10 Ways You Can Benefit from Surfing Retreats

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10 WAYS YOU CAN BENEFIT FROM A SURFING RETREAT

Blue skies, turquoise-blue waters, and a fiery sunset.

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The soothing sound of waves delicately caressing the shore.

The smell of salt water.

The tickle of sand on your bare feet.

A new taste for surfing.

They’re the fastest growing trend in wellness travel; designed to feed mind, body, and the senses. They’re called surfing retreats. And it’s something you have to try.

Surfing retreats are more than learning a fun, invigorating watersport. They offer so much more than the name implies.

You’ll leave your travel adventure with much more than you came with. Check out all the ways you can benefit from the experience.

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TRAVEL TO A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY FOR SURFING RETREATS

Let’s face it. One huge reason you’re looking to get away is to relax in a place that oozes calm and serene. (But also has a great nightlife too!)

The gorgeous sandy beaches of Cabarete offer the best of both.

The Dominican Republic has some of the most consistent waves in the world, especially the local surf break.

And the off-site excursions take you deep into some of the most breath-taking scenery the Caribbean has to offer.

If you want to truly experience the Dominican Republic and escape to paradise, Swell surf camp is the place to go.

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COMBINE FITNESS WITH FUN

There’s a reason most surfers have slim, toned muscles and bodies to-die-for. A duck-dive under the waves isn’t easy.

Surfing engages the entire core constantly. It requires good endurance, muscle power, and flexibility.

Paddling uses arm, shoulder, and chest muscles.

Heard of surfies? They’re basically the burpee of the surf world. They’re what you need to master for a flawless pop-up onto your board.

Surfing may be challenging and physically demanding, but you’ll have so much fun learning you won’t even notice. (Until after!)

MAKE NEW FRIENDS

Surfing retreats are extremely popular for solo travellers. You walk in on day one to meet a bunch of strangers and leave on the last day with ten new friends.

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How can you not become close-knit when you spend all day encouraging and “whoop-whooping” for one another? The spirit of camaraderie is only made stronger by the team of supportive, friendly and skilled surf instructors.

Designed as a communal gathering place you can also spend time getting to know your surf mates outside of lessons.

A surf getaway is a perfect way to meet and bond with positive, like-minded travellers.

LEARN A  NEW SPORT

Cowabunga dude! Hang loose. Watch me shoot the curl.

It’s such a crazy sport that it has its own language.

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Learn to Surf retreat

The best practice for surfing lessons is to the two-a-day approach.

The first session includes a thorough warm-up, dryland practice, and often one on one instruction. Instructors are knowledgeable and encouraging. Their goal is to make you feel comfortable while trying something new and unfamiliar.

The second session is a looser practice. Here you will practice what you learned earlier on your own. Instructors are present to offer tips, advice, and encouragement.

Remember to manage your own expectations. Not everyone picks up surfing the first time they try. But every time you get out and try again is a step closer to riding the waves.

But every time you get out and try again is a step closer to riding the waves.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO LEARN SURFING?

This is a question we hear a lot at Swell. Unlike with other board sports like skateboarding and snowboarding, the variables around you constantly change. Waves, ocean, tide and wind all affect the surfing conditions. With snowboarding, you can practise the same turnover and over, with surfing that is not the case.
At Swell we aim to be the best Surf camp, teaching the sport of surfing in a structured way from qualified surf instructors so your surfing can progress fast and in a safe way.

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Playa Encuentro, Cabarete’s main surfing spot on the north coast of the

Dominican Republic is a super consistent surf spot. Encuentro has waves 350 days of the year and the water is always warm, so no need to bring a wetsuit.

EAT FABULOUS CUISINE

Part of travelling to another country is the anticipation of savouring the local cuisine.

The best surfing retreats have their own kitchen with an in-house chef and cooking staff.

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Because the cooks are local, guess what that means? It’s like home cookin’ — Dominican Republic style.

Even the most health-conscious, diet-watching people need to fuel their bodies.

The resort or company hosting your surf retreat knows the importance of this.

A light breakfast is commonly available before the first surf lesson (you don’t want to fill your stomach before getting on the water). Then a hearty, filling, healthy meal will await once you’ve completed your lesson.

As one Swell review says: “The meals I had at camp were some of the best I had the whole trip.”

And for the nights you feel like venturing out, you’ll find it hard to choose. Some of Cabarete’s popular eateries are within a 5-minute walk from the Swell surf camp.

FEEL A SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT

There’s no better way to build self-esteem than by tackling something new.

Instruction is broken down into small, manageable steps. But you can also expect to be pushed to your limits, without going farther than you can handle. Each day promises a new success.

