When you visit us in Nicaragua, we like to joke that you immediately become part of our family. But in all honesty, it’s not so far from the truth. We are a tight-knit group down here, living side-by-side and traveling the world together, but we welcome every newcomer with open arms. Building lasting connections with our guests and our staff is the most important part of what we do, so we thought we’d take a moment to introduce you to some of the magical people that make the Rise Up world go round.
The surf guides
First up, we’d like you all to meet our incredible team of surf instructors. Day in and day out, they’re dedicated to making sure that you have the best time, not only in the water, but in and around the camp as well. If you’ve been with us before, then you’re no stranger to how these boys operate.
They run a tight ship and are serious about coaching you with strong attention to technique, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know how to have a good time. You’ll probably be in fits of laughter your entire week of lessons, and when it’s time to lay down the surfboards, you’ll find that the guys are always willing to take you on your next adventure, whether it be horse riding, volcano boarding, boat trips, fishing, or salsa dancing.
We only hire the best staff, and that doesn’t just mean that they have stellar resume’s or that they can get tubed – that all goes without saying – but that they are genuine and kind and willing to go above and beyond. And that’s what you’ll find with this team.
The kitchen crew
Lead by our innovative head chef, Charlotte Mason, our kitchen staff are literally the bread and butter of this place. Without them, Rise Up wouldn’t hold half the appeal. Just ask anyone that’s been here before, their cooking is second to none. And somehow, they just keep it coming, day after day and it’s always something new and inspired.
They’re proud of what they do and they’re serious about providing our guests with a culinary journey. Get familiar with their faces now so that you know who to suck up to for seconds when you visit us at Rise Up.
The yogi
When you’re sore and tired after a day of paddling, this is the face that you want to find. With a special emphasis on teaching poses that will help to release any tightness you develop surfing, not only will Emilie help you to find more relaxation on your vacation, but she’ll help you to progress as a surfer too. Because the more relaxed you are on ground, the more relaxed you’ll be out in the water.
The camp staff
Whether they’re scrubbing your rooms until they shine, weeding our gardens until they grow, or keeping watch over the camp at night, our friendly camp staff will always make the time to stop and have a chat or (if there’s a language barrier) share a laugh or a smile at the very least.
Our cleaning and maintenance crew are made up of all local staff and without them, Rise Up wouldn’t exist. They show up to work every day with a smile on their face and bring such a unique energy to the place. Get to know them all before you come so that when you’re wandering our beautiful grounds, you can give them a wave and know how essential they are to our operation.
The originators
The one’s you’ve likely already communicated with if you’re serious about visiting us at any of our Rise Up locations. Phil founded the retreat some 10 years ago in a different part of Nicaragua and has since been joined by his partner, Corina, in the management of the camp and the growth of the Rise Up On The Road Adventures.
They work hard to create an inclusive and fun environment for all of their guests and the familia. They’re the glue keeping the whole operation together. And least we forget their greatest contribution to the Rise Up familia so far, their beautiful daughter Kaya who is a shining ray of light for anyone that has the pleasure of meeting her.
So, been thinking about joining the familia? Well, what are you waiting for? We believe that friends are just family that you choose. So choose the Rise Up familia for your next getaway and come be a part of something that we hope will last a lifetime.
