it´s assets.
Four days of glassy conditions
The NOMB Surfteam was greeted with beautiful small waves rolling on the islands shore. Perfect conditions for coaching a team with different surf levels.
The conditions allowed surf newbie Caro to also paddle out to the lineup, and start her surfing career with learning the right board handling (sitting up, turning the board, emergency break etc) and catching first little green waves.
More experienced surfers Tina and Markus used the smaller conditions to correct tiny errors in their timing and take-off techniques, and focussing on watching the wave while taking off.
NOMB surfer Kristin and Miri really did some meters paddling and tried to catch as many green waves as possible. What a great start to the week. Look at this little partywave our team shared.
Lifesaving skills for surfers
While daily surfcoaching sessions obviously were what the team came for, there were still a lot of other things on the trip agenda. Surfcoach Angie had organized a very helpful surprise for the NOMB Surfers: a lifesaving for surfers session with lifeguard master Paul from Lavaflow Surfschool.
During a morning session in the calm waters on the east coast, Paul taught the team how to rescue someone in the ocean, without and also with a surfboard. The team also learned how to place someone into the shock and recovery positions once back on shore.
As a last part they were shown how to escape if being attacked, from the front or back. A very useful skill to know, in and outside the water. If someone is panicking and thinks he´s drowning, he will hold onto anything he can get hold off. If that´s you, things can get dangerous for both of you. Always make sure there´s something, for example a surfboard, placed in between you and the drowning casualty.
Here are Kristina and Caro practicing the one-arm-drag, used to save someone without a surfboard.
More wind, more swell, more surfcoaching
After four amazing days surfing clean and glassy waves, the wind finally showed up. But wind also means waves and now the team was ready to face bigger conditions.
Tina and Markus paddled out to the line-up with surfcoach Melly and took some pretty bombs. The rest of the surfteam stayed closer to shore. Even though the wave was already broken, the whitewash produced a pretty long ride to the beach. However, with the rising tide, the whitewash started reforming and producing nice little green waves. This great beachbreak on Lanzarote offers waves for everyone.
Going hiking and other stuff to do
When the team wasn´t surfing, they chilled in their superb home base. A typical Canarian finca, located in a little valley in the north of the island. While on a surf holiday trip, everyone also has time to wind down and relax. But some of the team were eager to explore and set off for a hike.
Just outside the homebase there is an awesome track going up the famous Risco of Famara, but from the backside. Right on top there is a little chapel and a breathtaking view all over the north of Lanzarote. Definitely worth the hike.
On the way back the team stumbled across a lot of rubbish thrown into a field. Luckily Angie carried some trash bags with her, so the team started collecting all the rubbish and left the bags at the side of the road. When a local farmer passed, they asked him to please take the collected rubbing to the next rubbish bins. Once they returned two days later to check on the trash, luckily it had been picked up already. As surfers we are being conscious about our environment, and always try to leave nature in a better condition than we found it.
Here is the hiking team up on the Risco de Famara. What a view, right?
Our surfholiday trips are made for active people, as you can see. However, we still find time to chill, sunbath and read a book. And our homebase had so many hidden corners, everyone could find their peace. Did you know that we had our own wine cellar?
Surf theory sessions, tailmormade to the group, were also a part of #LanzaroteLove. The team learned a lot about the ocean, hurrican Larry, the different forecast models and much more. Video analysis helped to recognize small errors and correct them.
Daily stretching sessions, lead by a different team member every day, made sure that the team was fit for the next days surfing session. Surfskate session on the local football court opposite our house got everyone’s stance up to date.
And just like that, seven days were already over. There were too many funny memories, too many great waves surfed, to mention here. Check out the #tripnotes photos on our Facebook page to find out more about #LanzaroteLove.
Thanks to Caro, Kristin, Markus and Tina who joined us on this marvellous trip.
A special thanks to our campchef Miri for once again spoiling us with delicious powerfoods.
