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Our Crew | Guest
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Profiles | Media | About
Manifesta
Click on a crew members name to read their
bio, and don't forget to check out their
smiling faces flashing above.
Bev | Morag |
Stephanie | Coleen |
Katie | Jessica | Kristy | Lizzie | Sonja |
Ashley | Sofia | Julie
Jackie | Octavia | Nicole | Shauna | Dawn | Michael | Erin | Vanessa | Naomi | Rachel
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Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
In 1982 Bev co-founded one of the first
snowboard companies, ultimately spending
18 years in the snowboard industry. She was
recognized as the Pioneer Woman of Snowboarding
by Transworld Snowboarding Magazine and received
the Tranny Award, snowboarding's Oscar. At
the age of 44, her focus shifted when Bev
took a surfing lesson while on vacation in
Maui. Having made a lifelong commitment
of helping women reach their full potential
in snowboarding, Bev continued her mission
and launched Las Olas at a time when surfing
was a male-dominated sport.
Bev lives and works in downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea,
California with her husband Chris and her Pomeranian,
Annie. Bev chose Carmel because of it's
proximity to the beach and abundance of natural
beauty. Bev and crew continue to develop new
programs designed to meet the needs of women
who aspire to challenge and inspire themselves.
Besides surfing...
• Favorite Things: Organic food, cooking,
gardening, electric cars
• Activism: The Ocean, Trees, Conservation,
Women's Empowerment, Peace
• To Do List: Ride her bike from Carmel
to Boston |
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Morag began her surfing career in the cold
waters of Northern California. While earning
a bachelor’s degree in fine art from
the University of California, Santa Cruz,
she also studied surfing under the tutelage
of world-class long boarders. Morag has
now worked eight years as a California
State Lifeguard on the busy beaches of
Malibu, and occupies a senior position.
Morag is a fierce competitor in longboard
surfing competitions, and is also a contest-winning
paddle boarder. An expert surfer, bodysurfer,
fisher, spear fisher and windsurfer, her
passion for surf and travel has taken her
to Oregon, California, Baja, Mexico, El Salvador,
Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Indonesia, France
and Spain. Morag’s current aims include
surfing as much as possible, improving her
Spanish, and completing a ‘Baja cookbook’ for
traveling surfers. When she isn’t surfing
or teaching you’ll find her sewing,
repairing surfboards, gardening, cooking,
practicing yoga, running, mountain biking,
and living life to the fullest.
Favorite quotes:
“There is no end to the adventures
we can have if only we seek them with our
eyes open”.
Author unknown
“There is more wisdom in your body
than in your deepest philosophy”.
Friedrich Nietzsche |
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Vancouver, BC, Canada
Steph is an avid sports enthusiast who snowboards,
waterskis, surfs and loves all adventure sports.
She began surfing in 1996, and immersed herself
in the surf industry as Director the Inner
Rhythm Surf Camp in Tofino, and as sales rep
for Rip Curl. Lately, Steph’s creative
side keeps her in the entertainment busines;
she’s currently hosting a TV show about
surf and travel and her wild side comes out
when the dance music starts. Can you say "superstar "?
Steph lives for travel and adventure, going
from bikini surfing in Mexico, Costa Rica,
Indonesia, Nicaragua, Panama and Hawaii, then
back to a wetsuit and the icy waters in Canada.
She’s now trying to get her hockey player
fiancée ‘Hot’ Rod to join
her in the waves.
Besides surfing...
• Favorite things; Tasty wine, tasty waves
and her tasty boy, Rod
• To do list: travel to every country, have
kids, star in a blockbuster feature film, and “rock
the mic” on her TV show.... all at the
same time
• Secret wish: “I still want to
be ten.”
• Quote: "Life is a highway, I wanna
ride it all night long!"
Photo credit: Aaron Fisher |
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Cape May, New Jersey
Coleen learned to surf on the South Jersey
shore (which she claims with pride) in 1995
and has been teaching since 1997. As well as
being a Las Olas Head instructor, Coleen also
directs Ocean Outfitters Surf Camp in New Jersey
during the summer months. As a founding member
of the Atlantic Surfers' Organization, Coleen
is U.S.L.A. certified, and is dedicated to
spreading the aloha one wave at a time.
Her B.A. in English and Spanish comes in handy
during international travel and as an English
tutor to Mexican migrant workers by day. At
night, Coleen spins as a DJ and makes jammin'
mix CD's for Las Olas dance parties. Coleen
aspires to open her own surf school in Buzios,
Brazil as well as use her B.A. to write a novel.
Her advice for other water girls is “stay
true to yourself and follow your own path.”
