Between her recent travels abroad and surf camp coaching at home, we finally had a chance to catch up with local surfer, surf instructor and style queen, Marin Gerrish. Here she shares insight into life as a female surfer in her hometown of Pavones, Costa Rica and relays a few hot tips for new surfers and Dkoko girlies around the world.
In Costa Rica, we know you best for your unique surf style as a Pavones local. Can you tell us a bit about what it was like growing up in Pavones and how you got into surfing?
Growing up in Pavones was fun. I think it’s honestly the ideal life for a kid. I grew up riding my horse to school and playing in the river all day. What else could I ask for? Surfing was something I was kinda always around. The love for it came later though, when I was around about 11 years old. Until then, I was much more of a river rat. When I was 11, I really got into it with a good friend of mine. She was always the only little girl surfing, so she was dying to have a buddy in the lineup. She eventually ended up getting sponsored by Roxy and bribing me with cute clothes and bikinis. One day she came to me with a chart saying if I get X amount of waves she will give me a bikini, or if I surf this many hours, she will give me a shirt. It was pretty genius, really. I mean, I will still surf for a bikini. After a few weeks I was hooked, and I haven’t stopped surfing since.
How do you describe your surfing style, and what are your favorite types of waves and maneuvers?
I feel like my surf style is always changing. Learning new things, surfing new waves, trying new boards. Over the past few years, I have started to longboard which has been a fun new journey for me. Overall, I am a short board girlie at heart for sure. I really just love to be in the ocean with pumping waves and fun friends.
If you are happy and having a good time, then you are doing something right."
Do you have any special surf rituals or pre-surf workouts that you can share with us?
Right now the only surf ritual I have is downing some electrolytes while checking the surf and putting on a heavy amount of sunscreen.
What do you love most about living and surfing in southern Costa Rica?
That one’s easy. The wave is perfect. There is nothing I would rather be doing than surfing The Wall all day when it’s going off. The shape, the speed, the friends. The feeling of getting out of the water after an epic wave is irreplaceable. This area is also just so rich in beautiful wildlife and really special people.
When you're not surfing, what are some of your other passions in life?
I love to spend time at the river, spend time with friends, and recently I’ve been spending time trying to get to know my new puppy and train him. The training part hasn’t been easy, but it’s a work in progress.
marin
What are your top surfing pro-tips to share with other women surfers?
Wherever you are on your surfing journey, just remember that a big reason we are out there is to have fun and enjoy ourselves. It can be easy to get frustrated or wish we were doing things differently in the water. If you are happy and having a good time, then you are doing something right.
What do you love most about being a part of the Dkoko family? What are some of your favorite bikini and beachwear designs?
I love being part of the Dkoko fam! I am always stoked to help other women find Dkoko. I’m proud to be part of a company that really makes quality items that hold up in the surf but also look so cute on so many bodies. It’s also super cool that it is a women-owned local company. My favorite Dkoko designs are the Manzanillo Bottoms, the Pavones Top, and the Balance Shorts. SO GOOD!!
What's next for you in your surfing life and life in general?
What's next for me? That's a great question. Always trying to figure that out. For now, I am in Pavones surfing, working, and spending time with people I love. I hope to one day be able to open up some kind of little boutique.
