SWELL HOLIDAYS

LEARN TO SURF HOLIDAYS

What’s new at Swell Surf Camp

May 2018 Swell Surf Holiday news

News
Why go to Swell on a learn to surf holiday
Summer kitesurf season in cabarete

NEWS

About 2 months ago we launched the Swell 2018 website, aftre some initial technical difficulties the site is now running smooth and we see visitors stats are good, people are finding the pages and info they are looking for easier and quicker to find on the new website. We have updated the Swell Gallery page so it’s now real easy to see what Swell Learn to surf holidays are all about. have a look at the galleries and let us know what you think.

iNSPIRE DR AND SWELL SURF CAMP

We are also very proud and happy to announce that we have partnered up with Inspire DR, A US non-profit organisation based just a 100 yards from where Swell is based. Inspire teaches young Dominican and Haitian boys essential skills to become the community leaders of the future.

The boys learn vitally important skills for life; critical thinking, respect, timeliness, responsibility, leadership, entrepreneurship and teamwork, using a variety of methods.

The programme also teaches them some valuable practical skills; woodworking, swimming, English, surfing (that’s one of the ways we help) and many more.

We love the way InspireDR reward the boys when they have reached certain goals; each day, the boys have to demonstrate the values and skills listed above.

As they must be demonstrated every day, with no exceptions, these values just become normal for the boys. They must also have an attendance record at the school of more than 90% so consistency and reliability also becomes normal.

InspireDR have so far helped 97 boys from the local community, with 62 currently in the programme and a waiting list of 71 more boys hoping to join.

Winter season has come to an end in the Dominican Republic, but that doesn’t mean the surf season has

The Dominican Republic has waves year round, no distinct rainy season and the water is always warm, have a look at this page, and this page for more info on when to go to the DR

WHY GO ON A LEARN TO SURF HOLIDAY WITH SWELL?

Here at Swell we are all fanatical about our surfing (well not all, Haudy our lovely manager doesn’t surf, her passion is food and cooking, and the Swell clients love here for it!)

When we started Swell we had 1 goal:

“To provide the best luxury surf camp experience available on the market”

We designed a building from scratch that is comfortable, stylish and a social place to stay, we wanted it to be a place where we ourselves would be very happy to stay on our holidays.

Even though we have many years of surfing experience between us, we also know our weakness: we are not the best surf instructors ourselves, so we were the first surf camp in the Dominican Republic that employs fully qualified ISA surf instructors. The minimum requirement for surf instructors at Swell is to be ISA level 1 qualified, but most of the time we have ISA level 2 coaches working for us.

A STRUCTURED APPROACH TO LEARNING TO SURF

Before we opened Swell we had visited many surf camps around the world (we used to run a successful surf travel company).At a lot of those surf camps in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama and Bali we saw practises that were not very beneficial for the students that wanted to learn to surf

Why?

Classes with student to instructor ratios over 10:1
Instructors that were not qualified
Instructors that barely spoke english
Instructors that didn’t want to teach, instead they wanted to surf themselves
No safe soft top surfboards

*Definitely not all Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua and Bali Surf camps give , what is in our opinion, bad surf lessons. There are some very good surf camps and surf schools in those countries (I’d be very happy to send a list of highly recommended surf camps and schools , just send us an email).

We at Swell want to make sure that every Swell clients get a top learn to surf holiday from us, so that’s why we use qualified ISA surf instructors for our ” learn to surf holidays “.

INTERESTED IN JOINING SWELL

Have a look at the following pages to see if the learn to surf holidays we offer are something that would suit you.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!

Swell

Rooms

Surf Lessons

Surfing

Activities

Surroundings

Swell learn to surf holidays

Swell learn to surf holidays/span>

Written by: Reviewer

Date Published: 12/01/2017

Swell’s learn to surf holiday is a perfect way to learn the sport of surfing in a fun, safe and quick way

9.7 / 10 stars

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May 23, 2018

learning how to surf

If you have always wanted to learn how to surf, but don’t know what it takes to do so, read this article

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May 22, 2018May 22, 2018

5 reasons for a trip to the DR

Many people think of the Dominican Republic as a place for all-inclusive lazy holiday, the reality is that the Dominican Republic has so much more to offer than those big hotels.

