The Girls Surf Trip You Wish You Were On

THE GIRLS TRIP YOU WISH YOU WENT ON

The kind of trip you wish you could bottle up and keep forever. Picture this, 12 girls, 12 days, one boat and endless perfection around every corner.
I woke up on a random Friday morning in February from a text message from my friend Kellie. A screenshot from the one and only Cait Miers asking if she and a friend (me) were available from the 13th- 24th of March in regards to a giveaway that we had entered the week prior. Naturally, I jumped up out of bed and replied with the only response I could come up with at the time, “NO F*ING WAY”. An hour later, I got another message from Kellie saying that we had won the trip and I’m pretty sure I cried. Just over a month later, Kellie and I were sailing around the Mentawis with the sickest group of chicks, getting flogged on the reef and catching the best ways of our lives.

When you’re on a boat with 11 other like-minded Surfer Girls, it is very hard to have a bad time. It is even harder to pull off a wave that is out of your comfort zone when you have a lineup full of chicks cheering you on and pushing you to improve your surfing. And when you have the amazing Cait Miers and Andy Kovszon finding the best spot for the day you cannot help but have the most fun and memorable time. I don’t think I’ve ever full belly laughed as much as I have with those girls. From the first day meeting everyone, I knew we would all get along very well. After some Instagram deep dives, some of us even had mutual friends. You could hear us coming from a mile away with all the “WOOOO”s and “GOOOOO”s coming from our boat and in the lineup. I’m sure all the guys on the other boats loved it. Most of the girls were travelling by themselves and didn’t know anyone which made it all the more exciting, feeling free and comfortable to connect and build friendships for life. Getting along so well with so many new people made having our daily post surf Bintangs very enjoyable.

The trip was booked and organised by Cait and Andy using Sibon Charters. I will say, I was shocked by the size of the boat as it was massive and thankfully air-conditioned. A typical morning usually look like this; Waking up at a new surf sport and watching the sunrise while having fruit and coffee, then suiting up and sunscreening before paddling out to a half empty all girls lineup, coming in after a couple hours of surfing and requesting the chef Dante To make you his famous breakkie burrito, then watching and cheering on the girls from the boat while eating your burrito. Literally what dreams are made of. All of us girls agreed that we would have booked the trip sooner if we knew how good the food was going to be. Getting whatever is requested for breakfast along with a buffet style set up for lunch AND dinner AND also having dessert? Sign me up. My favourite was a cookies and cream cheesecake we had for dessert one of the last nights. There was endless Bintangs to grab whenever you wanted and always snacks around. I’m pretty sure we went through a box of KitKats every day. The crew were absolutely amazing and loved a chat.

My favourite wave was definitely a left that ran for days. It was solid, uncrowded and looked like a painting. Without a doubt got the best waves of my life during my surf’s out there. The water was like glass and the perfect temperature that kept you cool from the Mentawai sun but just warm enough that you never wanted to get out.  One of the most memorable moments of the trip was during one of the last days, obviously during sunset. I, along with a few other girls were surfing a small right, when I see one of the dingys from our boat loaded with a speaker, an esky full of drinks and the rest of the girls headed our way. If you were wondering what it is like to surf at Sunset while listening to music with your own cheer squad, it’s pretty awesome. There was dancing in the boat and in the lineup. Everyone, even the guys who weren’t part of our boat were loving it. There is a certain magic about that place that you can never really grasp until you experience it for yourself.

When we weren’t surfing, there was always something to do. I loved a post surf afternoon nap to prepare for the rest of the day. I remember waking up and going out onto the deck to find some of the girls skurfing, some of the girls tanning and the rest having a dance party. What a way to wake up. No matter what everyone was doing, there was always music being played. We especially loved a Coldplay singalong. One day we were going from one spot to another and dancing on the front of the boat, when a pod of dolphins decided to join us and swam along the front of the boat as if they were dancing with us. Pure Ments magic. There were Photo shoots, cocktails at local resorts and a Twilight movie marathon. There really is never a dull moment and always something to do. However, if you just wanted to relax and tan that was okay too!