Besides surfing:
• Favorite things: men with beards, obscure
70's music, tres leches cake, riding around
in her dad's ‘71 G.T.O.
• Global travel: Spain, France, Brazil, Hawaii,
The Canary Islands, and The British Virgin
Islands
• Quote: by Henry David Thoreau, “If
man does not dance to the same beat perhaps
it is because he hears his own drummer.” Coleen
has this painted on her 7'0 Walden super wide
which is a tribute board to Walden Pond. |
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Queensland, Australia
Katie was born in South Africa, was raised
in Queensland, Australia and has been surfing
since 1999. Although she was the first in her
family to take up surfing, she’s converted
her family members to surfers. Katie has been
teaching with Las Olas since 2003, is a certified
Australian surf coach and loves surfing “because
it instantly connects you to a surf family
all over the world... it's like being part
of a tribe.”
On dry land, Katie is a third year student
of architecture, and took a break for traveling,
surfing, and teaching surfing. In 2005 alone,
she spent time in Mexico, California, South
Africa, Hawaii and New York. Katie’s
ability to adapt to new places makes her the
perfect world traveller. Her lifelong traveling
companion is her teddy bear, who has been everywhere
with her since birth.
Besides surfing:
• For fun: Cooking, reading, drinking rum.
• To do list: Travel to as many countries as
possible.
• Favorite food: Tacos in Mexico and Mum's
paella.
• Quote: "There is always good that
comes from the bad." |
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Nayarit, Mexico & Seaside, Oregon
Although Jessica first fell in love with the
tropical waters of Florida, it was the chilly
waves of Oregon where she first learned to
surf in 2000, a time when there weren’t
many women in the water. “After a cold
surf you feel so alive.” Surfing soon
became the focus of her life in Oregon where
she worked as a lifeguard. When she made her
first trip to Mexico, she simply forgot to
go home. Jessica has called Mexico her home
since 2002, and has surfed the entire Pacific
coast of Mexico. Jessica quickly learned Spanish
from the locals, and returns the favor by teaching
English to children in Mexico. She found her
dream job with Las Olas, teaching both surfing
and yoga.
Jessica knows that being a yogi makes her
a better surfer. ”It brings me into the
moment that is now, keeps my energy level high
and my mind clear.” Yoga is one of the
main ingredients for her healthy lifestyle,
and she has developed a yoga class specifically
for surfers. “A day filled with yoga
and surfing is the perfect day.”
Besides surfing...
• Yoga Training: Ashtanga and Iyengar
• Quote: "Surfing has centered me
and brought so much joy into my life. I feel
blessed that I've been able to build my life
around it and share my love with others."
• Next: Travel to India to study more yoga |
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Jupiter, Florida
Kristy was practically raised in the water
while growing up in Jupiter, Florida, but only
started surfing in 2000. With a very short
learning curve, Kristy rose to the top of women’s
surfing and won the Women's World Longboard
Championship in October of 2005. Kristy has
been a surf instructor at Las Olas since 2003,
and also designs a women's line of boards called
Siren with board sponsor Channin.
Kristy is the official Las Olas party starter;
she’s always good for a laugh, usually
without trying, and makes a mean, yet delicious
margarita. A natural comedian, she's loaded
with snappy one-liners and impromptu impressions.
She can get a dozen girls dancing just seconds
after the music starts.
Besides surfing...
• For fun: Horseback riding on the beaches
of Mexico, and she packs her cowboy outfit
for every trip.
• To do list: As a self-taught 'interpretive
dancer', Kristy hopes to make a documentary
about her new passion.
• Quotes: "Hands to the sky!" and "Sexual
chocolate!" |
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Dunsborough, Western Australia
Lizzie grew up near Margaret River, the mecca
of big wave surfing in Australia. She learned
to surf from her father as a preteen in 1990.
He would convince her to paddle out with him,
among very large waves... then coax her into
them. Her father’s influence has stayed
with her while surfing in Mexico, California,
England, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Hawaii, Indonesia
and multiple coasts in Australia. Although
she’s a worldly surfer girl, Lizzie would
best be described as ‘quintessentially
Australian’. “I love the lifestyle
that goes with the greatest pastime ever”.
Lizzie has been a surf instructor since 1995
and working with Las Olas since 2004. As a
certified Australian Level-Two surf coach,
Lizzie teaches beginning and advanced surfers
alike. As the National Women's Director for
Surfing Australia, she developed programs to
introduce women to surfing and was rewarded
with an Australian Sports Medal. Lizzie’s "Go
Surfing Day" is now on the Honour Role
at the Australian Surfing Hall of Fame.
