When traveling to Mexico for all day SUP adventures, there are a few things you can’t leave home without!

We highly recommend plenty of Roxy Outdoor Fitness gear, so you know your suits will be comfortable and stay on during long hours on the water. Bright, festive colors are here just in time for summer, and the Hot Competition Shorts are fun and cheeky for any season . The GoPro camera is ideal for snapping SUP surfing or yoga videos anywhere.  And of course, never leave home without your favorite paddle and passport in hand!

We caught up with Let The Sea Set You Free winner and Roxy Outdoor Fitness ambassador after her recent trip back down to beautiful Sayulita, Mexico. She went down south to continue her community work with Project Save Our Surf and attend the Roxy Stand Up Paddle in her and Longboard competition where she met up with fellow team riders Izzi Gomez, Vanina Walsh and Chloe Calmon and Jen Smith.

In Katie’s words:

Although we were all of different ages, from different places, and with different ways of surfing from shortboarding to longboarding to SUPing, we all immediately clicked. As soon as we anchored at the surf spot Burros, all in our Roxy bikinis, we jumped out of the boat into the pool warm water and paddled into the line up. Our local female water photographer flippered behind us capturing our snaps and smiles on every wave. After we sat by the crystal clear waters and stuffed ourselves with fresh shrimp ceviche, guacamole, and chips. Nothing tops Mexican food post-surf, except that post-scarfing siesta. Sleepily we drove back to Sayulita, stopping in San Pancho for a quick surf check and street vendor shopping. Then we performed a minor Cola-Loca surgery to the fin cut on my ankle (AKA we super glued it shut!).

The next day, I was reunited with Coste Verde International Elementary School. I was stoked to see my mural, students from last summer, and the progress the school had made with Project Save Our Surf’s contributions. We had blast reading to them from the books that PSOS brought to donate. After that the school, PSOS crew and I, built a playground by reusing old tires. To step it up from observation to interaction, provides a whole other level of learning and experience.

After a long, rewarding day at the school, I raced off to join the Roxy girls for some autograph signings at Puerto Vallarta’s two Roxy stores. We were then let loose to raid the store and shop till we dropped, literally. We all passed out on the hour drive back to Sayulita and barely made it to the PSOS benefit dinner at a beautiful estate tucked away on a private beach past the point.

In the morning, we donned our favorite new Roxy Outdoor Fitness swimsuits for a shoot at the beach cabanas. We hung in hammocks, sipped from fresh coconuts, and sat in the sand while snapping shots. After, I walked down to the surf contest to participate in a PSOS beach cleanup. I shared a trash bag with a few little Roxy-loving surfer girls I had met at the school last summer. It was awesome connecting with the kids and showing them what a difference we could make.

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Summertime is just around the corner, and what better way to get in shape for bikini season than to be out on the water, paddle in hand?! The travel bug hit us just in time for Roxy Outdoor Fitness Athlete Gillian Gibree’s SUP Yoga Retreat in Punta de Mita, Mexico.

Here are 5 reasons to jet set on your next adventure on the water:

1. Bring on the colors. Get festive and make your workout fun with bright, summer tops. We love the stripes on the new Onshore top.

2.  Get your feet wet. Go somewhere new, and try something different.

4. Soak it all in. Our favorite waterproof pieces are lightweight for packing, and quick to dry.

4. Explore more. Taste new flavors and walk along the way to boost your cardio.

5. Meet new friends. Make your workouts more enjoyable with a fitness buddy.

As fitness and adventure fiends, Roxy girls continue to push boundaries and exceed limits. But it’s important to find a balance, listen to our bodies, and honor it without pushing it over the edge. Whether it’s trailblazing through the woods or taking on beach bootcamps, our muscles experience a tremendous amount of pounding, shortening, and tightening. When we do not restore, elongate, and stretch these muscles, imbalances and injuries occur. Yoga is a powerful tool that will not only help us develop better body awareness and balance, but it’s the best way to prevent muscle overuse and injury.

Roxy professional surfer and athlete Amy Murphree has had scoliosis most of her life, which has challenged her throughout her surfing and training career. Her tools for surfing success and injury prevention include yoga and stretching on a daily basis.

Checkout Amy’s Roxy Outdoor Fitness tips for yoga success:

Just breathe.

Breathing is one of the most important parts of yoga. Remember to consciously breathe into your muscles as you stretch into each pose. Try the four-count breathing- four counts breathe in, hold for four counts, four counts breathe out. Feel your belly rise and fill your lungs at the same time for a deeper breath. If you can, set aside 30 minutes a day to be calm, find your center and clear your mind.

Anyone can do it.

