Last June, Seea and Surf With Amigas teamed up for a long-awaited surf trip to Costa Rica—an adventure years in the making. Seea and SWA have collaborated for over a decade, bonded by a shared passion for empowering women and spreading stoke in the water. Last year, that vision finally came to life!
Leah Dawson enjoying the incredible Costa Rican swell!
True to our ethos of sharing the stoke, the Seea team invited three incredible community members to join us on this journey. We hosted a contest, asking our community to share why they love surfing, who they are, and how they contribute to their local surf culture. After reviewing hundreds of inspiring applications, we selected three remarkable women: Farmata Dia (23, Rockaway, NY), Annabelle Le Jeune (30, Honolulu, HI), Jo Pickett (68, Wilmington, NC). Bringing these women along added fresh perspectives and a renewed sense of purpose to our trip. Watching them charge waves, connect in the water, and share their unique stories was incredibly uplifting. We hope their experiences inspire you as much as they inspired us!
Our amazing crew also included team riders Mele Saili, Rosie Jaffurs, and Leah Dawson, alongside SWA team members Jackie George, Angie Medina, and Summer Nelson. We’re also endlessly grateful to our internal Seea team, photographers, cooks, drivers, and the welcoming locals who made this trip unforgettable.
This journey was about so much more than big waves and palm trees. It was a celebration of community, a reflection on our mission, and a reminder of why we do what we do. At Seea, creating swimsuits is about more than just functionality and design—it’s about fostering a vibrant, supportive community through a shared love of surfing. Our trip to Costa Rica brought that vision into focus, leaving us even more inspired to continue our work.
Our trip began in San José, Costa Rica, with the city’s bustling buildings forming a striking contrast to our quiver of over ten longboards. We all gathered for breakfast at the hotel, a mix of first-time introductions and long-awaited reunions, with anticipation and excitement filling the air. Around the breakfast table, we decided to set personal goals for the trip—ranging from improving surfing skills and capturing hero photos to building new connections and learning about Costa Rican culture. None of us knew exactly what this adventure would hold, but we were all thrilled to share in the mutual excitement.
Getting to remote Costa Rica from San José was no small feat. It took a combination of planes and cars to transport everyone and their gear to the surf. The plane from San José to the coast was a tiny 15-seater with barely enough space for a shortboard, so all our longboards had to take a 10-hour van ride through the jungle. The journey itself was an adventure! From the window of our little plane, we admired breathtaking views of the lush jungle below, brimming with excitement. Upon landing on a small airstrip surrounded by greenery, we embarked on another hour-long drive over dirt roads to reach our beautiful jungle villa. It was a long day of travel, but every step was worth it!
Boarding the tiny plane to remote Costa Rica.
Remote Costa Rica is incredibly lush and vibrant. Every morning, we woke up to the sounds of chattering birds, howler monkeys, and rolling waves. To be surrounded by such kind, inspiring, and adventurous people in one of the most beautiful places in the world was a dream come true.
Each morning started before sunrise: the first coffee at 4:30 a.m., loading up the vans and cars with gear, and heading to the surf by 5:30 a.m. With no surf cameras, all the reports were word of mouth—a testament to the strong community relationships SWA has built. Plans were always fluid, adapting to changing weather and conditions, but there was never a dull moment. Most of our days were spent surfing, with the rest filled with yoga, photoshoots, and deep conversations. From dawn until dusk, we were on the move, returning to the villa each evening with tired muscles and happy hearts.
Surfing in remote Costa Rica felt like a surfer’s Disneyland. We experienced everything from minute-long, peeling lefts to colossal waves that made us feel like we were starring in a surf edit. Watching Jo and Leah tackle double-overhead waves was beyond inspiring. Leah’s unique style, combined with Jo’s wisdom and fearless energy at 68, is something we’ll never forget.
Jo Pickett surfing double overhead waves at 68!
Every day brought a new surf break—beach breaks, peeling points, or waves in the gulf reached only by small lanchas (motorboats). We surfed 6–7 hours daily, with a break in between for a “second breakfast” of rice, beans, eggs, and pico. It was incredible to see how everyone blossomed into their own surf styles throughout the week. Team riders Rosie, Mele, and Leah often shared advice and encouragement with Annabelle and Farmata, helping them build confidence and refine their techniques.
The Lancha that took us to the remote break. Check out the longboards on top!
Our "second breakfast" on the beach in between sessions.
One unforgettable moment was watching Leah trade boards with a local woman—a beautiful reminder that surfing is a universal language. It was inspiring to see our team come together from different corners of the world, from Hawaii to New York, each bringing their own style, character, and stories to the shared experience. These moments in the water reminded us that surfing connects us all—no matter who you are or where you come from, the ocean is for everyone, and each wave is yours to paint.
Our contest winners and team riders laughing together on the beach.
Our trip was a reminder that what makes surfing special is being able to share a common language; a language of athleticism, grace, spirit, and artistry. Each person brings something unique to the water, but the joy comes from sharing it with others. At 68, Jo could admire Farmy’s charisma and passion and see how that translates into her surfing. After years of friendship, Rosie and Leah can look back on their careers and be so proud of how far they have come. Mele, with surfing ingrained in her DNA, looked at Annabelle, who only started surfing as an adult, and found inspiration in her authentic love for the ocean. Surfing, and this trip to Costa Rica, reminded us that we are all birds of a feather—different, yet cut from the same cloth.
We can not thank everyone enough for coming together and making this Costa Rica trip one that will last in our memories forever. This was truly the trip of a lifetime, and we came back changed people because of it. We hope to keep spreading the stoke, sharing the water, and learning from each other.