Besides surfing...
• For fun: play guitar, fish, dive, write,
read, gardening.
• To do list: Publish her stories, perform
music in front of an audience, Brad Pitt... “he
will be mine”.
• Nickname: Tough Love, due to her rather
blunt style of coaching... firm but effective! |
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Santa Cruz, California
Ashley has been surfing since 1989, and
teaching surfing since 2000. She currently
competes and surfs professionally for Toes
on the nose and Revolutions. Ashley loves
working with Las Olas because she feels appreciated
for her surfing skills and loves to see students
ride waves in just one week. Ashley is one
of only a few women worldwide that shapes
surfboards by hand. She says "shaping
is very zen".
Then there’s Ashley the musician, who
writes music, sings, plays acoustic guitar
and performs live with her group The Ashley
Lloyd Situation. She has released one CD, has
another in the works, and describes her music
as “home style with a back porch groove”.
Ashley’s lyrics are personal, soulful,
and are guaranteed to make you smile.
Besides surfing...
• To do list: Go on tour performing her
music
• Surf Travels: Taiwan, Australia, New
Zealand, Mexico.
• Quote: "Love before for all things."
• Music website: www.ashleylloydmusic.com |
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San Blas, Mexico
Sofia is originally from Mexico City, but
has lived in San Blas on Mexico’s Pacific
coast since 1995, where she works with a non-profit
that preserves the culture of the Huichol Indians
(the native people in that area of Mexico).
As a Huichol descendant herself, Sofia gives
seminars on the culture and mythology, and
makes intricate Huichol beaded jewelry with
traditional patterns. Sofia is also a talented
painter, skilled henna body artist, speaks
three languages and teaches Spanish.
Sofia first learned to surf with Las Olas’ staff
in 1999, at a time when very few Mexican women
were surfing. She learned quickly, and entered
her first surf contest in 2005. “I love
the feeling of riding the wave, the speed,
and the fact that I’m spending time in
the ocean and in nature.“
Besides surfing...
• For fun: art, music, books, yoga, traveling
• Favorite pastime: Cooking. Sofia loves to
try new recipes and makes amazing deserts
• Surf travel: Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua,
El Salvador
• Best known for: Amazing massages.
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Santa Cruz, California
Julie has been a surfer since 1996, and is
a professional longboarder for Roxy and Gallaz
since 2002. Surfing has taken Julie to Costa
Rica, Hawaii, Baja, Australia, the Cook Islands,
Tahiti, New Zealand, Mexico and France. She
immerses herself in many aspects of surfing
including contest organization, judging, announcing,
competing, and writing for surf publications.
She has appeared in international surf magazines,
modes for surf companies, and is currently
designing her own line of surfboards with Jed
Noll.
An Environmental Studies graduate of UC Santa
Cruz, Julie is also a licensed massage therapist,
freelance photographer, personal surf coach,
and is working on a certificate in Digital
Media. And somehow, she has still time to teach
surfing at Las Olas.
Besides surfing...
• Artista: Julie found her new passion, abstract
painting, when she attended Artista Creative
Safaris in 2005 (Las Olas' sister company).
She now paints all her own surfboards by
hand.
• Cover girl: Among several other layouts,
Julie was featured on the cover of the Summer ‘06
cover of Athleta catalog, which was shot on
location in Mexico with Las Olas.
• Photo exhibition: Julie had her first show
Santa Cruz in 2006, with more in the works. |
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Carmel-by-the-Sea,
California
Jackie learned to surf in 1998, braving the
cold waters of Oregon, but now prefers the
gentle warm waters of Mexico and Hawaii. "I
love gliding across the water and the wonderful
feeling of balance." Having traveled
the world together over the past twenty years,
Jackie and husband Brian settled in Carmel
to raise daughter Juliet, "My greatest
desire is to bring up my girl to be a kind
and happy woman". With the heart of a
traveller, Jackies hopes to someday spend at
least a year globetrotting with her family,
leaving all complications and responsibilities
behind.
Besides Surfing:
• To do list: Write a great story and see it
published
• Spare time: Books, movies, yoga
• Favorite things: Round Table pepperoni pizza,
Ricky Gervais |
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Nayarit, Mexico/Monterey, California
Octavia spent her formative years on the picturesque
shores of Pebble Beach and Monterey Bay, and
began surfing in Santa Cruz in 1996. Her degree
in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz has
driven her passion for the ocean, and she seeks
jobs with the right combination of sun, surf
and sand. One such job was with the Monterey
Bay Aquarium, where she lead a children’s
bilingual diving program that encouraged young
women’s interest in marine science. In
Mexico, she leads whale watching tours of migrating
humpbacks.
