SOL SEA SWIM Girls Surf Trip
I had the most amazing time on my surf trip to Fiji! I went with my friend Sam, joining the Solsea swim surf trip.
Traveling with a 9-foot surfboard bag is no joke. It’s long, heavy, and honestly a bit awkward to get around. At 4 a.m. we arrived at the check-in desk. Four other girls were there, and we assumed they were on the same trip (you can’t miss those giant surfboards!).
Then, a curveball...Air New Zealand couldn’t take our boards. They said we were supposed to call ahead, but honestly, I’m not sure that would have helped, the cargo area was too small and too full. Thankfully, we had an amazing Air NZ staff member trying to help us. We decided to check the boards on knowing they’d arrive the next day and file a lost bag report once we got there.
Once we landed, everything was perfect. The transfers to Plantation Island Resort were smooth, and we spent the afternoon by the pool with a few cocktails in hand.
Amy, the organiser of the trip and owner of Solsea swim, gave us an incredible goodie bag. Inside, we got a bikini each, some sunblock from Nice Cream, a wet bag from BLUHOUR, Surf Wax, some beautful face oil from Hails the Naturopath, and lots of other amazing treats.
Of course, there were also a few sachets of Hydra boost. I brought a whole tub of each flavour so the girls could keep their bottles topped up throughout the trip.
Day 2 in Fiji, our boards had arrived on the NZ flight by lunchtime so we were planning a sunset surf. Unfortunately, that did not happen because the wind had picked up and it would have been messy and hard work for our first time surfing out at the reef. We had another amazing day swimming, snorkeling, eating and relaxing by the pool.
Day 3, we were all set to go: electrolytes from equilibrium packed, sunblock applied and snacks for days. Sam and I were feeling super nervous. There were so many girls out in the water with us, other surfers at the breaks, and the dreaded coral just inches from our feet. Having our hydration sorted definitely helped calm our nerves and kept our energy up. We were pumped to just get out there and catch that first wave.
We started at Tavi Rights and the waves were huge. The girls who had surfed there before gave us heaps of tips about how to get off the waves safely and avoid jumping straight onto the coral. There was so much to think about, but we went out, caught our first wave and some of the nerves melted away.
It was such an adrenaline rush, always a little nervous, always something to be aware of. But as the days went on and we surfed at a few different spots, we started to relax. By the end of the trip we were progressing so much with our surfing and it felt incredible. And honestly, having electrolytes on hand every day made a huge difference in staying energised, focused and ready to tackle the waves.
Our last day out on the waves was incredible. We spent the day surfing at Swimming Pools, where the waves were small and soft, and the scary coral was not so close. We had long rides where we could practice some of the skills we had learned, which was so much fun. We even had some epic party waves with up to eight girls riding together. It was the perfect end to such an amazing trip.
That night, we all had dinner together and a little debrief, talking about our goals and whether we had achieved them. It was such a great way to reflect and celebrate everything we had experienced.
Looking back on the trip, I realise just how important it was to stay hydrated and keep up with electrolytes every day. Long hours in the sun and out on the water can be exhausting, and having electrolytes from equilibrium made a huge difference in staying energised, recovering quickly, and enjoying every moment to the fullest. If you’re planning an adventure, whether it’s surfing, hiking, or just spending the day outdoors, don’t forget to prioritise hydration, electrolytes, and sun protection. Your body will thank you, and it will make the experience even more amazing.
Mandy xx