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About this trip
Join avid bodysurfers and expert instructors Hannah Walsh and Spencer Dunlap, as well as the Viva Adventures team Tara Tiedemann and Adrianne Chandra Huff (who are incidentally also "wave sliders") for an epic week of bodysurfing, relaxation, and fun in beautiful Playa Grande, Costa Rica.
Bodysurfing, or the art of catching waves with just your body, is an ancient and therapeutic pastime practiced by many distinctive civilizations for eons. It is an amazing way to connect with the ocean and yourself, great exercise, an exhilarating and innocent kind of joy that you will feel lucky to have experienced.
Outside of the bodysurfing, you can expect to eat amazing food, participate in a number of other included or optional activities in the area, watch the sun set over the Pacific every single evening if that tickles your fancy, wake up to the sound of birds and the scent of Costa Rican coffee on the breeze, and reconnect to nature and yourself.
The group size will be small (12 participants max.) to ensure an intimate experience. We will be staying at the beautiful and environmentally-conscious Sol Sanctuary in Playa Grande. All transportation in-country is included with our awesome driver.
We can't wait to catch some waves with you 🌊
Bodysurf instructor bios
Hannah Walsh
Hannah Walsh began bodysurfing as a kid growing up on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. She was a competitive swimmer as well as an Ocean Lifeguard, and would spend her free time wave sliding. She began teaching bodysurfing while working at a surf camp in Costa Rica, co-designing a teaching curriculum.
She began in-water photography and videography while she lived in Costa Rica, going on to study documentary filming in Canada. Her filmmaking is grounded in stories about water, often featuring swimming, surfing, or bodysurfing. She aims to utilize her voice to make actions sports more inclusive, and to bring awareness to the natural world and compel people to take care of it.
Spencer Dunlap
Spencer has been bodysurfing for fun since he was young, loving the connection he felt with the ocean and the exhilaration of catching waves with his body alone. He started coaching bodysurfing and surfing formally after moving to Costa Rica, co-designing a teaching curriculum. He was also an Ocean Lifeguard in San Diego, California.
As he got more into the sport, Spencer would always try to seek information about bodysurfing online, but learned it was not easy to find. After years of researching and collecting any information he could find about bodysurfing around the world, he began The Bodysurf Blog and now publishes these finds for the world to see.
What’s included
- Lodging7 nights of lodging (1 night at the Hampton Inn Liberia Airport & 6 at Sol Sanctuary in Playa Grande, Guanacaste, Costa Rica)
- All meals3 delicious, healthy, and locally-sourced meals per day at Sol Sanctuary, as well as several dinners and lunches out at some of our favorite restaurants on travel days
- TransportationSafe, private transportation and a driver available throughout the trip
- Bodysurf classes5 bodysurf classes with your expert instructors, who are also avid bodysurfers, highly competent waterwomen and men, and ocean lifeguards
- Pool sessionSwim technique session with bodysurf instructors in the pool at Sol Sanctuary
- Bodysurf talkHistory and culture of bodysurfing talk from instructors
- Bodysurf movie nightMovie night at the lodge with snacks
- SoundbathA relaxing and meditative soundbath (think resonant "singing bowls") on the private yoga deck
- Retreat leadersSpanish/English-speaker guides will be available facilitating the activities and coordinating anything else you may need during your entire retreat
- PM trip to TamarindoVisit to Tamarindo for wandering, souvenir shopping, sunset, and dinner
- Free dayA day to explore the area on your own and do an optional add-on tours or activity
- Conservation activityAn environmental activity alongside Sol Sanctuary's partner NGO
- Use of private yoga deckThe space is ours to use, whether to stretch before bodysurf sessions, or to request a private or group yoga class as an add-on
What’s not included
- International airfareFlight to Liberia International Airport (LIR) on February 15, 2025, and departure from same airport (LIR) on February 22, 2025
- Travel insuranceWe recommend you purchase travel insurance in the event of cancellation or emergency as trip deposits and payments are unfortunately non-refundable
- Optional activitiesWe can help coordinate any additional activities you may want to do (Surf lessons/rentals, estuary kayak tour, waterfall hike, hot springs tour, chocolate tasting & tour, cacao ceremony, snorkeling)
- Alcoholic drinksYou are more than welcome to purchase on your own
- Bodysurf finsYou will need to purchase your bodysurf fins ahead of the trip as they are more difficult to find in Costa Rica (we recommend Hydro Tech 2 and DaFin)
Available Packages
The Sol Sanctuary spaces allows for every single participant to have their own bed, even if you may be sharing a bungalow. Ensuite bathroom in each bungalow.
Price is per person, in USD.
You'll have 1 room with 2 twin beds all to yourself with ensuite bathroom. For the first night in the Hampton Inn, Liberia, you'll have 1 double sized bed in your room and ensuite bathroom.
Available options
*2 person minimum
Itinerary
Arrive to Liberia International Airport (LIR) on February 15, 2025. There, the Viva Adventures team members will be waiting for you and you will together return to the Hampton Inn where we will be staying the first night. We will share dinner together and make introductions for the week!