Welcome Back to Las Olas

by Mike McDaniel on January 20, 2012

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The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) spends the summer in the very cold but nutrient-rich waters of Alaska and the Aleutian Islands. There, they stock up on food for the long journey south that begins in the fall. By the time they reach Mexico in winter, they are ready to give birth or find mates. Whales [...]

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Choosing the Right Wetsuit

by Mike McDaniel
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Choosing The Right Wetsuit On safari in Mexico, we enjoy nice warm water and surf in our swimsuits about 98% of the time. Lucky us! Occasionally, maybe once every few years, the water temp might unexpectedly drop 5-7 degrees and then we get in our wetsuits for a few days. So far this season, it’s [...]

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How to Read a Surf Report

by Mike McDaniel
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Farewell, Mr. Collins. On Monday, the day after Christmas, I was just starting to rough out a draft of this blog entry. At that time, the working title was ‘How To Read a Surf Report’ and it was going to be exactly that. But an unfortunate and oddly coincidental thing happened. The news that Sean [...]

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5 Tips From a Travel Pro

by Mike McDaniel
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No matter where you’re going over the holidays—to grandma’s house, or to a perfect surf break for a mid-winter surf escape—these tips and reminders might make the difference between arriving ready to surf or ready to scream. Less is More The prevalence of iPhones, iPads and their counterparts means leaving the laptop at home is [...]

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The Very Merry Cranberry Margarita

by Bev Sanders
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Nothing goes with summertime like a frosty margarita, but the days are growing shorter. No worries, here’s a seasonal spin on our favorite South-of-the-Border concoction that’s perfect for your party. Just add friends, chips and salsa, and dance tunes. Special note: Quality ingredients do make a difference, especially the next day. Your guests will thank you. Not to mention, cheap tequila makes bad dates. Los Ingredientes [...]

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Stoked For Life!

by Mike McDaniel
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For better or for worse, my life revolves around surfing. I often show up for work at Las Olas HQ fifteen minutes late and slightly wet. I’m more concerned about running out of surf wax than I am about running out of shampoo. The point being, I’m probably the most ‘core’ surfer in our company. Therefore, the [...]

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A Surfer Girl’s Guide to Buying a Surfboard

by Mike McDaniel
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Shopping for a surfboard? Your choices can be divided into off-the-rack or custom shaped boards. Off-the-rack boards are ready to go, standard shapes that perform for a wide variety of surfers. Custom shaped surfboards are unique, handmade watercraft made especially for you, like a tailored jacket. A good surfer girl does her homework and learns [...]

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12 Good Reasons Why Women Should Learn to Surf

by Bev Sanders
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Balance is Bliss Balancing on a board on top of a wave teaches you to balance in life. You’ll find yourself intuitively knowing how to bend with the breeze and go with the flow. Inner GPS Surfing stirs intuition. It helps you connect with things you were born knowing… like how to have fun. Being in [...]

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The 2011 Las Olas Surf Safari Scholarship

by Bev Sanders
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What’s your vision of a better future? I’m happy to announce that Las Olas Surf Safaris for Women is offering another surf scholarship designed to recognize and honor an exceptional woman who inspires others and makes a positive impact at home, in the community, and in the world. The 2011 scholarship will be awarded to [...]

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A Gift to Roz ~ From Your Sisters of the Sea

by Bev Sanders
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I’ve always admired determined women, especially women who push beyond their physical and emotional boundaries. I especially admire her when her effort is on behalf of our planet that’s being pushed beyond its own boundaries. Roz Savage is one of those determined women. As the first woman to row solo across both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Roz is about to cross [...]

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Global Surf Connection

by Bev Sanders
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Last week, the phone rang at daybreak. I let it go to message and drifted back to sleep. But then a calm, but stern female voice broadcasted an automated message through the tiny answering machine speaker. She reported an earthquake somewhere off the coast of Japan triggered a tsunami that was now only hours away [...]

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The Las Olas Perfect (and perfectly adjustable) Mexican Margarita

by Bev Sanders
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Just add friends. Los Ingredientes Tequila ~ Not expensive sipping tequila, but something respectable. Cheap tequila makes bad margaritas. We like El Jimador; it’s smooth and not too expensive. Orange liqueur ~ Triple Sec, Cointreau or Patron Citronage are all nice. Simple syrup, or sugar water. Fresh squeezed lime juice. The small pre-ripe yellow/green limes [...]

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Connection and Coincidence

by Bev Sanders
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The best part of my job is meeting Las Olas guests. After so much fun in the sun, our conversations always turn to our connections. This week has been no exception. One guest set out to learn to surf so she could ride the waves with her sister, Jennifer. I lost my sister Jennifer four [...]

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I Dream of Mexico

by Jackie Sanders
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I didn’t always dream of going to Mexico. Growing up in California, my sights were set much further, and I longed for such far flung locales as Australia, southeast Asia and Europe. Once I turned 18, I began my search for paradise with my backpack on and map in hand.  Over the years, I visited [...]

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How To Manifest a Surf Vacation

by Bev Sanders
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As a kid, I was expert in the art of visualization. I believed I could manifest anything into reality. Like most kids, I daydreamed about roller skates, a brand new bicycle, or my very own puppy. To manifest my reality, my bedroom wall became my vision board. Unimpressed, my dad suggested I sell Kool Aid. Looking back, I admit the [...]

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Love Your Surfboard ~ A Silly Mistake Leads to Something Good

by Bev Sanders
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Many years ago, I went surfing at Pleasure Point in Santa Cruz. I’d just gotten a shiny, beautiful new board. I hesitated to wax it up and take it out for the first time, but the waves looked so fun and inviting. Excited to get out in the water, I waxed the board quickly and attached [...]

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Can Surfing Make You Happy?

by Bev Sanders
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Julia Roberts travels the world in search of bliss in Eat, Pray, Love and the New York Times asks “But Will It Make You Happy”- is it better to spend on stuff or get out and have an experience? It’s no surprise that the quest for “true happiness” is the mission du jour. “This actually is a topic that hasn’t been [...]

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Mi Mexico, Mi Amor

by Bev Sanders
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When I read about hardship in parts of Mexico it affects me deeply. For over two decades, I’ve traveled and worked with our neighbors to the south. My experience continues to be rich and wonderful. My Mexico is where the fish is fresh, the smoothies are made with handpicked fruit, where my niece can walk [...]

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The 2010 Las Olas Surf Safari Scholarship Goes To…

by Bev Sanders
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As women, we create life, we nurture, we heal, we hold our families and communities together, we defend those we love, and we survive hardship. Our energy is infinite. The nomination essays we received portraying the challenges and victories women have experienced prove that we can do anything. Throughout the Las Olas Surf Safaris Scholarship [...]

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Announcing Our Scholarship Finalists

by Bev Sanders
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Hola, I’m writing this with tears in my eyes. I would like to extend a big “thank you” to all contributors of the Las Olas Surf Scholarship. Your nominations proved there are so many inspiring women in our midst. Honestly, your words touched my heart. Needless to say, selecting ten finalists was not easy. Now it’s [...]

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