Yoga isn’t a chore as some people think. You don’t have to be Gumby to get a good stretch in. Downward dog is an easy pose that is great for lengthening your hamstrings and extending your vertebrae. Simply plant your hands on the ground while pressing your hips high and yearning your heels for the mat.

You can add lifting one leg high up behind you keeping your hips squared to the mat for three-legged dog. Breathe in to lift, and out to lengthen while releasing your shoulders down from your ears. This will deepen the stretch and sets you up to move into half pigeon or runners lunge, which are great hip-openers.

Once you start making yoga or even just a few quick stretches a habitual part of your day you will notice an increasingly heightened state of awareness as well as a nice reward for all the hard work you put into your outdoor workouts.

Not only does my practice elongate my muscles and strengthen my core, but I also find inspiration and peace, which puts a positive spin on my day. Practicing in great gear makes it even better. Roxy’s new Outdoor Fitness line allows us as athletes to have the best equipment available to perform in with style and ease.

As the days draw out and get warmer, why not take the long road to the beach? Roxy ambassador and blogger Devon DeMint of ‘The Mermaid Chronicles” looks for diverse trails to bike because the various terrains help work a variety of muscles. Plus, surf spots and beaches that require an effort to get to are usually less crowded and lead to more quality time with Mother Nature.

Here’s how to prepare for taking the road less traveled:

1.    Wear layers.  I Always include a quick dry bikini, form fitting pants that won’t get caught in my bike chain, a tank top like the Perfectly Seamless Tank with built in ventilation, flexible boardshorts and a top with long sleeves just in case.

2.    Pack smart. Bring only what you think you’ll need and distribute the weight of these items evenly to balance out the load. Bring a wet bag to carry your sea-soaked suit after you get out of the ocean.

3.    Plan ahead. Know what to expect before you get there. Of course, Mother Nature likes to keep us on our toes us, but checking surf and weather forecasts before you go will help you know what you’re in for.

4.   Be resourceful and utilize the environment around you. Driftwood found on the beach makes for a great shelter or changing room!

5.    Don’t forget food, water and sunscreen! When I’m packing a snack, I love to bring something light and high in vitamins like kale chips.

Here’s a basic recipe you might want to try:

Kale Chips

Serves: 2

• 1 bunch of kale, washed and dried well
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• A few pinches of Himalayan sea salt
• Preheat oven to 300º F.
• Tear large pieces of Kale off the center rib. Place the leaves in a bowl, drizzle with olive oil and toss until coated.
• Place the kale on 2 baking sheets. Arrange it in a single layer and sprinkle with sea salt.
• Place in the oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until crisp. Place in a container you can easily seal and transport in your pack. Enjoy!

Photo credit: Scott DeMint | themermaidchronicles.com

Earth Day is on April 22nd, and we’d like to celebrate it by exercising in nature and caring for the earth the way it has taken care of us! Running sprints on the beach while picking up trash not only cleans the beaches, but it helps the sea life like pelicans and sandpipers have a cleaner, safer home. It’s not their fault there’s a hair clip and a lobster trap line on their dinner table.

Here’s a fun Earth minded workout routine:

Start by picking two trashcans on the beach that are at least 100 yards apart from one another. Sprint all out from one trashcan to the other. On the way back, do a casual jog, giving yourself time to recover while bending down to pick up any pieces of trash you see on your way. This will help the beach and your beach body. The squatting motion you adopt while picking up trash will help work practically every muscle and the sprints are a great cardio exercise that will benefit your heart and give you noticeable results in a shorter amount of time than long distance running would. Once you arrive back at the first trashcan, dump your trash. Repeat this at least five times until you are exhausted and the beach looks clean.

Once you’re done, cool off with a swim, do some cool down stretches and maybe add in a few crunches while lying in the sand, if you feel like taking on a full body workout.

Earth Day Beach Sprint Gear:

Roxy Outdoor Fitness Ambassador and blogger for The Mermaid Chronicles Devon DeMint likes to take on her Earth Day workout in form-fitting clothing like the Hot Competition Shorts and the Dawn Run Tee, because they won’t slow her down. If you’re planning on going for a swim, Devon recommends wearing a sports bra that can double as a bathing suit and is quick to dry.

Photos courtesy of Scott DeMint.

Looking to find a fitness workout that you can stick with? Then get your paddle on! No matter what sport you’re into, or what level you are at, there is a modality of SUP that you can enjoy…surfing, whitewater, racing, yoga, downwind, or just exploring! The great thing about SUP is it can be done anywhere there’s water—lakes, oceans, rivers, marshes, or bays!

