The dream: To surf with the big boys—even if you're a girl
Go to: Punta Mita, Mexico
And enroll at: Las Olas Surf Camp

Let's face it: Laird Hamilton makes surfing look like the sport of macho gods, not girls and grandmas. But even he can't hang ten at this secret surf break, near a village somewhere in the province of Nayarit on the Pacific coast of Mexico. Here, waves curl like a long row of eyelashes, and only fishing boats and local kids share the water. That's because the secret password is XX (as in chromosomes) to enroll in Las Olas Surf Safari, a women-only weeklong school that teaches budding Gidgets, aged 13 to 70. Surfers stay in thatch-roof palapas, and attend group sessions each morning and free-riding every afternoon. Yoga, massage, and salsa lessons round out the day. And while the instructor-to-guest ratio is two to three, the guacamole-and-mango-to-guest ratio is off the charts. Feeling bad, you XY types? Head to Richard Schmidt's Surf School in Nosara, Costa Rica, which guarantees beginners (guys and girls) will get up on their first go.
Las Olas, seven days, from $1,995, including double room, meals, lessons, and daily yoga session. Richard Schmidt Costa Rica surf camp, seven days, $2,000, including breakfasts and lunches

Las Olas Surf Safaris for Women
Tel: 831 625 5748

Richard Schmidt Surf School
Tel: 831 423 0928