Surfers for Autism

When I saw Emma and Kaydi had taken place to Surfers for Autism I couldn't not ask them to share their experience with us.

These two girls from Florida have been chosen to represent COSTA bikinis, and now I know why. They're such beautiful girls inside and out and sources of inspiration for all of us.

"Surfers for Autism is an amazing, non-profit organization providing children with special needs and their families a fun, and always life-changing day at the beach for everyone involved. Volunteers, and our extremely generous sponsors, love coming out to spend a day with kids and young adults from all ranges of the spectrum in a beautiful, judgment free environment. Through the activities of surfing and stand up paddleboarding, the kids use every aspect of the human body and mind. They practice their gross motor skills as volunteers teach them how to paddle, pop up, and have them riding waves like a pro by the end of the day. The children are exposed to new faces and new environmental conditions every time they go out for a session, greatly expanding their social-emotional domain. Our goal for the day is to help the kids make a breakthrough, out of their comfort zone. There is nothing that comes close to the happiness we experience when seeing the smile on a child’s face the first time they’re lifted and carried by the sea. 

I have been a volunteer for Surfers for Autism for over two years now, and I can say that there’s no better way to spend a weekend than with this amazing group of people. I learn so much from the participants, such as how to let go of troubles, and just enjoy the world around you. Most of all, they teach me how to trust. They let themselves be lead into one of the harshest environments on the planet, by strangers, and trust them with their lives. They understand that we are all there for a common purpose: to grow and improve ourselves, physically and emotionally. Many children with autism are non-verbal, and some are deaf. For this reason, I have been studying American Sign Language for three years now to be able to communicate with them. I am now fluent, and it warms my heart to know that I can talk to those who’s world is made smaller by lack of non-verbal communication. I feel like it is my job to open up a whole new world to these children. SFA is a great opportunity for people of all ages, abilities, exceptionalities, cultures, and skills to have fun and make a difference in each other’s lives."

(Kaydi Archer)

"Surfers for Autism has been apart of my life since the year of 2010. My first time volunteering was at my home break Stuart Beach. My life changed when I began working with these kids to help them stand up on a surf board. This was a remarkable feeling for me. Bonding with these kids that have the same love for the ocean as me has been a great experience. Kids that have autism are no different from other people. Having them experience new things like surfing can make them open up to others. There has been times where a non verbal child has spoke to their parents for the first time after surfing at these events. After having a surf session, that child came out of the water smiling and told his parents he loved them. Having these experiences made my heart open up to these kids and their surfing.

It's absolutely life changing to see them progress so fast when their out in the water surfing.  One of my greatest experience's was with my friend Kaydi. We were teaching a deaf boy named Ej how to use the paddle in order to paddle board. He got so excited, he was yelling and had the biggest smile on his face while splashing the paddle into the water. Ej didn’t want to let go of the paddle. He was having such a great time! I feel so blessed to have had such special moments with these kids at Surfers for Autism."

(Emma Fillmore)

Thank you girls for sharing your stories with us. You are amazing!

If you want to learn more about Kaydi and Emma, you can find their profile on www.costabikinis.com

You can get in touch with Surfers for Autism visiting their website or their facebook page

Credits // Author: Marta Tomasini + Kaydi Archer and Emma Fillmore, Swimwear c/o COSTA bikinis

Follow your dreams - Itw to COSTAbikinis designer

You already know her brand and you already saw me wearing her amazing bikinis, but behind COSTAbikinis there's more than a talented designer making swimwear for active girls.

This is Patricia and today she will be answering a few questions about following her dreams and the fun yet hard job of a designer.

Surfragette: Hi Patricia! I am so excited to have you here! Introduce yourself to Surfragette's readers.

Patricia: Hi! Im Patricia Fuentes from the energetic and vibrant city of Madrid in Spain. Like my city, I'm very active, creative and social. My background is bussiness administration and turism and my two passions are traveling and surfing. When I arrived to Puerto Rico, in one of my several visits, this became a new lifestyle for me and I started to surf with my local friends. That made me think I wanted to be working close to the nature, not in an office anymore.

Surftrip in the island of enchantment

It's freezing cold in Europe! If you're not one of the girls who love to shred the mountains and to feel the snow falling while gently caressing your face, maybe you need a vacation. And if you're dreaming about taking a walk on white sand beaches, while sipping your piña colada after a surf sesh in warm clear water, that's for you!

Surf, salsa, adventures, Caribbean, waterfalls, lots of fun, nature paradise, warm weather... What else? All in Puerto Rico!

COSTA bikinis

Hi everyone! I am so happy and excited to be officially part of COSTA bikinis team! COSTA isn't just about cute girls in cute bikinis. It's a community of friends who share the same passion for surf, nature and adventure! I am so proud to be a COSTA ambassador, but most of all to contribute to make all of this brand's hard work happen and grow.

This is me wearing Costa Blanca top + Costa del Sol
bottom in reversible violet/butterfly

COSTA bikinis introduces a new concept in surfbikinis. They are building a community of female surfers who love adventure and are committed with nature. 

These bikinis are special for surf, kite, sup, bodyboard and all watersports and they are tested by their professional surf team and ambassadors around the world. Its a surf brand by surfer girls for surfer girls, between us!

Kaydi Archer from Florida surfing in Puerto Rico. She works as volunteer in
Surfers for Autism and competing for COSTA bikinis

COSTA bikinis loves nature...

This new line of swimwear is created to stays in all surf conditions keeping a sexy style in the line up. All designs are reversibles and with the mix and match concept. A product 100% from Spain, they are proud to be ethical and they use just Spanish fabrics.

Founded by worldwide traveler, passionate surfer and nature lover, Patricia Fuentes, COSTA bikinis is inspired by all her tropical surftrips and her time living in the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. 

Using her natural good taste, she designed this collection to make happy COSTA surfgirls with functional and stunning bikinis, keeping all in its place and looking beautiful at the same time.  

#COSTAlifestyle means to explore the world searching for waves and wind, respecting Nature and sharing adventures between us! Jon us! 

Kaydi Archer wearing COSTA blanca reversible black/pink

Thank you so much Patricia and COSTA bikinis!

Keep an eye on it!

You'll hear more from these girls......

M.