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April 10, 2018July 5, 2024

Kitesurf Holiday

KITESURF HOLIDAY

Kitesurf season is coming up in Cabarete, Dominican Republic.Besides awesome surfing conditions for surfers of all levels, Cabarete is also widely regarded as the kitesurf capital of the world.

Perfect conditions for kiteboarders of all levels.

What to expect if you are coming to Cabarete for a kitesurf holiday?

Steady tradewinds that kick in in the afternoon, so no need to get up early in the morning.
Warm water and air temperatures so no need for a wetsuit.
Different kite surf spots close to cabarete, from waves to flat water.
Plenty of space, no need to get lines tangled.
Good kite surf schools so you can learn in a safe manner.
Awesome local talent that put on a great show.

We have converted many surfers into kitesurfers over the years, and if you are also interested in learning this exciting sport, join us this summer and sign up for our kitesurf package.

How many hours of kitesurf lessons do I need?
Some advertise 4-6 hours of kitesurf lesson packages, to lure clients in with low prices. We don’t believe in this approach, learning in a safe manner, requires at least 8-10 hours of lessons and another few hours of supervised kitesurfing.

Do I need to be strong for kitesurfing?
No, kids as young as 6 have learned kiteboarding and people as old as 70 are still kitesurfing.

Is Kitesurfing dangerous?
Not when you take lessons with a qualified kite surf school in Cabarete.

How much does the kitesurf equipment costs?

Used board starts at 200-300 USD
Used kite and bar starts at 400-500 USD
Harness costs around 65 USD

Is used kite equipment available for purchase in Cabarete?

yes plenty of people have good used kite equipment for sale, ask around at the different kite school.

For more information on kitesurfing Dominican Republic visit this page which has a full kitesurfing dominican republic travel guide
The 2015 Cabarete PKRA kiteboard worldcup sponsored by Virgin ( Branson’s company) will be stopping by in June , see the event schedule.

Have anymore questions about kitesurfing , Cabarete or a surf holiday to the DR’s #1 surf camp, send us an email.

For those interested in learning to kitesurf on their caribbean, here’s a good starter guide

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April 8, 2018October 22, 2023

What level is my surfing?

Here at Swell, we deal with this question on a weekly basis.

Of the many emails we receive each week, we find that several of our potential guests are unsure how to class the level of surf experience they have: Many people call themselves intermediate surfers, but in our experience, it’s such a generic term, this is not applicable. Far better to judge the term by what you can actually achieve on your surfboard in the water, so we’ve put together a simple guide for you to help you decide which level you are really at and if you can still benefit from taking surf lessons.

How much surfing have you actually done?

We start by asking this question. The answer is that if you have only visited one or two surf camps, you have less than 20 hours of surf lessons, or you have not surfed regularly, we, and most reputable surf camps, will consider you still to be a beginner surfer.

I’d give myself as a good example to compare and consider your own level; I have been surfing pretty regularly (several days in each month) for two years, and whilst I am no longer a beginner, I still consider myself a Novice, not yet an Intermediate. Why? The answer is that I am still not comfortable in larger waves and despite being generally paddle fit (which many of our guests are not, having just come out of an office) I am not completely confident in catching green waves larger than chest high. And, whilst I can trim, I can’t yet carve.

The next question is: Do you need surf lessons?

Again, using myself as an example, I don’t take regular surf lessons, but sometimes, I will take a couple of hours of lessons to improve a particular aspect of my surfing that I know i need help with.

If you are someone who has taken say 10 to 15 good lessons in recent months and are able to paddle independently, select your own waves and pop up consistently, we might say that you just need practise rather than lessons and can get by on tips from our coaching staff (who are ever-present) to improve certain aspects of your surfing.

To help you correctly judge your level, we’ve made a list below which we hope will indicate the steps you should have accomplished to reach the various surfing stages.

Complete Beginner:

When you have no previous surf experience at all, or maybe have taken a single lesson at some stage. Before entering the water, you will taught the terminology of a surfboard (rail, tail, etc.) and be shown how to lie on the board + how to ‘pop-up’ correctly once the wave is carrying you.

