Ourselves
Joyce, Melinda, Chelsea, Susan
CHELSEA aka 'SHELLSEA' - Retreat Director and 'CGO' Chief Goddess Organizer
I first arrived on Bali's beaches in 1973 as a child when my adventurous parents moved to Indonesia to live. I grew up amongst the amazing warmth of the Balinese people, their vibrant Hindu culture and welcoming tropical waters, which have remained fundamentally unchanged over the years.
So although my life journey has then taken me to live, and surf, in many international locations, I have always heard Bali's siren song drawing me back to the magical isle that is often referred to as the 'belly button of the world'.
Surfing has been an essential part of my life since I first headed out into Bali's waves many, many years ago and has become the foundation of all that is good in my life today.
With women's surfing still emerging at the time, I was fortunate to be taught by one of the early pioneers of women's professional surfing, who had already been surfing since the 70's. I am eternally grateful that my journey into surfing was lead by this soulful woman surfer who taught me the lessons of the 'Surf Goddess Way' which I now have the pleasure of passing on to all those who join us today.
Surf Goddess Retreats all began about 8 years ago while I was relaxing with my friends after we had finished another fantastic day surfing together in Bali. We all agreed that the best times in our lives had been when we were simply hanging out in the surf being 'girls' - enjoying the tingle of saltwater on the skin, the power of the ocean, sitting in the line-up with our 'surf sisters' as the fiery sun set into the sea.
It was in that moment I knew that I wanted to be the first woman in Asia to make the camaraderie, laughter and fun we share when surfing together available to all women who travel to our beloved region.... which had up until then only catered to male surfers.
Now at 40 years 'young', I am also proud to be a glorious example that you don't have to fit the media's image of a 'surfer girl' to experience the joy of riding waves and that surfing can be enjoyed by women of all ages, shapes and fitness levels.
Having worked for many years as professional life coach and management trainer, today as the founder of Surf Goddess Retreats I am privileged to combine all my life's passions by offering a space where women can fully experience the joy of being the best of themselves - strong, sensual, smart, silly and full of life!
Something wonderful happens when women surf, we grow more confident in ourselves, we find new places in our soul, we wash away the cares of the world and see the big picture of our lives and our place in it.
Surfing is more than simply a sport, it is a state of mind and way of being.
MELINDA' - Surf Goddess
Coming from Melbourne Australia, Melinda brings to our retreats her charming blend of enthusiasm and professionalism; both for her pure love of surfing and her ability to make sure all our guests receive the utmost in care and attention. Melinda has an extensive background in senior corporate management and also as a professional life coach in her 'past life'. Today, Melinda is the perfect example of a woman who had the courage to create her life the way she wants it.
Making the decision to follow her dream, Melinda jumped in feet first and moved to Bali to have a life in where she could immerse herself daily in her passion for surfing. She now shares her joy of surfing and living life to the fullest with our guests on Surf Goddess Retreats as our resident Surf Goddess Guide and all round super stoked wahine!
Melinda shares on her passion for surfing. "Every morning I paddle out to another amazing sunrise on the beautiful island of Bali. Surfing connects me to who I am and reminds me all the time of how great life is. Surfing is an incredible rush. The ultimate moment for me is riding down the face of a big wave. When I am surfing I experience the amazing feeling of anticipation, exhilaration and euphoria. The ocean also teaches me the three most important things I need to continually learn in my life; patience, humility and powerlessness. I love knowing I have helped people experience something they never thought they could achieve; riding their first ever wave, catching the biggest wave of their life and more…"
'SUSAN' - Yoga Goddess
Susan was born and educated in New Zealand, but her passion for music soon drew her to the vibrant scene in London where she lived for ten years, representing and promoting alternative artists. In the year 2000 yoga appeared in her life, striking a chord so deep that within six months she found herself traveling through India with a back-pack and a clear motivation to connect with the heart of the tradition. This odyssey drew her to Koh Phangan, Thailand where she furthered her studies and practice of asana, meditation, chanting and Vedic wisdom while serving as Manager at The Sanctuary's Wellness Centre. She focused her work at this popular facility on guiding clients back to health through healthy eating and life-style choices, using the cleansing process as a springboard.
Curious to experience life in a Hindu culture and deepen her yoga studies, she traveled through Sri Lanka to settle in Bali, Indonesia. This coincided with a shift to full time yoga teaching and the completion of a 200 hour Yoga Alliance Teacher Training program. Her path, like that of her mentors, is one of daily practice, self-study and the burning desire to share the blessings of yoga. Susan shares on her passion for yoga ""Yoga has been my guiding light for over 10 years now, reliably drawing me forward to a more fulfilling life.
"Yoga sets me free. It did so in the beginning, when I found the life I had so carefully constructed was not bringing me happiness and it continues to set me free in more and more subtle ways as I see the effects of taking my practice off the mat into my life. Yoga shows me through direct experience that we create our paradise here in this life time by living and giving from a place of compassion. When a challenging situation arises I have a wealth of resources to deal with it, and I know I need never look further than my mat for the path to resolution."
"I am inspired by the quest to find creative ways to bring the ancient and profound teachings of great traditions into our modern lives. Sharing knowledge with women who see their power to manifest and shape their own lives is exciting. In a retreat environment women share their insights and experience to guide the future of their own lives and the practice."
"I am honored to be a part of our joint evolution and delight in the learning opportunity that each guest presents. I love to see the experienced yoginis get the information and guidance they need to deepen their existing yoga practice, and to see novices discover a new way to enjoy the blessing of a healthy, active body."
"I love to connect with wonderful women, be nourished by their energy and have the opportunity to give something in return. I love to share the enthusiasm I have for yoga, to see the light that shines from my own heart reflected in the eyes of our guests."
'JOYCE' - Pamper Goddess
Joyful Joyce brings her passion of gourmet cooking and love of entertaining to our retreats. She is a natural hostess who makes sure all out guests are pampered and well cared for with all the little personal touches that really make Surf Goddess the perfect place where guests can Re-Treat themselves to an amazingly luxurious experience.
Joyce shares on her passion for cooking and entertaining, "I've always appreciated food. When I was a child, my grandmother used to spend most of her day in the kitchen preparing scrumptious meals and nibbles for her grandchildren. I remember how much I enjoyed watching and helping her chopping vegetables, picking roots off bean sprouts, peeling onions and garlic, grinding spices and chilies using her traditional mortar and pestle made of stone. She shared a secret of delicious cooking, "Never have another hand stirring the pot, otherwise the flavor will unbalance."
I find cooking therapeutic. It's a wonderful feeling to use different kitchen utensils – each to their function and some, to be honest, are just too cute; to combine different ingredients – some of them are of exotic flavors, or aromatic, or colorful – and with some help from temperature and cooking tricks, turn them into an amazing feast for your eyes and taste buds. I think it's rather magical….my wooden spoon is my wand! On the other side, to see my loved ones and friends go "Mmmmmmmm….." with their eyes sparkling or closing, or say "Yummyyyy!" with a big smile on their faces, to the dishes that I've prepared, makes me very happy. When my food makes them happy, I'm happy. I'm ecstatic that my affair with food has become my profession. Besides to be able to do what I love for a living, I also get to take my passion to the next level, and make more and more people happy from their exotic culinary experience on their holiday."