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Each day promises a new success.

Because instructors tailor their instruction to fit individual needs, you’re guaranteed to leave with better surfing skills than when you came. Even if you don’t manage to ride your board on the inside break you’ll experience the joy of simply trying.

Just remember, with any new skill you learn, it starts with baby steps. In this case, it starts with baby waves. Small, tiny waves today; big and wild waves the next.

In this case, it starts with baby waves. Small, tiny waves today; big and wild waves the next.

FEEL REJUVENATED

Surfing retreats are becoming more and more popular among women.

surf yoga retreatMost of us live in a constant whirlwind, taking care of others and sometimes forgetting to look after ourselves. When’s the last time you treated yourself to a much-needed break?

Get a massage. Read a book on the beach without interruption. Come back to a cleaned room every day. Talk with other women without censoring what you say. Get your workouts in daily. Enjoy a cocktail without having to answer a text, call, or request from a needy three-year-old.

Get your workouts in daily. Enjoy a cocktail without having to answer a text, call, or request from a needy three-year-old.

Whatever it is you need to get away from, transform and return rejuvenated.

Even those around you will appreciate it.

FEED YOUR INNER EXPLORER

Although you may find it hard to tear yourself away from the warm sand and soothing splash of waves, it’s a must-do to venture out.

poolMost surfing retreats are located in areas full of fabulous adventures.

In Cabarete you can choose from many different activities:

  • Try kitesurfing
  • Go snorkelling the beautiful bay of Sosua
  • Into scuba? How about a wreck dive or night diving?
  • A guided horseback ride takes you to exotic areas no cars can drive
  • Mountain biking is available for the hard-core and the leisurely rider

Of course, your trip wouldn’t be complete without rappelling down the “Magic Mushroom.” Yes. That’s a thing. And yes, it’s something you’ll never forget.

INTERACT WITH LOCALS

The surfer lifestyle coined the phrase “hang loose.” And that’s the atmosphere you’ll be surrounded by when you venture into the local haunts.

Your surf instructor and staff can offer many great suggestions for food, fun, and fantastic people watching.

Local surfers are always out on the water. They are an extremely accepting and generous group of people. They enjoy shouting encouragement to newbies of the sport.

REBOOT BODY AND MIND

Many surfing retreats offer a combination of surf instruction and yoga. Push your mind and your body to experience the fullness of what you are doing.

Yoga practice helps relax your body after long, physically taxing days in the water. Gentle yoga poses help stretch and loosen muscles and are perfect for post-surfing relaxation.

SURFING RETREATS ARE THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME

Most surfing retreats are so much more than the surfing; “beautiful, chill location, great food, fabulous restorative yoga classes, fun adventurous activities, and relaxing with new friends.”

No matter what surf level you’re at, Swell Surf & Yoga Retreat is an experience you will never forget. And one you will want to do over and over again.

PICK YOUR SURF RETREAT DESTINATION

Swell now has 2 location to choose from for your surfing retreat. The original Swell surf camp in the Caribbean, or the brand new swell Bali location, located in the hip and quaint surfing/fishing village of Bingin, in the south of Bali.

swell bali Surf Retreat

More info at Swell Bali Surf Retreat

HOW ABOUT A FAMILY SURF HOLIDAY?

In the popular kids vacation weeks, Christmas, summer holiday we are also open for family surf holidays to join Swell.

Ready to treat yourself to the adventure of a lifetime?

Your contact is Clare. And she’s ready to answer all your questions and help you book the perfect surf holiday.

Read our 5 reasons why a visit to the Dominican Republic will satisfy all adventure holidaymakers.

Ready to buy your first surfboard? read our guide on choosing your first surfboard

Single / Solo Traveller? Read this article why Swell is the place for you

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The Best Time to Go to the Dominican Republic For a Water Sport Holiday

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If a surf holiday doesn’t sound like a great time to you, then you probably need one urgently. It’s both a relaxing and thrilling getaway.

You’ll likely be in a picturesque location wherever you decide to go. But we want to talk to you about the Dominican Republic for now.

Why? Because it’s a fantastic spot for a surfing getaway. You do need to know how and when to go about it, however. The surf season Dominican Republic has to offer is long and beautiful, but there are some finer points to be aware of.

So here’s your guide to taking a surf holiday in the Dominican Republic.

Surf Season Dominican Republic Style

Here’s something you probably didn’t know—there are actually four surf seasons in the Dominican Republic. That’s right, no matter when you come, you can be assured of catching some waves.

However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t differences that might matter to you.

Summer (June- Jul- Aug)

Summer is the time when many people are thinking about making a trip. If you’ve never surfed before, this might be a good time to take your vacation. The waves are smaller and this is ideal for learning to surf.

