EVENT DIRECTOR

Risa is an entrepreneur, champion surfer, producer, filmmaker, writer and swimsuit designer and a local surfer and sought-after surf instructor in Sayulita. Risa’s accomplishments include winning a number of medals and national championships in both SUP and long boarding. She even made history in 2019 as one of the first woman to represent Mexico at the Olympic qualifying Pan-American Games. Known for salsa dancing on her board, you can often find Risa surfing with her dog, Chia.

Risa has been monumental in the women’s empowerment and body positivity movements. She has been featured in a surplus of major media outlets such as CNNInternational, USA Today, Outside Magazine, Upworthy, as well as a collab with Salesforce. You can find more of her story featured in the book “Women Making Waves” on Penguin Random House. She is also the Founder/CEO of BelleCurves swimwear - a functional, swimwear line for women of all sizes.

Fathered by a fisherman and beach loving mother, the ocean is in her blood and diversity is her world. She is fluent in both English and Spanish and is an integral part of The Light Within retreats.