“BnBs was an invigorating weekend for me. It brought a vibrant sense of community to a place I often experience on my own. I learned from all the women, who all have so much to offer, and felt safe to push my surfing skills alongside them. I am so grateful to have experienced a community-driven weekend with some rad gals!” - Jamie, Participant

“I get very anxious surfing in big crowds and feel as though I'm in the way and being judged by better surfers. This trip has helped me to gain confidence and get out of my head when I surf and provided a supportive and nurturing environment for me to improve my skills. Surfing with other women of all skill levels was so fun and inspiring and I love that Bitches 'n Barrels has created a space for us to surf and progress together! On top of the rad vibes in the water, BnBs was super organized, cooked us the most delicious dinners and created lasting memories in and out of the water. Can't wait to try a level 2 trip next season! - Anonymous Review

“This weekend was a combination of inspiring people and inspiring landscapes. Never in my life have I met such a fearless group of ladies who are so dedicated to creating positive relationships between each other and the natural environment. I am stoked to call these rad ladies my friends and I am so excited to hear more stories of their badass adventures since I saw them last…I know they’re up to something good!” - Danielle, Participant

“Where land and water meet is a magical and humbling place. It is unpredictable, exciting, and beautiful. The sea can also be intimidating (and rightfully so), so whether you’re playing in the whitewash or getting barrelled, it is so awesome to have a crew of badass women by your side to help you conquer the ocean in all conditions. I look forward to these weekends so much as I learn from the ocean as well as from the Bitches ‘n Barrels crew, a diverse group of females that have come along from very different walks of life” - Chelsea, many-time Participant (and now Trip Lead and Board Member!)

“There is something truly special about getting out there with a bunch of women for an adventure. I love how when you get a bunch of ladies together, it is not long after the initial handshake or hug that everyone is talking about what they’re most passionate about. Thanks Bitches ‘n Barrels for bringing us together.” - Nicole, Participant

“Having just finished my master’s degree, I was looking for wasys to help deal with the stress and isolation that came with finishing my thesis. The trip was incredible and was even more than I was hoping for! The surfing was incredible (I don’t think I stopped smiling except when I bailed), but the women were even more incredible. I felt so comfortable immediately, and I wanted to talk to and be friends with everyone and to hear their stories. The trip reminded me how awesome women, nature, and surfing are, and I am stoked I was a part of this awesome trip” - Jessie, Participant

“For someone with a busy mind (and thoughts that come and go as they please), the time I spend in the ocean is when my mind shuts up for a minute and I find some much needed peace in the silence. When I’m in the ocean I find myself fully awake to (and at the mercy of) my surroundings. I’m not overthinking. I’m not hung up on anything. I’m just a small part of something bigger. Then you throw the surfing aspect into the mix…if getting churned inside a wave doesn’t humble you a little, then it wasn’t a big enough wave.” - Amanda, many-time Participant (and now Trip Lead & Board Member!)

“I am pretty claustrophobic. Duck dives are freaky sometimes but being trapped under a wave is a big trigger. The ocean is humbling and often scares me away from working towards my surfing goals. I’ll often take breaks on the beach when the rest of my pals are still surfing. Being with ma bishes on this trip was a lightning bolt of motivation from the divine goddesses up above. Surfing amongst the most badass women who get tossed and rocked but always come out smiling is exactly the inspo I need to get over my fears. If only I could surf with these gals all day every day” - Robyn, Participant

“I went into this weekend with high hopes and expectations; i left knowing I had gotten more out of it than I could have possibly imagined.  Having fairly recently moved out West, I have been in a state of starting over and beginning again for almost a year now, a lonely headspace to be at times.  These ladies reminded me what it feels like to relate to one another on a more meaningful level; to find one's tribe; to be a piece of the pack.  Being the total introvert that I am, I usually feel empty and fried after a social weekend like this, but I left Tofino feeling alive, anew, and with a soul on fire (not to mention with a pile of new pals!).  Connecting around the campfire with these women felt like spending time with old friends; sisters from simpler times.  Learning to surf together only strengthened those bonds we were forming.  I signed up for the salt and the surf but I am slowly seeing that it was never really about either of those things, and I am starting to think that, perhaps, that was the whole point.” - Emily, Participant

“To me it was more of a journey. A journey of self exploring, meeting my fears with courage, discovering new sides of myself, stretching my comfort zones to new waters (literally!), and discovering a new community. A community that is positive, engaging, and supportive. The meeting with the ocean showed me life. The meeting with the ladies showed me joy. Trying to ride the waves showed me rhythm, patience, focus, and connection.” - Rachel, Participant

“Heading into the water with new friends who feel like old friends is the kind of community we are lacking these days. My time with BnBs was straight up good for the soul. Between meals and laughs under our tarp-city site and sessions where you always have a pal around, the weekend was full of much needed PLAY. Also, I had the worst session of my year on our photo shoot day and she still go great shots! That’s skill! Thank you to Madi & Mel for pulling together the tribe. It makes this Island feel more like home.” - Sydney, Participant

“Nothing is as deeply healing and beautiful as a community of women that inspire us to feel both wild and supported at the same time” - Carrie, Participant

“This past year has been extraordinarily busy and challenging (all of my own choosing), and Ive not taken much time to just be. The Bitches ‘n Barrels weekend was exactly what I needed! While I still had some goal-oriented mentality about surfing, I was also able to relax, regenerate, and connect with an amazing group of inspiring and authentic women in the outdoors. As I jumped back into classes this week, I reflected further on the weekend - using it as an example of a group that organically demonstrated therapeutic factors recommended for effective group (counselling) experiences. Thank you Madi and Melissa for creating this community, and thank you to all of you for the chance to connect, play, and learn with you!” - Katy, many-time Participant

“I absolutely love surfing with women, so I was incredibly excited to get the opportunity to head out with these ladies. I headed into the trip not knowing anyone, but within a few minutes of arriving I felt a connection to the energy that this group of women has created. Thank you so much for creating a welcoming environment filled with laughs, too much food, inspiring conversation…oh ya, and great waves!” - Lauren, many-time participant.

“I cannot recommend a BnB trip enough. This was my first-time surfing, it was hard, exhausting, and amazing. The women at BnB are awesome! They are extremely supportive and they provide a great environment to an otherwise intimidating activity. I was one of the only women who had never surfed but I never felt uncomfortable or embarrassed. Everyone cheered me on every time I bailed and empowered me to try again. Thank you BnB!” - Anonymous Participant Review from BnBs 13.0