In a complete beginner lesson, you will be taught in the shallow water, using the power of waves which have already broken. Once you are able to pop-up regularly, you’ll be taught the correct stance to take and how you can start to place certain pressures on the board, allowing you to ‘turn’ to ride in one direction or another. A complete beginner can enjoy the benefit of having a surf coach give them a push to get them started on a wave.

Beginner:

When you have only done a few hours of surf lessons or a couple of surf camps. Most importantly, you are still a Beginner if you cannot yet achieve the following steps independently 1. Enter the water and paddle out to unbroken waves. 2. Select a wave to ride. 3. Pop-up quickly. 4. Turn the surfboard easily and ride down the line.

Much like a complete beginner lesson, our team will go over the pop-up with you to see if you have the basics (bad habits in a pop-up are certain to cause you future issues). Once you are in the water, our team will assess where you are with your paddling and your pop-up, moving you quickly on to new tips if you have already mastered those vital skills. Surfing depends so much on fitness, so even if you were rocking in a previous lesson at another surf camp, you may find that paddling again exhausts you fairly quickly, so you too will benefit from some helpful pushes from our surf coaches.

Let’s expel a myth about surf lessons: Just because you are not catching green, unbroken waves, it doesn’t mean you are not learning to surf. Every paddle, every pop-up, every ride, every turn; they all count, even in the white water. Everyone has to master those basic skills before you can move onto the unbroken waves.

Novice

This is you if you already have several months of regular surfing behind you and can achieve the following: 1. You feel comfortable paddling independently out to a line up on a smaller swell. 2. You can paddle yourself into a wave and are able to pop up and trim the surfboard to ride down the line.

Our staff can still teach you a great deal; tips on popping up more quickly, taking the correct stance, better trimming, even beginning to make bottom and top turns (carving).

Intermediate.

When you are surfing regularly (every week) for at least one year and more importantly, you can achieve all of the following: 1. You can catch head high, unbroken waves independently (you certainly don’t need to be pushed by a surf coach to get into a wave). 2. You can control your speed on a wave. 3. You can carve or trim the surfboard whilst on the wave, changing direction easily. Giving lessons to a genuine Intermediate surfer is mostly dependent on wave co-operation (too big a swell makes coaching intermediates very challenging). We coach intermediates at Swell by being out in the water with you and giving tips and advice on improving certain aspects of your technique.

Interested in a Swell learn to surf holiday? Have a look at our approach to surf lessons

SWELL GALLERIES

Swell

Rooms

Surf Lessons

Surfing

Activities

Surroundings

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

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April 3, 2018April 17, 2018

Meet the Swell team: Neno

Meet the Swell team: Neno

The next few weeks the blog posting will focus on different staff members at Swell. The first staff member we focus on is Juan Alberto Mejia Castillo, better known by 100’s of swell clients as Neno.

If you look around the Swell website you’ll find lots of photos of the smiling Dominican. Why? Because Neno is one of our top staff members: teaches people to surf, hangs around dinners and is always up for a pool table challenge ( be carefull he is good)

Neno has been with Swell 4 plus years and is one of the most experienced surf instructors in the Dominican Republic. With his ever present big smile, big enthusiasm (and equally awesome big hair) he is one of the most popular staff members of Swell.

Full Name:
Juan Alberto Mejia Castillo

Nick Name:
Neno

Position at Swell:
Surf Instructor

Nationality:
Dominican

Age:
26

How long have you worked for Swell?
4 Years

Languages:
Spanish, English and a little bit of swedish

Favourite music:
electronic

Favorite drink:
mojito

Hobbies:
surf and road trips

Favorite surfboard:
long board

Favorite surf spot:
mañanero

The best part about working for Swell is:
meeting new people and the vibe

The part I don’t like is:
the cat (jk)

One day I would like to
travel

I am really good at
socializing

But not very good at
writing

What would you like to see changed in the world?
eliminate corruption

When people come to Swell and the Dominican Republic they should definitely
visit playa grande

Tell us about yourself
Since I was a child I was always interested in computer science! I have two younger siblings the youngest is 21 and the oldest is 24. The youngest lives here in cabarete and the eldest lives with my parents in nagua, in the countryside, when i started working i was pretty young with the age of ten as a gardener, that was my first serious job and then after that i started working other stuff like carpentry, constuction and security. Security was my last job before i started working for swell surf camp and here i am!!