A big gracias to local guide Melly, a female surfing legend on Lanzarote.
Thank you to Paul for making us feel safer in the ocean.
And a big thank you cuddle to teamdog Rainbow for simply being herself and hanging out with the gang. What an epic week!
Next stop: #IRISH IDOLS
While #LanzaroteLove was our warm water trip for this year, we are suuuper excited about our upcoming cold water trip. #IrishIdols marks our 5th year anniversary trip to Northwest Ireland.
Cold waters, challenging outdoor conditions but epic wave and empty line-ups. Nothing for the faint hearted this years trip is aiming at experienced intermediate surfers, to really take advantage of of the Irish waves. Is this trip for you? Then get in touch and secure one of the two last surfspaces available.
As you maybe know by now, we don´t only coach private surfcoachings on our homebase island Fuerteventura but we also organize epic surftrips around the globe. Together with a small group of max six surfers, (and a fantastic campchef), head surfcoach Angie sets off to discover new surfspots and find empty line-ups.
Teaming up with a local surfschool, she is always looking for uncrowded surf destinations where our participants can get the maximum of their time in the ocean.
Here is how NOMB Surftrips work, why we think they are epic and how you can find out which trip is perfect for you.
Great surfteam of likeminded surfers
On thing you can expect on every NOMB Surftrip is an amazing group of like-minded surfers. Coming from all sorts of different walks of life, our surftrips tend to only attract interesting, motivated and fun surfers.
Within our small group you can share your highs (and lows), find motivation, make new memories and friends and a little bit of Schabernack, too. Acceptance and an open mind come natural to our incredible NOMB Surfers. Our local surf guids are local legends, sharing their waves and stoke with us. Overall, an epic surfteam! Like the ladies below on our adventure surftrip #Ghanarama in 2019.
Different surftrip categories
Everyone likes to spend their holidays in different ways. Sure, everyone wants to surf but some like it more relaxed, others totally hardcore and others are up for a challenge. That´s why our trips come in different categories for you to choose from.
The classic trip is our SURF HOLIDAY. Generally lasting 7 days, this trip category is the perfect mix of surfcoaching and relaxing. Great for surfers who want to improve their surfing skills but also find some time to wind down. Daily surfcoachings and theory sessions included.
For those who really want to boost their surfing, (and don´t mind muscle pain), we offer our INTENSIVE SURFCAMPS. They generally run for 14 days and it´s all about surfing. Daily surfcoaching and guided freesurf sessions, loads of drills and surf related activities easily take our participants surfing to another level.
And then there are our ADVENTURE SURFTRIPS. These 14 days trip take you to unusual destinations and make you step out of your comfort zone. Daily surfcoaching but also a lot of exploring are on our agenda. But then, you never know what will happen.
Even more trip categories
Above, these are our main surftrip categories. However, from time to time, we also run special trips. In the past we have run a surf & fitness camp, combining neuroathletic training with surfing. An all ladies boostcamp is about to happen in 2022, #FuerteFuerza. Especially designed for surfchicas who want to address their fears, blockages and surf in an all girls environment.
Sign up for our newsletter below to always be the first one to find out about new trips.
An all-inclusive surftrip: all you need to do is surf
And that´s one of the main features of our surftrips. All YOU need to do is to get to the meeting point and surf. Everything else is organized for you. Sounds amazing, right? Here is what to expect on every NOMB Surfcoaching trip:
Daily surfcoachings
Head surfcoach Angie
Local surfguide/coach
Cool accommodation close to the ocean
Healthy power foods (breakfast & dinner)
Surf theory session
Photo / Video Analysis
Safety intro to surfspots
Transport to/from meeting point
Transport to/from surfspots
All surf equipment
All your surfing pics/videos on a USB Stick
NOMB Surf goodies bag
Loads of waves and epic moments
Finding your connection with the ocean
With many years of coaching experience, surfcoach Angie is not only qualified and experienced but also specialized in dealing with challenges and fears in the water. During our trips we can´t stress enough about how you, as a surfer, need to find a connection to the ocean. But that´s easier said than done.
