When I booked a surf retreat in France, I expected to have a unique experience. I hoped I'd be able to stand up by the end of the week, make a friend or two, and not get eaten by a shark. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine what I'd actually get out of Bonanza.

A lifelong dream, finally within reach

As a child of the 2000s growing up in the US, surf culture was THE coolest thing. We dressed like we lived 10 minutes from the water, even though we were thousands of miles from the coast. I'd always wanted to learn how to surf, but never had the chance until Bonanza.

For nearly three years, I followed on Instagram before I booked my spot in Edition 9. For those three years, I had been telling myself that I wasn't {insert self-deprecating thing here} enough to go and have that experience. I finally mustered up the courage and booked my spot when the stars aligned, AKA the timing worked out.

Arriving at the villa

After a few solo days in Bordeaux, I was ready for 24/7 socialization and was so excited to meet everyone.

The moment I walked through the villa gates, I was greeted by Amanda waving out of an upstairs window, and I met some of the other girls who had already arrived. Quickly, we all became comfortable with each other, talking outside in the sun for hours as the rest of the girls arrived and we met our newfound friends.

The magic of community

For me, Bonanza's magic came from the community; the wonderful people I met and lived with for that week. We did everything together, learning more about each other as the days wore on. We ate, cooked, danced, surfed, stretched, shopped, explored, learned, walked, and talked with each other. We helped each other get in and out of wetsuits when our arms were too sore to do it ourselves, we howled in the moonlight (literally), and shared about our lives. It's the closest you'll get to a summer camp again as an adult. A mix of ages from early 20s to late 30s, we meshed well and never ran out of good times or conversation.

This community extends beyond just the other girls to Elin, Amanda, Frida, and Theresa. They made everyone feel so included and brought us into their world. We met friends and neighbors living in the area (all wonderful, btw), and it made the experience even more special.

Bonanza reminded me of the beauty of life, the magic of exploration, the joy of community, and the importance of letting yourself be a beginner again.

Learning to surf

As a complete beginner to surfing, I LOVED it. Catching a wave is one of the best feelings in the world. For a brief moment, you feel unstoppable, then you're chasing the next one. Having the whole group together made it even better. We cheered each other on, and it was so cool to see everyone get better over the week. Even though I missed two days after getting hurt on a hike, I learned a lot and felt more comfortable as the week went on.

The instructors are truly world-class. They were SO helpful, funny, and encouraging. They deeply cared about us being safe, having a blast, and actually learning how to surf. They are THE BEST! If you're going, expect tons of sass from them.

How Bonanza changed my real life

Beyond surfing and community, Bonanza helped me see a version of what my real life could be.

Bonanza taught me how large my capacity for joy is and how devoid of it my real life had become. Somehow, through adulthood, COVID, and all of the changes in my 28 years, my world had become quite gray. It happened so slowly that I didn't realize it until I was immersed back into full color at Bonanza. So when I got home, I started painting over the grayscale of my own real life back in the US.

• I ended a long-time friendship that was not supportive
• I quit my corporate job that was making me miserable
• I started fun, creative hobbies again
• I found a stronger, supportive community
• I started my own web design and branding business
• 
  

In short, I decided to make my life feel as good as Bonanza every day. Nearly a year later, I'm so much happier and so grateful for the experience that changed my life. I still often talk to my roommate and close friends that I made (hi Madison and Griet!), and cheer on the rest of the girls when they post.

My one regret (and my advice)

My only regret is not taking more pictures! I tried to be super present and stay off my phone as much as possible. It was wonderful, but I wish that I had more pictures of everyone and everything to help keep the memories alive.

My advice? BOOK YOUR SPOT!!!! Let the experience change you for the better. Get out of your comfort zone. It may just change your life, too. Also, take tons of pictures :)

XO, Hayley