When I first mentioned Sonny Fragrance Oil to the girls, The first thing they all said was “OMG I want to try some”, but made them wait until I could film their first reactions and I’m so glad I did! They said it perfectly summed up the whole vibe of the trip and matched the Mentawai surf trip lifestyle. It evoke a certain nostalgia of being in and around the ocean all day, each person saying the exact same thing “it smells like summer!“. I left a bottle on one of the tables for everyone to use and it was almost gone by the end of the trip. The girls would put it on after their surfs or showers to make the feeling of an incredible  day last longer. Each time it was used, it was met with a “UGH Smells so good“. The perfect touch after a perfect day.

The experience was truly one that you go to sleep dreaming about every night. Each laugh, every wave and inside joke is permanently etched into my mind forever. I would do anything to be able to experience it for the very first time all over again. Sonny Fragrance Oil Helps take me back there. To the sparkly and crystal clear water, perfection that rolls in from the horizon and meets you on tropical islands, salty and sun-kissed faces, laughs that hurt and memories that last a lifetime.

By Ellie Nadalin

Q&A with Josie Prendergast

Where were you born and raised?

I was born in Siargao Island. My mum is from there and dad from Australia. We moved to Byron bay when I was 4 and have been going back and fourth between two homes since.

When and how did you start surfing?

I caught my first wave at Broken Head when I was around 7. I started really getting into surfing at the age of 11 though. I was skating a lot and riding second hand smaller boards before getting on to a log.

Where is your go-to surf spot?

The Pass, Byron Bay, NSW, Australia

Please tell us about the surfboard you usually ride. Brand, shaper, dimensions, fin setup, etc.

If I’m logging, I’m on my Mctavish 9’5 nose rider. Otherwise on my 7’8 rincon but have been obsessed with my 7’8 super stock.  

Where are the surf spots you want to visit in the future that you've never been to?

Mexico and Africa.

Whats your favourite thing about Sonny Fragrance oil?

Smells like Summer!

Q&A with Ellie Nadalin

We catch up with surfer and face of Sonny Ellie Nadalin.

Home town?

Newcastle, NSW

Top 5 Must-Have Items for your Beach Bag?

Sonny Fragrance oil! Sunbum sunscreen, Cute black sunnies, lots of water, speaker, tanning oil.

What’s your fav Summer go to meal?

Açai with lots of Nutella and fruit 

Favourite Sunscreen?

Sunbum face stick is the best and easiest go to 

Favourite Summer Movie ever?

10 things I hate about you

Your modelling Tips and Tricks?

Be confident! Be comfortable in your own skin and talk to the photographer. 

Summer Fashion Trends you’re loving?

Little back sunnies 

Favourite surf spots? 

The pass, Byron bay or just straight out at home in Newcastle. 

Summer Reading List?

Malibu rising

What's your favourite summer memory from your childhood? 

Going to Scott’s head NSW in the holidays when I was little or Blueys beach with the cousins over new years. 

What summer destinations are on your travel bucket list

Anywhere in Indo or Europe 

How old were you when you started surfing? And how did you first get into it?

I was 9 when I started surfing. I wanted to start because of a Barbie movie I was obsessed with called “Barbie and a mermaid tale.”

Q&A with Ash Penfold

Ash Penfold is a talented make up artist who has worked with many big name brands. We were lucky enough to have her apart of the team for the first campaign shoot for Sonny Fragrance oil.

What are your favorite summer products?

I love a really good body suncreen, my favourite is from vacation inc, at the moment, a cream blush for a beautiful flushed healthy glow, i love the Fenty cream blush in the shade Big Melons and of course a summer scent to bring all the summer feels.

Favourite shoot locations?

Ive been so lucky to go some amazing locations around the world and i think my favourite has to Tahiti. There is nothing like it.

How can someone achieve a natural, dewy summer glow 'no-makeup' look?

Skin prep. It makes all the products sit beautifully on the skin making a no makeup look just look so healthy and effortless. I love using the Embryolisse moisturiser and Base Camp Beauty gua sha first up then then use all cream products using your fingers to look the most natural.

Are there specific color palettes that work best for summer?

I love a bright poppy colour palette for summer. Think bronze tanned skin, watermelon coloured cheeks and juicy cherry lips. 

Favorite Face spf?

I always love the ultraviolette sunscreens for the face, they sit so beautifully under makeup.