Photo of neno surfing at Encuentro

Interested in being taught the sport of Surfing? have a look at our learn to surf holiday packages, contact Clare and off you go on a unique surf holiday to the dominican republic.

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January 11, 2018July 5, 2024

Surf & Yoga Camp

So, the love affair between Surfing and Yoga continues to gain strength and it’s no accident that the two pair-up so well.

Pre-surf stretching has been a vital part of the surfing process – using limbs in a way that is alien to most other daily activities or sports can take it’s toll, even on bodies whose owners consider themselves to be quite fit ordinarily.

Unless you are a seasoned swimmer, arms are not used to paddling as a rule so shoulders can react unpleasantly to the demands of catching those waves. Good balance is also an essential part of the surfing process.

Yoga brings together many of the skills you will need to learn to surf well and perhaps most importantly, helps to stretch, relax, repair and tone aching limbs. At Swell, we are very fortunate to have the lovely Molly O’Meara as our Yogi – Molly’s very friendly and relaxed way of teaching Yoga really concentrates on the individual…..she’s wonderful at pin-pointing your sore spots and gently encouraging your body to ‘give’ and relax.

Yoga sessions are held at least twice per week and can be increased on request.
The Yoga and Surf package we offer at Swell has become more popular of the last 4 years since we opened our surf camp in the Dominican Republic.

What is the Yoga & Surf package Swell offers?

At least twice a week our local Yoga instructor who is a full time resident in Cabarete comes to Swell to teach a Yoga class in the garden at Yoga. The Yoga classes we offer are accessible for people of all levels, so it doesn’t matter if you have never been to a class before.

The instructor will assess your abilities and adjust the level of the exercises to that accordingly.

Yoga Surf Holiday

Who is the package for?

We get Yoga fanatics who have been to many surf & yoga retreats in the past , who cannot go a few days without a class, but also complete newbies who see the benefits of having good balance in body and mind, as well as better breathing as a huge advantage for a surfing holiday.
more info can be found on this page:Yoga surf holiday

Sign up for the Surf & Yoga Camp

Every surf holiday package that Swell offers has the possibility of adding Yoga Classes. It is best to mention to Clare ( who answers your emails) that you are interested in the Yoga, so she knows what the availability is like for that specific week.

Besides Yoga there are a ton of activities you can do on a surf yoga camp: see our list of watersport activities in the Dominican republic

Quick tip: Swell is a popular place and as a result we can sometimes fill up months in advance, so if you are interested in joining us, don’t wait too long; send us an email today.

INTERESTED IN JOINING SWELL

Have a look at the following pages to see if the learn to surf holidays we offer are something that would suit you.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!

Swell

Rooms

Surf Lessons

Surfing

Activities

Surroundings

The 9 best yoga poses for surfers

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON AT OUR SURF & YOGA CAMPS

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November 29, 2017September 25, 2023

Top Things to do in Cabarete

Top Things to do in Cabarete (other than Surfing & Yoga)

Caberete, the action sport capital of the Caribbean. Located on the North coast of the Dominican republic, 20 minutes from Puerto Plata international airport (POP).

The first words that come to most peoples minds when they think of a holiday to the Dominican Republic is: Lazy all inclusive holiday. Whilst this is true for most resort towns in the DR like Punta Cana, Sosua, Puerto Plata. It couldn’t be further from the truth for Cabarete.

No gated big all inclusive resorts are found in Cabarete. What you will find is lots of smaller hotels / guesthouses and B&B’s. Why? The people that visit Cabarete are not your average lazy all inclusive hotel guests that sit on a sunbed and drink horrible cheap rum & coke’s from a plastic cup. The average tourist visiting Cabarete is there to be active in, under or above the water.

So what are the Top Things to do in Cabarete?