As world traveler, Octavia has been to to
more than 30 countries, and now makes her
home in Mexico. When not surfing the warm
Mexican waters, you can find her hiking and
taking photos, or planning her next travel
destination.
Besides surfing...
• To do list: Hopes to start an marine
educational program for local kids in Mexico.
• Massage: Octavia’s Certification
is from Cypress Health Institute in Santa Cruz,
California, and as a strong athlete herself,
she gives a vigorous and therapeutic sports
massage.
• Quote: "Work like you don't need
the money. Love like you have never been hurt.
Dance like no one is looking." |
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- Surf
Instructor / Printer / Entrepreneur
Nicole grew up an hour inland from the Pacific
Ocean in Temecula, where her youth revolved
around playing soccer. She got on world traveling
team and moved to San Diego to pursue a soccer
career.
Once in sunny San Diego, she picked up surfing
during time away from soccer and when she
caught her first wave, she knew her life
was about to change. She gave up soccer to
surf, and sculpted her life around surfing.
Surf travels have taken her to Indonesia,
Japan, Hawaii, Mainland, and all up and down
Baja.
She currently has a clothing line for female
surfers, and she personally designs and prints
every piece. In her spare time she enjoys
snowboarding, cliff jumping, the driving
range, and throwing awesome theme parties.
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- Surf
Instructor
Shauna hails from Mission, BC, Canada where
the outdoor lifestyle reigns supreme. She
spent summers boating, swimming, wakeboarding
and camping, and winters snowboarding.
After graduation, she vowed to move herself
every 6 months. That landed her in Tofino,
on Vancouver Island where she learned to
surf, and eventually, to teach surfing. In
keeping her promise, and with a lust for
warm waves and new cultures, surfing has
taken her to Costa Rica, Panama, Australia,
Peru, and now Mexico.
She loves surfing because it provides a
feeling of freedom, and she forgets everything
else when in the ocean, focusing only on
the last wave and the next wave. Besides
surfing, she’s working on a Health
and Nutrition Degree, loves to paint with
acrylics, practice yoga and run on the beach.
Her goals in life are to share happiness
with others, be open to life and new experiences,
follow her path and live the dream.
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- Surf
Instructor / Yoga Instructor
Dawn grew up landlocked in the middle of
Canada, so it was a slow migration to the
coast. She favored snowboarding and skateboarding
over team sports and after high school she
moved to the mountains to hike, rock climb,
and snowboard as many days of the season
as possible. She worked as a snowboard instructor
and began her yoga journey.
With dreams of learning Spanish and warm
travel, she flew to Mexico at age 19 and
saw the open ocean for the first time. She
hitched a ride with a couple from Vancouver
Island to a spot where they claimed a woman
would teach her Spanish and put her up in
exchange for work. She scaled fish, washed
dishes and made salsa. The location was one
of Mexico’s more challenging beach
breaks... not a place to learn to surf. So
she returned to Vancouver Island to be a
surfer, and soon, a surf instructor.
Eight years later, she’s travelled
and surfed in Baja, El Salvador, Nicaragua,
Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, and Chile. A two
year work/surf adventure took her from Hawaii
to New Zealand, Australia to Indonesia and
Samoa.
At home in Tofino, Canada she works as a
massage practitioner and continues to explore
the island, and with her boat, surfs remote
breaks and fishes for salmon. She also loves
to paint, draw, dance, write, eat gourmet
food, practice hula hoop and stretch.
To do list: More traveling, start a business,
write a book, learn more styles of body work,
and more yoga!
Quote: "Dare to dream."
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Surf Instructor
Erin has been surfing for 7 years and teaching
for the past 4 years. She grew up in North
Carolina and still calls it home, but learned
to surf in San Diego and still spends several
months a year there teaching. When not
surfing she enjoys photography, writing,
hiking, traveling and learning as much
as possible about the environment and the
world in which we live.
Erin loves watching students learn to surf,
learn to love the ocean, and learn to laugh
at themselves when they fall... then get
up, turn the board around and paddle back
out for another go.
Other facts:
- Driven cross country ALONE... 6 times.
- Caught mosquitoes for a living.
- Learned to build homes with Habitat for
Humanity, in Louisiana.
- Worked on several political campaigns;
started at 9 years old.
Earned a degree in Marine and Coastal Natural
Resources
Personal goals in life: To do some good,
to have some fun and to make my momma proud.
Favorite quote: “Here goes...”
