Inside the waves: Guide to Surf Basics
W/ IsaCris, Maaji Branding Designer & Amateur Surfer
Being Maaji
“Dear Surf: Thank you for the feelings you bring and the smiles you create... you opened my eyes to a world of endless possibilities!”
- Isabel Cristina Cano, Maaji Branding Designer.
Have you had the feeling of your dream becoming something real? It’s just mind-blowing and this is exactly what IsaCris is feeling every time she touches the water.
Being a little kid, she could see herself on a cool surfboard, passing through waves and training every day to be a Pro. And in 2020, when she knew she was just less than 800 km away from becoming one with the beautiful Colombian ocean, she contacted the team in Puerto Colombia. This place felt like home; Simón Salazar and Daniel Olmos thought her ground training, history, tricks, and everything there is to know about surf. Little after, she had her first experience inside the Colombian waves, and yes, it was magical!
To the new board lovers out there, she says:
“Even if you think you are not, you are ready to start this adventure and you will love it! I can give to you these few tips to live this to the fullest”
1. Learn from surf lovers:
Learn from someone full of confidence, skilled with the board, peaceful like the ocean at night and most importantly, someone that loves and lives the water, the wind, the sand and the sky.
2. The perfect board:
Did you know there are different boards for different types of waves? Isa’s best friend is her foam board for now, just until she is ready to take it to the next level, which judging by her discipline seems to be pretty soon!
3. Your swimsuit is a part of you:
You will be moving, swimming, catching small and big waves, so for you to enjoy it a 100% is important you feel comfortable and secure. These are my favorites for the warm Caribbean waters: Bikini with excellent support + Rash guard over the bikini.
4. Pack your essentials:
· Beach bag, the one that you love, fits it all and can get messy too!
· Sunscreen, we all love the feeling of the sun, but first we do need to protect our skin, that’s why we need to use sunscreen on our face, not our body… what? Oh yeah, you don’t want to slip on your board
· Wet bikini bag, for you rash guard and bikini after riding.
· Surfboard wax, your board must move easily on the water.
· Microfiber towel, much lighter to carry. Water bottle, your body would appreciate staying hydrated at all times.
· Cover up, to celebrate your day victories at the beach with friends!
· Bucket hat, always protect your skin from the sun.
5. We all need some safe space:
if you are new at a beach, you should respect and give some space to other surfers who arrived there first, unless they invite you to join them.
6. The feeling you have inside a wave is epic! Enjoy every little part of the journey.
“Surf is more than a sport. Surf is a lifestyle. We are a community that shares knowledge, fun, and love. We always have the best time in and out of the water!
Today, my remote job at Maaji allows me to live some time in Puerto Colombia and some other in Medellín. Now that I have found a lifestyle that I love i feel very vibrant to the idea of living by the ocean and waking up every morning to catch waves.”
- Isabel Cristina Cano, Maaji Branding Designer.
“Surf is more than a sport. Surf is a lifestyle. We are a community that shares knowledge, fun, and love. We always have the best time in and out of the water!
Today, my remote job at Maaji allows me to live some time in Puerto Colombia and some other in Medellín. Now that I have found a lifestyle that I love i feel very vibrant to the idea of living by the ocean and waking up every morning to catch waves.”
- Isabel Cristina Cano, Maaji Branding Designer.