A Mini Moment With: Surfer and Waterwoman Raquel Dakota

Raquel Dakota definitely gives the “lazy stoner” stereotype a run for its money. Whether surfing, swimming, or diving, this waterwoman is always on the move. The Californian and non-stop traveler—who you may recognize from season three of Bravo’s Below Deck series, where she infamously jumped off the side of the yacht to make a point—is also a certified yoga teacher and licensed massage therapist. But basically, “I live in the water,” she says. Fitting then that her next project is a “creative aquatic series"—something we can't help but be super curious about. Here, Dakota shares how she integrates weed into her active lifestyle and how it helped her navigate some major grief. 

When did you first start using cannabis?
Cannabis has always been around me because I grew up in the “hang loose” California/Hawai’i beach culture. I dove into THC and CBD after being a collegiate athlete at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa. I started using it regularly after my little sister passed away in a car accident. It helped me get through depression. Now I use it to help me relax before bed or be more creative. 

What’s your current cannabis consumption ritual? 
I recently built out [the interior] of a cool van, so I usually enjoy cannabis parked somewhere watching the beautiful waves. 

We heard that you once stayed in an Ashram. What did you take away from that experience? How do you apply those learnings to your daily life now?
I went and lived at an Ashram in the Netherlands for a month. We meditated twice a day, drank tea, and only had vegetarian meals. While there, I became a yoga teacher with my Indian Guru, Yogi Ram. I learned a lot about Ayurvedic medicine and how to balance my fire. I have a lot of energy and my extensive yoga teacher training has helped guide that energy constructively. If something lights you up, I say go for it. Follow that path. 

"If something lights you up, I say go for it. Follow that path." 

How do you integrate cannabis into your athletic pursuits? 
I try to get in the water two to three times a day! I use cannabis before I go free surfing or before a long endurance swim or run. Everyone is different, but THC and CBD help me connect with myself better. 

Book that changed your perspective and why?
Gymnast and Stanford alumni Dan Millman’s The Life You Were Born To Live. Understanding that book opened up a lot of doors for me.

Next place you want to travel to?
I am going back to Hawai’i soon. I lived on Oahu for eight and a half years. But I now live closer to my Ohana [family] in California. I think the goal is to build a life you don’t need a vacation from.

"I think the goal is to build a life you don’t need a vacation from."

If everyone did this, the world would be a better place:
If everyone loved themselves! Focus on yourself so that you can be a greater asset to any team. It is everyone’s personal responsibility to take care of themselves. If everyone could realign their energy on giving their bodies healthy nutrition and thinking positive thoughs, the ripple effect would be huge. 

If you had a billboard, what would you want it to say?
“Gratitude.” Because having gratitude will take you everywhere you want to go. Being grateful for what you already have—food, shelter, air—is a magnet for more miracles. “Thank you” is my magic phrase.

Random or not-so-random thing you’ve been thinking about lately:
I’ve been getting into acrobatic hand balancing on canes and I can’t wait to make it my own with an aquatic twist and have a lot of fun with it.