1. KiteSurfing and Windsurfing

Cabarete is ranked as one of the world’s top Kitesurfing and windsurfing destinations in the world. Big beaches, side onshore trade winds make for safe conditions for kitesurfers of all levels. The other reasons that beginners, intermediates & pros all love Cabarete is the variety of kite surfing spots in and around Cabarete. From the flat water at la Boca to the waves on the offshore reefs or the flat water at Kitebeach cabarete that is ideal for beginners and intermediates

2. Snorkeling and Diving

A short drive from Cabarete is Sosua. Clear water makes for great snorkelling and diving. There are a few dive operators offering half day snorkelling trips. From Swell we usually organize a snorkeling trip to Sosua once per week. Ask our manager for the snorkeling schedule. It is also possible to do a Padi dive course in Sosua or Cabarete.

3. Canyoning through the waterfalls

Swell guests repeatedly say that the Cayoning trip organised by Helmut and Matt for Swell is one of the best adrenaline fun filled day trips they have ever done. Expect to see spectacular scenery, jumping off waterfalls, swimming through gorges.

4. Enjoy fine food and drinks at Cabarete beach

Cabarete beach has a great dining and party scene. Start of with a sunset drink on one of the beach side bars, under palms trees on a white sandy beach. Then enjoy some fine food, from new york steak to fine sea food. Top recommendations areLa Casita de Papi’s sea food restaurant right on the beach.

Party scene: the bars and nightclubs start to getting going by 10 in the evening until …. well..late. Which days of the week? Any day although friday and saturday it’s usually a BIG party.

5.Take a day trip to Playa Grande & ziplining at Laguna Dudu

Playa Grande is an hour away from Cabarete and is a stunning white sandy beach, lined with tall palm trees, and no development. Laguna El Dudu is an exciting and mostly unknown attraction on the north coast of the Dominican Republic. It requires a bit of bravery before one is able to swim in the water as the lagoon is surrounded by natural cliffs from which to jump into refreshment.

This is just a short list of the top things you can do in and around Cabarete, there’s loads more stuff to do. Have a look at this video and see for yourself if Cabarete and Swell Surf & Yoga retreat is the kind of place for your active holiday.

TOP ACTIVITIES IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Want to see more ideas on what the Dominican republic has to offer? Read our extensive article on the top 20 DR activities

Interested in an Active Surf & Yoa Holiday? Send us a message

Read our 5 reasons why a visit to the Dominican republic will satisfy all adventure holiday makers

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

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September 27, 2017July 9, 2024

10 Ways You Can Benefit from Surfing Retreats

10 WAYS YOU CAN BENEFIT FROM A SURFING RETREAT

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

surf coaching retreat — 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.

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.

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.

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.

Most 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.

Most 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.

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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September 1, 2017July 9, 2024

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

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.

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

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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August 10, 2017October 14, 2018

LEARN TO SURF HOLIDAY

A CARIBBEAN LEARN TO SURF HOLIDAY

Teaching people that are completely new to the sport of surfing all the basic essentials of how to ride the waves is what we at Swell specialize in.

We provide high quality surf lessons for our clients, and one way to ensure this is by using quality surf material: Safe big soft top boards for the first time surfers, rashguards, leashes but most importantly by using internationally qualified surf instructors that are fluent in English.

Our surf instructor to student ratio is pretty much guaranteed to be below 6 students for 1 instructor. We have 2 international surf coaches working at Swell with years of experience teaching surfing in a safe, fun and structured manner.

Besides those 2 coaches we also have a permanent Dominican Surf instructor, who is widely regarded as one of the best surf instructors in the country: Neno, He speaks English fluently, is very patient and an all round nice guy with a huge smile.

What kind of people take lessons with Swell? Well we only give lessons to the clients that stay at Swell, to ensure that the student / instructor ratio is kept low. So unlike other surf schools and surf camps in Cabarete, we do not give lessons to non clients.

