We were worried that participants wouldn't make the trek to be a part of our vision, but all we could do was follow our hearts and cross our fingers. For us, the most rewarding life experiences have all evolved from the decisions that made us feel uncertain.
Born out of the dream to connect like-minded women to create, collaborate, and inspire each other, twin sisters Rebecca Amber and Lindsay Sara created the photography, surf, and yoga retreat company, Nordic Retreats. Through their shared passion for creativity and travel, they facilitate retreats in remote locations, offering an outlet for women to come together and grow as individuals and professionals.
In June of 2019, Lindsay and Rebecca hosted a retreat on Vancouver Island, British Columbia (situated in the traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations), where they grew up. We asked Rebecca and Lindsay to share with us their most memorable moments of this Tofino retreat, the hurdles that they've overcome since launching their business, and the one thing that they never travel without.
What is one of the most memorable experiences you had during your Tofino retreat?
We’ve hosted retreats all around the world, but hosting a retreat in Tofino, on Vancouver Island was very special for us. The island marks the birthplace and roots of our creativity and has shaped who we are today. One of the most memorable moments from this retreat was just the feeling of being on the island. Tofino has this magical energy where you feel like you are on the edge of the world. It holds a special place in our hearts, and it was such an honour to be doing what we love in a place we can call home.
Your key components are surf, stretch, and shoot. What do these practices mean to you?
Yoga, surfing, and photography are what inspire us. They make us feel most alive and fuel our creative energy. We grew up in the water, and we love sharing it through surfing. It offers the opportunity to disconnect completely. Yoga, on the other hand, grounds us. By starting each day with a gentle practice, we invite nourishment into our mornings. These practices open the door to creativity and encourage us to stay present and curious as we learn photography.
What is one of the biggest challenges you had to overcome to create this retreat series?
The biggest hurdle for us was the logistics of getting all the girls out to Stad, Norway, where we hosted our first-ever retreat. Stad is so unique because of its remoteness and the fjords are so powerful. Since it's so far out, it was quite a mission, and we were hesitant that participants wouldn't make the trek to be a part of our vision. But, all we could do was follow our hearts and cross our fingers. We truly believed in the experience we were creating, and we knew it would be worth it. Since then, we've hosted three sold-out retreats in Stad. For us, the most rewarding life experiences have all evolved from the decisions that made us feel uncertain. We've found that it's always worth it in the end.
What’s one thing you never travel without?
We never travel without our cameras! We’ve been fortunate enough to create a career where travel is our profession. I can’t remember the last time I went traveling when it wasn’t for a job. Our motto is “choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” ■
