Salty Sensations is a celebration of everything we love about the lifestyle of surfing- connection to nature, community, & the brilliant joys of being immersed in the ocean and the present moment.

Our retreats are hosted by world-class professional surfers who do their very best to break down surf techniques and tips to help each surfer make strides in their own practice, while creating an atmosphere of celebratory inclusivity. Join Kassia Meador, Leah Dawson, Makala Smith, and Hallie Rohr for the ultimate surf tip retreat and community building experience.

Our San Clemente Retreats are 3 Nights, 2 full days of surf at the iconic San Onofre beaches. We camp at the San Clemente State Beach Campground, just 5 minutes drive up the road from the surf break. Each morning session will be filmed, and two in-depth group Video Feedback sessions will follow! We are accompanied by our amazing Chef Aine, and our amazing Kitchen Fairy help, and accommodate any dietary restrictions necessary.

SURF LEVEL REQUIRED: Must be able to catch your own waves.

Make new friends, grow your surf skills and knowledge, eat delicious food, enjoy beach days by the fire with as much surf as you want! Dogs are welcome as long as they are dog/people friendly and you are able to secure them while you are in the water!

Board Rental

$150

Dead Kooks Kassia Model 9'5

Triple Stringer Donald Takayama 9'5

Unhinged Surfboards Kassia Model 9'3

Arrival Day
Arrival Day
Welcome Circle and Opening Dinner
Arrive to campsite 4-5:30 pm (If you arrive early, campground checkin begins at 2pm, which also gets you a parking pass to SanO. We suggest going to catch a few waves if you arrive early!)

Dinner & Welcome Circle - 6:30 - bedtime
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Beach Day 1
Beach Day 1
Surf All Day
6:30 - 7 am - Arrive to the Beach - Coffee, Tea, Light breakfast

7:30 (tide and waves depending) - Morning Surf - filmed for Video Feedback

10 am - Breakfast

Land Camp - Land Lesson

Midday Session

2:30 - Lunch on the beach

Afternoon/evening session (optional)

7pm - Dinner on the beach

8pm- Video Feedback - on the beach by the fire!
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Beach Day 2
Beach Day 2
Surf All Day S'more
6:30 - 7 am - Arrive to the Beach - Coffee, Tea, Light breakfast

7:30 (tide and waves depending) - Morning Surf Session- filmed for Video Feedback

10 am - Breakfast

Land Camp - Land Lesson

Midday Surf Session

2:30 - Lunch on the beach

Afternoon/evening Surf session

Community Acupuncture/massage with Jennifer Janis

7pm - Dinner at the Campground on the Bluff!

8pm- Video Feedback at the campground
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Final Morning
Final Morning
Community Circle
7:30 - Sound bathe at the campground - led by Kassia Meador

9 am - Big breakfast and closing circle

10 am - Departure from campground
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Arrival Day

Welcome Circle and Opening Dinner

Arrive to campsite 4-5:30 pm (If you arrive early, campground checkin begins at 2pm, which also gets you a parking pass to SanO. We suggest going to catch a few waves if you arrive early!)

Dinner & Welcome Circle - 6:30 - bedtime

Salty Sensations

12 reviews

Salty Sensations was created by long time friends and professional surfers Leah Dawson and Kassia Meador. The intention, to create a space for people to learn from their shared surf knowledge and experience in a supportive environment. Later joined by Makala Smith these retreats are hosted by three of the best female longboard surfers in the world. They are a highly unique opportunity to up level your surfing ability and have an epic time expanding your global surf community. Come for the surf and leave with life long friends!

Best surf retreat! My time with the Salty Sensations crew at Malibu Popoyo far exceeded my expectations. The surf instruction, theory and community was top notch!

By Chally W for Salty Sensations X Malibu Popoyo X Longboard Retreat - 2 Sessions! on Jan 20, 2025

Awesome retreat with amazing people and great instruction. One of the best surf trips I’ve taken. Highly recommend a retreat with Salty Sensations. Leah, Kassia and Makala were awesome. Learned more than I ever have in all my years of surfing.

By Bill M for Salty Sensations X Malibu Popoyo X Longboard Retreat - 2 Sessions! on Jan 20, 2025

Such a great surf trip. Leah, Makala and Kassia are incredible humans and amazing surfers. I learned more from them in a week than I have in the years I've been surfing. They attract likeminded individuals, and our group as a whole was friendly, light hearted and just all around a joy to be around. I'd book again in a heartbeat!

By Romina I for Salty Sensations X Malibu Popoyo X Longboard Retreat - 2 Sessions! on Jan 20, 2025

Bucket list trip with capable hosts and great accommodations. Group that assembled was awesome as well. Will certainly recommend.

By Jo P for SALTY SENSATIONS xx MENTAWAI DREAMS on Nov 12, 2024

Incredible trip! I would definitely go again. The instruction from Kassia, Leah, Makala and Andy was unparalleled. I have been on a couple other surf trips and had some other surf instruction and their ability to read the ocean, explain it and help put it into practice was next level. To top if off, they're also amazing humans and fun to be around! Great resort, like-minded people and great waves made it all an excellent experience that I won't forget. Thanks guys!!

By Gina B for SALTY SENSATIONS X MENTAWAI DREAMS on Nov 05, 2024

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Salty Sensations Fall 2023

Salty Sensations Fall 2023

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