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- Surf Instructor, Massage
Therapist
A native of Mexico, Vanessa learned to surf
when she was 17 years old. Raised in Guadalajara,
far form the beach, she made a commitment
to move to the coast and immerse herself
in the ocean lifestyle. She hasn’t
left yet. She loves the ocean and all nature,
the people that she gets to meet, and “the
magic all around.”
She has competed internationally, and has
been Mexican Women’s National Champion
(short board). Her surf travels have taken
her all over Mexico, to the US, Portugal
and other latin countries. She prefers the
perfect waves of Puerto Escondido above all
others.
Quote: “I love surfing as my way of
living, and I’m also a massage and
physical therapist. I like drawing, wood
carving and art, reading and I love music!”
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- Head
Surf Instructor
Naomi learned to surf on the beach breaks
of Tofino / Ucluelet on Vancouver Island,
Canada. She has been surfing for nine years,
instructing for six. Naomi loves the way
teaching surfing gives her the opportunity
to travel and experience different cultures
and tropical locations away from the 6mm
suit and 7mm booties. She has traveled all
over Vancouver Island, Central America, Mexico
and Europe looking for fun waves and meeting
inspiring people along the way. When Naomi
isn’t surfing at home in, she loves
to be outside... hiking, snowboarding or
working in her garden. Owning a sailboat
and circumnavigating Vancouver Island still
remain on her to-do list.
Personal goals: Keep surfing - forever.
Weakness: Chocolate - any kind.
Quotable quote: Nothing is softer or more
flexible than water, yet nothing can resist
it. - Lao Tzu
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- Surf
Instructor
Originally from upstate New York, Sonja
learned to surf in Humboldt County at age
21 while attending college. There, she earned
a degree in Marine Resource Planning and
Management from Humboldt State University.
She knows oceanography as well as how to
play in the ocean. She has taught Women's
and Coed Surf Lessons at the university for
two years. Sonja enjoys inspiring surfers
and sharing her enthusiasm and appreciation
for the art and sport of surfing.
Her surf travels have taken her to: Hawaii
(4 months), Costa Rica (3 months), Nicaragua,
Baja California (1 month), California Coast
(full-time), and the Oregon Coast (various
times).
Desires: Develop stronger Spanish speaking
skills, organize world-wide (local and international)
beach clean-ups, use her Scientific Diving
Certificate and BS Degree to monitor/preserve/protect
the health of our world's reefs.
Activities: surfing, diving, free-diving,
snorkeling, rock climbing, running, biking,
backpack/hike, spear-fishing
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- Surf
Instructor
A native Floridian, Rachel has been in the
sun and surf her entire life. At age 12,
she begged her mom to buy her first surfboard
and taught herself how to surf. By 2000,
her success in local competitions earned
her an invitation to try out for the U.S.
Amateur Team. With over 23 years of experience,
Rachel brings a wealth of knowledge to the
beach.
Combining surfing and being a successful
real estate agent is no easy trick, but Rachel
keeps her sanity by scheduling regular ‘board
meetings’.
Favorite food – anything her husband
makes!
Favorite dog – English Bull Terrier.
She has two; Haley & Nathan Jr.
Other interests – Offshore fishing,
anything on or in the water, working with
glass to create mosaic art.
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Carmel, California
Mike grew up inland of the Pacific Ocean,
but it was clear he was an aquatic creature
as a small boy. Already a strong swimmer
by age three, his Dad would have to literally
drag him out of the freezing water in Santa
Cruz, kicking and screaming (Mike, not Dad).
Mike didn’t learn to surf until he
was 30, but it has since taken over his life.
In the past ten years, Mike has surfed up
and down California, Baja, Mainland Mex,
Costa Rica, and Japan. Ireland is next on
his surf travel list. Mike says “Surfing
keeps you humble; it reminds you that the
Ocean is large and in charge.”
After a lucrative career as an advertising
writer and author, Mike traded in his desk
for a beach. As Operations Manager for Las
Olas, he makes safaris run smoothly, develops
new programs... and still has a silent fit
when he has to get out of the ocean.
Besides surfing...
• Spare time: paddleboard racing, bocce,
salmon fishing, snowboarding, tennis, bonsai
trees.
• To do list: Santa Cruz to Monterey (25
miles) on a paddleboard, box seats at Wimbledon,
grow up.
• Favorite things: dark chocolate, dark
coffee, dark beer, dark humor.
• Favorite products: Patagonia, Nixon,
O’Neill, Subaru, Macintosh, Bacardi
• Quote: “Surfing is the cure, for
almost everything.”
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Rachel
Michael