Being on an unstable surface is very effective for building better balance and coordination, andfires different muscle groups you may have never worked before (I commonly hear about sore foot muscles after teaching a beginner SUP lesson!).  The rotational movements target the obliques and spinal rotators, and with the correct paddle technique, you should feel your abs burning! The pulling motion from paddling helps develop the upper back and shoulder muscles, which is great cross training. There are different kinds of results you can achieve from the sport of SUP as well—sprints will help build speed, and long slow paddles can be great for fat metabolism and building endurance. At either intensity, you’re getting a fun and exciting cardio workout while experiencing nature!

Some of my favorite ways to use paddleboarding to stay fit are SUP surfing, yoga, and exploring the beautiful California coastline. The Roxy Outdoor Fitness Ace bikini is perfect for all three! It’s form fitting, and stays on while I’m pushing the limits on my board.

Check out the photos from Gillian Gibree‘s latest California adventure, and join her on her next adventure to Mexico! Gillian will be offering a training for future SUP yoga teachers next month on a Mexico Retreat April 28-May 1! The health benefits and simplicity of SUP and yoga make them the perfect match. SUP is the fastest growing sport in the world—what better way to learn something new than to learn from the best in beautiful Punta Mita, Mexico? Learn more here.

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Roxy Outdoor Fitness athlete and professional rock climber Sierra Blair-Coyle takes us through the ropes of rock climbing, and even explains how to stay safe without a rope! Knowing the proper terms in rock climbing is always important so you can communicate with your fellow climbers, stay safe, and have fun.

Beta: advice on how to climb a problem/route

Boulder problem: what you climb when you boulder

Boulder(ing) : climbing without a rope above a crash pad

Crash pad: what you fall on when bouldering, similar to a small mattress

Crux: the hardest part of a problem/route

Flash: completing a problem/route on the first attempt with beta

Harness: Safety device used in rope climbing

Take a Hike. And a Lap.
Roxy surfer Monyca Byrne Wickey takes us on her favorite hike, packs her Roxy Outdoor Fitness Lapped one piece, her Go Pro camera, and shares her secret to squeezing in double workouts and staying in shape when the waves are flat!

Hiking is one of the best outdoor workouts, because it’s not boring. There’s always tons of great scenery, you can go with friends, and often here in Hawaii, it leads to a waterfall.

There are so many waterfall hikes on the island, but my favorite one is a 2-miler that really gets your blood pumping, and there’s beautiful falls on the way to the top, along with banyan trees. I love running into banyan trees, because they remind me of being a little kid climbing all over them like a monkey. I also get excited about finding a fruit tree on my hikes—guavas are very common to find growing in the wild where I live.

The best part of this hike are the natural ponds I get to cool off and jump in! I love rock jumping, and gives me something to look forward to at the top. Plus, I get to double my workout with a quick swim. A couple tips for starters—when jumping into natural ponds, make sure they are deep. Always go places suggested by locals, and it’s a good idea to start the jump from a lower platform and work your way up for comfort.

When it comes to being prepared, a backpack is the most convenient thing to haul your hiking necessities. I like to pack a towel, water, dried fruits, sunscreen, and a granola bar. Leave your valuables at home, because you never know when you’ll be ditching your backpack for a waterfall jump! And for my waterfall jumps, my personal pick of swimwear is Roxy’s new Outdoor Fitness Lapped one piece. It fits like a glove, is super comfortable, and it stays on perfectly, especially when I’m jumping from high platforms. A comfortable full suit is an essential to pack for a waterfall hike. Unless of course you’re in Oregon or Washington!

For those Outdoor Fitness enthusiasts that don’t have the falls of Maui, check out our favorite waterfall hikes all across the U.S. and get out there!

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Outdoor Fitness Enthusiast Jeanette Ortiz tells us how to get the most out of our outdoor adventure and still enjoy the scenery.

I hate doing stadiums. Granted, it is one of the best workouts, combining cardio and strength training, but running up and down stairs can just be boring! That’s why I like to take it outdoors and tackle the Chumash Trail off the Pacific Coast Highway just north of Malibu. This trail is about a mile and a half straight up hill, making it perfect for natural “stadiums.” It’s it a great hike to do, as you can almost see all the way up to Santa Barbara from the peak. Wanting to get the most out of my workout, I do high intensity intervals, combining short stints of walking, jogging, and sprinting to keep it interesting and challenging.

Here’s a great way to break down uphill intervals:
-30 Seconds at a brisk walk
-20 Seconds at a jog
-10 Seconds sprint

After intense workouts like this one, it’s important to refuel properly. Leafy greens are an absolute necessity to vibrant health, and we simply do not eat enough of them—and the solution to making them tasty lies in blending them with fruit! Here’s an energy-boosting green smoothie to recharge:

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