Angie will guide you through the process of understanding the ocean, devoting to it and finding your confidence. Without you noticing you will be a confident surfer, able to read the ocean and react to it.
Our next surftrip: #LanzaroteLove
Unfortunately, this year we weren´t able to run our annual winter surf holiday on the Canary Islands. But with all challenges come opportunities. And we will now take advantage of the warm Atlantic waters and milder waves that we are blessed with at the beginning of the Autumn wave season.
#LanzaroteLove will be run as a surfholiday from the 11 – 18 September 2021. That means, daily surfcoachings and enough time to relax and discover the volcanic island. And guess what? There is one surfspot left for one lucky surfer.
Let´s see what frequent NOMB Surfer Tina, who will join us on #LanzaroteLove, has to say about our next surftrip. Thanks for the great video, Tina!
Now you know how NOMB Surftrips work, and what makes them so special. We hope you like what we do and want to join us on one of our upcoming trips. Maybe you are even super spontaneous and want to join NOMB Surfer Tina, surfcoach Angie and the NOMB Surfteam on the trip to Lanzarote?
To find out more, get in touch asap and secure the last available surfspot!
Galicia – famous for it´s great seafood and loads of rain. That´s what most people say when they are asked about the most westerly Spanish region. What most people don´t know is that Galicia and it´s people are simply amazing, that there is an unlimited amount of incredible waves, and that it doesn´t really rain that much (at least in spring).
So every May we hop over to the Spanish mainland. Based in a small pueblo (village) on the not so well known westcoast, we surf and explore Galicia. This has been our 4th time over there, and still we managed to surf a couple of surfspots we hadn´t surfed before. What a treat!!
Our surfguides, the trips and travelling in COVID-19 times
As usual, our local surfguides, Ramon and Josh from the OceanSquadSurfAcademy, treated us like we were family. Not even did Ramon find the best surfspots for us on a daily basis, he also looked after us. Sorting out all sorts of little problems and wishes we might have. What a legend!! This is Ramon, doing what he loves to do most!
This year we ran two different surfcamps. Both were intensive surfcamps, including daily surfcoaching and also freesurf sessions. Loads of watertime, epic, right? Plus the usual surf theory, video analysis, carver session, breathing workshop and so much more..
As travelling within Europe was still a bit bumby last month, the camps were a bit more individual than normal. Generally we travel with a max of six surfers, this year we travelled with only three. Plus headcoach Angie, security dog Rainbow and a super chef of course. Respect (and a big thanks) to all the NOMB Surfers who made it to Galicia, during times where travel warnings, quarantines and local restrictions were in place, and changed on a daily basis.
In order to travel safely with COVID-19 floating around we implemented a safety & emergency protocol. All participants, plus the coaches, arrived with a negative test. Daily body temperature checks, frequent self testing and reducing other contacts to outdoor spaces made it possible to run both camps without any problems.
Intensive surfcamp #1: GALICIANDO
Camp number one were two weeks of surfing fun. Don´t believe it? Than see for yourself!
NOMB Surfers Annette, Milena and Tobi made it all the way down to Galicia, so did super chef Miri. Surfcoach Angie and Rainbow had already arrived a few days earlier, preparing the house and setting up the necessary sanitary precaucions. Ready to surf!
Mother nature treated us with a bit of the obligatory rain at the beginning. But rain generally means wind, and wind generally means waves. And as long as there were waves, everyone was happy.
Other than in previous years, we surfed a lot at the beaches right outside our house. They need a bit of swell to work and luckily we were blessed with some nice groundswells hitting the coast. But it wouldn´t be a proper surftrip without exploring and cruising around. So we head north and surfed some deserted beaches one Ria further up.