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Fall (Sep-Oct-Nov)

This is when things start to pick up a little. The fall surf season in the Dominican Republic offers slightly bigger waves than the summer The waves are around waist to head high, and you’ll find them to be largely consistent from day to day.

Great for beginners and intermediate surfers

Winter (Dec-Jan- Feb)

Winter is when the biggest and most frequent swells and waves come in.  Winter is great for surfers of all levels, Beginners and Intermediate surfers surf the inside of the surfbreaks, experts try to catch the big waves on the outside

Spring (Mar-Apr-May)

In the spring, storms become less frequent. Average waves size is around waist to Chest high, ideal for people who have never surfed before or intermediate surfers that want to work on their thechnique. Big Swells still occur, but they slowly come to a halt as summer approaches.

Tons of people come down to learn how to surf in the DR. A surf holiday doesn’t have to just be for those who already know how to surf.

Other Considerations

As you start thinking about when you want to head to the DR, you may be thinking about more than surfing. Since you can surf year-round, it’s important to think about other considerations.

1. High Season

High tourist season actually coincides with the winter surf season Dominican Republic provides. That’s because winter up north is a good time for many people to escape down to the DR.

If you do choose high season, remember a few things.

  • You’ll likely pay more for flights and hotels.
  • There are tons of great festivals and activities going on.

So you’ll want to make all of your reservations as soon as you can. Everything from flights to restaurant reservations should be handled ahead of time. That way you can enjoy the beauty of the island, or the waves, in peace.

2. Low Season

From late April into the summer months, prices drop and tourism slows. It actually doesn’t get much hotter. It’s basically hot all year round, which isn’t a bad thing for most people.

Keep in mind that there isn’t really a rainy season, either. It can rain at any time, but generally not for long periods of time. So there aren’t weather-related reasons that low season is so, well, low.

But as I mentioned earlier, the surf season Dominican Republic offers during the summer is much better for beginners. For experts, it simply won’t be as challenging. Here are a few things to think about when considering coming during low season.

  • It’s less expensive.
  • It will be less crowded and more low-key.
  • But that could mean hotels and restaurants are renovating or undergoing construction at this time.

3. Festivals

We mentioned that high season includes some great festivals. If you’re intrigued by that, then take a look at this quick list of some of the better-known festivals.

Guloya Festival

Held in January in San Pedro, this festival includes rowdy drummers making their way through the streets. Huge crowds make this a can’t-miss for avid party-goers.

Carnaval

Carnaval in Santa Domingo is the largest annual celebration in the DR. If you’re in the country during February, this is one you won’t want to miss.

In fact, there’s a street party every Sunday that month. So you can catch some fun even if you aren’t there for the culminating blow-out party.

Festival de Merengue

Feeling glum because you’re coming during the low season? No worries! There’s still the Festival de Merengue during the last week of July and the first week of August.

The music is incredible, with the world’s top meringue bands playing for two weeks. It’s the perfect way to experience the culture and music of the DR.

Wrapping Up

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Have you made a decision about when you’d like to come? With the year-round surf season Dominican Republic provides, it can be a tough choice.

Come in high season for big waves and lots of festivals, or low season for smaller waves and a (somewhat) quieter stay.

Whatever your choice, I’d encourage you to give us a call at Swell Surf Camp. At Swell, you’ll be surrounded by people just like you who are there to surf, relax, and have a good time.

There’s no need to have surfing experience. Our qualified instructors are top-notch and have taught thousands of people to surf.
Read our 5 reasons why a visit to the Dominican republic will satisfy all adventure holiday makers

How about a Family Surf Holiday?

In the popular kids vacation weeks, christmass, summer holiday we are also open for familiy surf holidays to join Swell.
Ready to buy your first surfboard? read our guide on choosing your first surfboard

So what are you waiting for? Have a look at our surf accommodation, find a surf package  Contact us today!

Single / Solo Traveller? Read this article why Swell is the place for you

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8 Reasons to Book a Yoga Retreat This Summer

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Have you been toying with the idea of a yoga retreat for a while but haven’t hit “confirm booking” yet?

That’s understandable. It’s hard to fathom the idea of taking time off of work solely for yourself.

You probably have a full plate of responsibilities that you feel you can’t walk away from. But that’s the beauty of taking a little time off.

Taking a mental and physical break from your work can actually help you to return refreshed and functioning better in the office. A yoga retreat is a perfect way to reconnect with your mind and body and return to work a better version of you!

Here are 8 reasons why you should pack your bags and book a yoga retreat today!

