{"id":41841,"date":"2019-10-02T15:49:02","date_gmt":"2019-10-02T21:49:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/164.68.121.224\/wrsc\/?p=41841"},"modified":"2023-07-07T10:22:25","modified_gmt":"2023-07-07T16:22:25","slug":"pro-surfer-spotlight-andrea-diaz","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/164.68.121.224\/wrsc\/pro-surfer-spotlight-andrea-diaz\/","title":{"rendered":"Pro Surfer Spotlight | Andrea Diaz"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Do you know Andrea Diaz? She is Costa Rica\u2019s first woman’ surfing national champion, a mother of three, former Roxy team rider, and just a bad ass woman overall. Luckily for us, Andrea is also the head coach for Witch\u2019s Rock\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>Female Surf Retreats<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>which are scheduled for 1 week each month from November – April. Let’s dig into Andrea’s unique story…<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

-How long have you been playing in the ocean?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>

For 23 years now<\/span><\/p>

-When did surfing become part of your life?<\/b><\/p>

I used to be a competitive swimmer so my teenage years were locked inside a pool. At the time I had qualified for the Atlanta Olympics, but that was not my real heart\u2019s desire. So finally one day I figured out how to escape the pool (and my parents) by volunteering as a ranger in Playa Grande National Park. I was around 17 years old and working with Leatherback turtles along one of the best surf breaks in northern Costa Rica. So finally, I got my hands on a surfboard , paddled out, and that was it… I remember going back home and telling my little brother that I finally figured out what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. At this point I didn\u2019t even envision I could have a career in the surfing Industry\u2026 I literally told my brother,\u00a0 “Look, I don\u2019t care if I live on a little palapa ranch on the beach, all I want to do is play in the waves and live a simple life. So please, when we grow old, make sure you have my back and buy eyeglasses for me\u201d as I figured I would not have a ton of money\u2026 The hard part of surfing actually came easy for me. I was able to catch and ride waves on my first session as I had the muscle and endurance to surf at a decent level on my first surf sessions.<\/span><\/p>

-How many years were you pro for Roxy?<\/b><\/p>

I was a Roxy team rider for 7 years. I like to say I was NOT born a surfer, but made into a surfer. I got picked by Roxy after scoring the cover shot of the biggest Latin American Magazine at the time, Surfos<\/em>.\u00a0 I was actually the 1<\/span>st<\/span> girl ever to be featured on the cover, and three has only been 1 girl since.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

-What is your title in Costa Rica for surfing on a professional level? Did you win any championships?<\/b><\/p>

I really didn\u2019t focus on competitive surfing in my prime, I was more on the life style side. So I worked more traveling with photographers for magazines and ads for the brands I represented. I have been undefeated master champ for 2 years in CR and have been 5<\/span>th<\/span> in the world in the master’s division in the world surfing games ran by the ISA.<\/span><\/p>

-What is your goal for the women\u2019s retreat?<\/b><\/p>

My goal is to empower women through surfing, My regular guest is not looking to become a pro. Most of the women tell me, \u201cI’ve always wanted to learn to surf and finally have the money and time to do it.\u201d\u00a0 They want to have this experience and overcome their fears and confidence issues in the water. So my goal is to give these ladies all the knowledge, and build their confidence in the water so that they can become proficient surfers.<\/span><\/p>

-Is there a positive to women learning surrounded by other women vs. a co-ed crew or male coach?<\/b><\/p>

ABSOLUTELY!\u00a0 Here are a few:<\/span><\/p>

Surfing is a contact sport. It’s common to get pounded and pummeled by the waves and probably end up losing your top or bottoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

I love playing more of a mentor role than just a surf instructor. I demonstrate that it’s O.K. to take your time training on land as women have different strengths than men.<\/span><\/p>

Last but not least, women are by nature better communicators and listeners than men. I take more time on the beach explaining fundamentals than most male instructors.<\/span><\/p>

-What is the number one thing you hope that the ladies that attend your retreats leave with?<\/b><\/p>

EMPOWERMENT self believe that they can do it!!!<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

-What makes your retreat different than others? What sets you apart?<\/b><\/p>

I\u2019m the mom of 3. I know first hand what it feels like to be intimidated by waves. I know what it’s like to lose your upper body strength every time in the water. Plus, being a full-time mom and having to work extra hard to maintain strength. I know what it’s like to be in the water wanting to give up, to quit surfing because at some point it just gets too hard. I know how it feels to be the only girl out there and having to win the respect of the boys in order to catch waves . I have taken the time to study the holistic development\/process to become a surfer and have the passion to really communicate the science and function-ability of the technical \u2013psychological and physical aspects of surfing. I am a surf nerd, I am a woman surf nerd.<\/span><\/p>

-Why is a week long retreat more efficient to learning than a couple of lessons?<\/b><\/p>

In order for the retreat to be successful, all lessons and training needs to be planned in a progressive learning curve. In just a couple of surf lessons you can’t absorb everything that it takes to be a proficient surfer.<\/span><\/p>

-What is your process to get the ladies confident to surf? (ie. theory of waves, the pool etc.)<\/b><\/p>

I have set up a comprehensive hands-on program. The ladies are not only pushed out of their comfort zone but have amazing drills to take back home so that they can continually prepare surfing more consistently.<\/span><\/p>

In a one week retreat I do :<\/span><\/p>