The westcoast of Galicia is frayed by the Rias Baixas, four estuarine inlets. They are beautiful, both with low and hightight, however they make travelling around the region a bit more tricky. But yeah, it´s so worth it. How about a lonely surf? Here we go!
Surfing and training using a recovery plan
During the two weeks the surfcrew did not only surf. The also learned a lot. About the ocean, waves, breathing and breathhold techniques, and most important, about themselves. For the first time we introduced a recovery plan, which had to be filled in twice a day. The idea behind the recovery plan is to monitor the individual performances and relate them to external factors such as sleep quality, outside stress, water intake and training intensity etc.
Even though the team had to get used to constantly monitoring themselves, the outcome of the recovery plan was kind of mind blowing. Some found out, that stress in their personal life highly influences the surfing performance. Other experienced that a poor sleep and too little water intake resulted in a performance crash.
Being aware of all the different factors leading to our surfing performance can immensely improve our surfing. Being aware is the first step to change something, and knowing what exactly to change is worth a lot.
Here is what NOMB Surfer Annette thinks about the recovery plan:
The recovery plan made me aware of a lot of things . My water intake for example. All throughout the day I kept reminding myself of drinking more water, so I´d be able to write down a high enough number at night. This way avoiding to worry about dehydration headaches.
I used the recovery plan for a duration of four weeks, and found it very interesting to observe myself and my performance. Seeing my personal stress level decline and my fitness level increase, that was amazing. I was able to understand my improved surfing performance and enjoy it.
Intensive surfcamp #2: GALICIADDICT
After two weeks, unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to Tobi and Milena, as they were heading home. Surfergirl Annette, maybe motivated by her outstanding surfing success, had already decided to stay for the second camp.
Former camp chef Miri, who treated us to delicious (and mostly plant based) meals during #Galiciando, simply couldn´t leave us and converted into a surfteam member.
She was replaced in the kitchen by baking queen Ray, who pampered us with all sorts of tasty food during the next week.
Completing the second surfteam was our favourite longboarder Casper, who drove all the way from the Netherlands in just two (!!) days. What a team!
Seven days of surfing and other cool surf related stuff
During the next week we surfed till our arms were hurting. Again, we were rewarded with waves right at our doorstep. The beach outside our house is more than 1km long and offers different peaks. From mellow and clean longboard waves to steep shorebreak waves, and also a crazy but fun backwash peak. No wonder our surf sessions got longer and longer.
We rounded up the week with interesting surf related theory sessions ( a spot analysis of Pipeline for example),drysurf, more carver action, surf fitness sessions and the obligatory video analysis. Last but not least a deep stretch recovery session via Zoom with fitness guru Kati from LesanoFV.
Curious about what our beach looks like, and what Schabernack the surfteam got up to? Than why not check the photo gallery on our Facebook page?
Goodbye Galicia, we love you
After a month surfing in Galicia it is finally time to say goodbye. To Ramon, Josh, to our homebase house, to the neighbours and even our favourite waiter in the ´Abierto todo el año´ restaurant in front of our most surfed wave this year. Another fun month goes down in history.
Unfortunately we also had to say goodbye to our incredible surfteam. That was the hardest part as they are like a family after all. Following a few words by surfcoach & trip organizer Angie:
Thank you all so much for surfing with me in Galicia during these tricky times. I am beyond grateful for the trust you had in me and my work.
The past year has been difficult for a small business like mine, a lot of things I organized and wasn´t able to do in the end.
Taking the risk to go ahead with these past two surftrips has been rewarded with seeing all of you guys smile and totally shred in the water. Thanks for being my motivation to follow my path, and never give up.
Sea you in the water soon!
Love Angie
PS: we will be back in Galicia in May next year. Introducing a new and improved surftrip format. Stay tuned to our news and sign up early enough, to not miss one of the only few spots available to join us for our 5th year anniversary trip!
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