C
OMING IN HOT: Surf & Mindfulness Retreat in Morocco – off the beaten path.
Last year we set out to explore our first new destination in a decade. 10 out of 10 all the way. So, just in time for the Christmas holidays, we are once again leaving the cold and darkness behind and heading for the sun, sand and salty Atlantic winds of Morocco’s west coast.
High above Sidi Kaouki, a small coastal village overlooking the Atlantic, where argan forest meets desert, you will find Surfakademin’s winter home.
Here life moves in slow motion, and the waves roll in to a rhythm you will soon call your own.
We are staying at our friends’ ecolodge, an architectural dream in stone, clay and wood, designed to blend seamlessly into the Moroccan landscape. Electricity comes from the sun, water is reused to nourish the garden, and lemon trees cast shadows across two lush courtyards. You wake to the sound of birds and the scent of the ocean.
Present in the moment. No notifications. No scrolling.
Normally we start our days with a morning mindfulness session, followed by breakfast at the lodge. Then we jump into the surf van and head out in search of the best waves for the day.
Most days take us to nearby Essaouira, widely regarded as Morocco’s most beautiful city, with its bustling fishing port and ancient medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also where we find some of our absolute favourite waves. Just outside the old city walls, long, playful peelers roll in – the kind of waves that remind us of Southern California.
There is something very special about paddling out with the ancient medina as your backdrop. After surf, we hang around for coffee on the city walls or lunch inside the medina before heading back to the calm of Sidi Kaouki.
Then the rhythm continues: surf theory, rooftop yoga, video feedback, perhaps meditation in the shade of an olive tree – or simply slowing down and enjoying life at the lodge.
And for those of you who have surfed with the Academy – or on your own – before, we are bringing back one of last summer’s favourites: HANG TENS & WIPE OUTS, curated by Jens & Peter.
Our über setup designed to take your surfing from nice to classic – with clean trim, smooth turns and effortless noserides.
Think free jazz at its grooviest.
Your stay is at Surfakademin’s beautiful ecolodge – an architectural dream of stone, clay, and wood, designed to blend effortlessly into the Moroccan landscape.
Here, the sun powers the electricity, water is recycled to nourish the gardens, and lemon trees cast dappled shadows across two lush courtyards. You can choose to stay in a double room, a triple room, or a family room sleeping up to four guests. You wake to the sound of birds and the scent of the ocean. Present in the moment. No notifications.
Our home base is Sidi Kaouki – a small coastal village where life drifts by in slow motion and the waves roll in to a rhythm you’ll soon call your own. Open beaches, deep breaths, and a natural sense of calm greet you at every turn.
urfing is far from a sport, rather a lifestyle but above all a pure form of play. Surfakademin is not just a surf course, surf school or surf camp but a holistic surf experience.
In addition to the magical waves, we provide you with the theoretical basics of surfing, covering water safety, wave theory, style, and etiquette. We capture photos and videos throughout the week for a film feedback session.
To avoid learning how to catch your first wave the hard way (read a lot of wipeouts!) we carefully go through both surfing theory and etiquette before we hit the water. We also love talking about surfing’s rich history and everything from how waves are formed to how to score serious style points. Just because you are a beginner doesn’t mean you have to look like one.
Peter & Jens lead pep talks, surf philosophy discussions, and share their surfing adventures.
W
e kick off the dreamiest week of the winter with a Meet & Greet at the ecolodge around 7 PM on Saturday – so it’s a good idea to plan your travels accordingly.
Setting up
Your investment includes seven nights’ accommodation at the ecolodge (Saturday to Saturday), where you can choose between a double room, a triple room, or a family room sleeping up to four guests. The package also includes five days of surf lessons, and one day we take a break from surfing for a beautiful excursion – perhaps a scenic hike or a visit to Essaouira. Each day ends gently with a mindfulness session.
The waves are usually at their best early in the morning or late in the afternoon, so we’ll surf during one of these windows. Boards loaded on the surf buses, we set off on a humble little road trip along the Moroccan coastline.
Breakfast is included in your package, while lunch and dinner are ordered à la carte from the lodge’s seasonal menu. Think grilled dorade, couscous with fresh herbs, ripe mango with mint.
Our package includes daily surf and mindfulness sessions. Additional sessions can be booked at a small extra cost. All equipment is included – board, wetsuit, yoga mat – and each surf day turns into a little road trip to the best beach for the conditions.