For a one-week women’s surf retreat you’ll want to pack some basics: a one-piece bathing suit, a bikini, one long sleeve swimsuit, rash guard and a pair of surf leggings. Bring sunscreen, hair care products, appropriate clothes and shoes and tons of great attitude. Here’s a complete list of the basics.
What are Women Surf Retreats?
With more adult women enjoying surfing around the world, surf retreat offerings have also grown. From Central and South America to Europe and Indonesia, the opportunities are vast to travel and to try our skills in new waves.
While some of us love adventure, prefer to choose our own accommodation and a less structured schedule, many of us prefer the more structured and planned idea of a surf retreat.
Surf retreats are organized trips where you spend anywhere from a week to 10 or 14 days with a group of surfers, have dedicated surf coaches and everything is organized by them. Some are more budget friendly and some can be more luxurious.
While we are not affiliated to any surf retreat companies, here are some that we have experienced and have enjoyed: Surf With Amigas, Kassia Surf and A Week Awake.
Once you decide which retreat you want to join, there’s some planning to do, get in shape, schedule your vacation days, get insurance and, of course, pack your bags.
Whether it’s your very first surf trip or you’re a little more experienced, we think we have a pretty solid packing list that can serve you as a starting point:
Swimwear for Surf Retreats
You want to bring a couple of Olana suits to your trip, of course!
For the early morning sessions (sometimes you will be in the water as early at 5 a.m.) you may not need much sun protection unless you’re planning to stay in the water until late in the morning.
So, for the early hours you can wear a one-piece swimsuit or a bikini.
If you’re going out later in the morning or in the afternoon, you’ll want to cover your skin. Bring a long sleeve swimsuit to cover back, neck and arms, or a rash guard, and a surf hat to protect your face.
Surf leggings are also a great idea. Find a pair that matches your long sleeve, one-piece, and bikini so you're protected and looking cute.
Finally, bring a bikini or one piece for the afternoon pool party.
Extra tip: if you’re mostly used to surfing in a wetsuit, the direct contact with the board in warmer water may chafe your legs, surf leggings solve this problem.
Summary: Bring one one-piece, one bikini, one long sleeve, rash guard and one pair of leggings.
Hats for Surfers
There are great options in the market. We have tried Kaiola and Mama on Board. Whatever brand you choose make sure the hat feels comfortable for you. If you’re a shortboarder try a couple of duck dives to see how the hat feels. Details like a good strap and floatability are important so you don’t lose your hat in the ocean.
Plastic-free hair products and toiletries
There are some great brands offering shampoo and conditioning bars that avoid the plastic packaging. Using a refillable small container is also a good idea for your trips.
Why is this important? Because you don’t want to throw away in your destination. Some of the areas where surfers go on vacation may not have proper recycling or garbage processing, so try to create as little waste as possible.
Sun screen for Surfers
Bring your favorite reef-safe sunscreen. You will want to reapply frequently.
Packing your Surfboard for Long-distance Travel
This is an important topic that you may want to discuss with your retreat company as well. If you have your absolute favorite surf board and want to bring it with you, packing the board is key.
Start by wrapping it in bubble wrap, adding extra padding at the tail and nose. Once your board looks like a plastic mummy, you can stick it in the board sock (especially handy if the retreat includes driving to other spots, bringing your sock will protect your board when the team put it on the car’s roof rack with other boards).
You can add extra padding to your board by packing things like your surf poncho (which you also want to bring), towels or swimwear in your board bag.
Some of our friends use Styrofoam noodles cut in half to protect their boards rails.
The Packing List
Once you have these basics covered, and trying to keep it as light as possible, here’s a full list of things to pack:
- Swimwear: one-piece, one bikini, one long sleeve, rash guard and one pair of leggings.
- Surf hat and hat for land activities
- Contact lenses and solution (if you wear them)
- Comfortable sandals with straps (in case you need to walk around) and flip flops.
- Sun screen
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Refillable water bottle
- Plastic-free toiletries
- Towel
- Surfboard wax according to the water temperature of your destination
- Travel insurance
- Reef booties if needed
- If there are mosquitoes, bring light long sleeve shirt and pants, especially for dinner time!
- First aid kit, include hydration or electrolyte packs, antidiarrhea medicine, cold medicine, small wound treatments and pain killers. While your retreat company should have a good first aid kit, it’s always good to bring your own.
- Feminine products: even if you’re not expecting your period on the retreat days, it’s a great idea to bring tampons, whether for yourself or to share with someone else.
- Journal and pen! If you’re like us and love to write your stories and thoughts, surf retreats are usually a great time to reflect and write.
Did we miss something? Drop it in the comments, and enjoy the trip!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bring my own surfboard to a surf retreat?
Not necessarily! Most surf retreats provide boards, but if you have a board you love and surf best on, it's worth bringing. Check with your retreat organizer beforehand, they'll let you know what's available and whether board transport is practical for that trip. Also, keep in mind that airlines my charge a fee to transport your board.
What’s the best swimwear for a women’s surf retreat?
You’ll want to feel comfortable and have some options for different conditions: a one-piece or bikini, a long sleeve swimsuit, a rash guard and surf leggings to prevent chafing. Basically, options for every condition the ocean throws at you.
How do I protect my skin during a surf retreat?
Reef-safe sunscreen is a must — reapply according to label instructions, especially after being in the water. A surf hat with a chin strap adds face protection, and a long sleeve swimsuit that covers your back, neck, and arms during longer sessions.