 

8 Reasons to Book A Yoga Retreat, (or A Yoga & Surf Retreat)

 

1. You’re Worth It

I promise not to get sappy on you, but you owe it to yourself to do something you truly want to do. If you’re a busy mom or have a demanding job, it can be hard to think about taking time for yourself when there are so many other things to do.

I don’t know any woman who does as much for themselves as they do for other people. Putting yourself first once is a while is not selfish, it’s survival.

 

2. You’ll Function Better After

surf retreat yogaNo one can sustain all work and no play/relax. The more you work, the more frazzled you become. Just like a haircut, if you take time for yourself it’s like cutting off your dead ends. You lose some hair (time), but the freshness of having refreshed ends makes it worth it.

If you’re afraid that taking time off means falling behind at work or at home, don’t worry. Whatever you miss out on will be quickly made up for with your rejuvenated mind and body. Give a little, get a lot.

 

3. You’ll Get Distance

Taking yourself away from a situation that is overwhelming is one of the best things you can do. When you remove yourself from the problem or a problematic situation, you have time to reflect on it in a new context.

With the physical and mental distance from something that is troubling you, you can refill your personal needs. Once you feel refreshed and revitalized, you’ll be surprised by the mental clarity you have.

Once you’re taken care of, your brain can concentrate on solving whatever problem is at hand (or at home).

 

4. You’ll Eat Well

surf yoga retreat 1A yoga retreat means no long preparations for family dinners or a rushed microwave dinner. During your retreat, you need to relax completely. Our yoga retreat provides amazing nutritious food. e can help you nourish every part of your body, without all the work.

Yoga retreats provide amazing nutritious food. This can help you nourish every part of your body, without all the work.  You’ll already be working hard enough, internally and physically, with your yoga practice. Prepared and nutritious meals will free you of another task and assist in your relaxation.

 

5. You’ll Sleep

Does anyone get a full, restful night’s sleep anymore? Whether it’s work that keeps you up late or little feet pattering that wake you up early, you aren’t getting the amount of sleep your body needs.

Whether it’s work that keeps you up late or little feet pattering that wake you up early, you aren’t getting the amount of sleep your body needs.

With your body working hard all day doing yoga and surfing on the beach, you’ll be ready to turn in when night comes. Since there are no screens on a yoga retreat, you won’t have anything buzzing or lighting up to keep you from sleeping.

It’ll just be you, tired and happy, turning in for a good night’s sleep.

 

6. You’ll Detox

surf DSCN0219You never know how much technology has become a part of your life until you part with it for a few days. You have the world at your fingertips and the answers to every question. Taking some time off from your screens will allow your brain to wander into places that you had forgotten about.

Without Google, you’ll find your mind pondering questions you can’t look up the answers to. This self-reflection and internal activity will do wonders for your quality of life. You may even figure out the answer to something you’ve been thinking about for a long time.

Your body will also get to detox since you’re treating it with ancient and natural activities. There’s a reason that yoga has been practiced for 5,000 years! Even the simplest poses do great things for your body.

Yoga gets the blood flowing to places that trouble you, which reduces inflammation. Twists of any sort get your spinal fluid flowing and detoxes your organs. There may be an adjustment period (you’ll be sore the first day), but you’ll feel brand new when the yoga retreat is over.

 

7. Your Yoga Will Improve

surf surf yoga retreat 300x199 1The fact that the improvement of your yoga practice didn’t get written down until number seven shows you just how many parts of your life a good yoga retreat will touch.

That being said, of course, one of the reasons to go on a retreat is to enhance your practice. Unlike your daily or weekly yoga classes, you won’t have to hurry through your poses. There will be nothing distracting you from your form.

You will get better attention from the instructor, as well, since they will have time to get to know you and your body’s needs.

 

8. You’ll Feel Like Yourself Again

With all this time to yourself concentrating on you and what your body needs, you’ll remember what it’s like to make yourself a priority. You’ll have energy levels that you don’t remember having since childhood.

Things that were mundane or even annoying will feel new again. It sounds simplistic, but after your yoga retreat, you will have a refreshed perspective on life.

It’s like hitting the reset button on a frozen device. It’s scary and you think everything will disappear, but when the screen comes back on everything is working better than before.

How about a Family Surf Holiday?

In the popular kids vacation weeks, christmass, summer holiday we are also open for familiy surf holidays to join Swell.
Ready to buy your first surfboard? read our guide on choosing your first surfboard

It was very hard to end the list at eight because there are so many benefits to a yoga retreat. If you want to experience the magic for yourself, check out our Surf & Yoga retreat packages

For more information on kitesurfing Dominican Republic visit this page which has a full kitesurfing dominican republic travel guide

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