THE SURF EQUIPMENT WE USE FOR OUR SURF LESSONS

We use the best surf equipment available for our surf lessons, this means our boars are sop top surfboard ranging in sizes from 7’8” to 10” from Global Surf industries. They are regarded the best boards for learning in a quick and safe way.
We also provide surf boots for extra grip and to prevent you from hitting your toes on the odd little rocks under the water. For sun and rash protection Swell provides Lycra’s. Clients are adviced to bring good SPF30+ sunscreen to make sure you don’t end up with terrible sunburns, since the sun is intense in the Caribbean.

THEORY SURF LESSONS

Besides the lessons we gave on the beach, we also provide theory lessons at the camp for more background on topics such as:

Safety briefing
Where to sit in the line up
Rip currents ( there’s none at Encuentro but at most other surf spots around the world there are)
Surfer’s etiquette ( don’t drop in, priority rules etc.)
Board designs and accessories.
How waves are formed.

THE BEST TIME FOR A LEARN TO SURF HOLIDAY IN THE DR?

For beginners: any time of the year is a good time to come and learn with Swell Surf School in Cabarete
For intermediates if you just started catching unbroken waves, spring / summer and autumn are best, for more advanced intermediates the winter is a good time to start challenging yourself with some bigger waves.
Experts Surfers: best time to come is between October and April when the winter swells roll in for overhead + conditions most of the time.

More info on the (surf) seasons >>

More info about learning to surf with Swell Surf Camp

Have a look on our ‘Surfing’ page to find more info about the learn to surf camp packages we have created. Interested in a surf & yoga holiday we got that too

So what are you waiting for? Cross one thing of your bucket list , and learn to surf with the professionals in the Dominican Republic on your next surf holiday with Swell Surf& Yoga Retreats

More info about our Learn to Surf Holiday can be found here >

If you want to read up on the most important part of the surf technique, the ‘pop up’ we wrote an article about that here

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August 3, 2017July 5, 2024

7 Reasons to Ride the Waves and Learn to Surf

Picture this. The sun’s shining, the palm trees are swaying, and you’re riding your first ever wave over the crystal clear Caribbean water. There’s no doubt about it, nothing beats surfing!

In addition to having fun and embracing a new challenge, surfing comes with a whole host of other benefits. From improved fitness and better core strength to reducing stress and encouraging you to get outdoors, what’s not to like?

Regardless of age or ability, it’s never too late to learn to surf. You’ll learn to trust yourself and your instincts like never before. We’ve rounded up 7 ways of how surfing will help you live life to the fullest.

Read on to learn more!

You’re Going to Get a Whole Lot Fitter When You Learn To Surf

Surfing comes with many physical health benefits, which is great news for all of you looking to get fitter. In fact, surfing is the perfect combination of strength and cardio training.

When you learn to surf, you’ll be doing a lot of paddling to get used to the board and feeling of the water below. Although this can be a little tiring at first, it’s a killer cardiovascular workout. You’ll have some pretty toned arms by the end of your holiday, that’s for sure.

Your shoulders and back are also going to get stronger and stronger every time you paddle out to catch a wave.

Every element of surfing pushes your strength, agility, balance, and stamina.

Once you’ve learned to pop up on the board (you’ll get there, trust us), your legs and core are going to be working to keep your body balanced and standing upright. That feeling when you’re riding your first wave – however short that moment may be – is something you’ll never forget.

You’re Going to Feel Happier and More ‘Present’

Surfing is a fantastic outlet for releasing stress and tension.

The endorphin’s released through physical activity provide a natural happiness high and immediately make you feel better about the world.

A study of 107 surfers in California investigated the mental health benefits of surfing by asking them to describe how they felt before and after a session. They reported feeling calmer and more tranquil afterwards.

When you’re surfing, there are no distractions of modern life. It’s just you, the water and your board.

Taking on a New Challenge Is Good for the Mind, Body, and Soul

Eleanor Roosevelt famously said: “Do one thing every day that scares you.”

When we learn a new skill or sport, we’re challenging our mind, body, and soul. And when we are faced with something new, we have to work that much harder to get it right. When we achieve our goal, the reward is that much sweeter.

Remember when you learned to ride a bike? It doesn’t come immediately, but before you know it, you’ve got the hang of it! It’s the same with surfing. One day it will click, and you’ll wonder why you’ve taken so long to give it a go.

You’ll Learn More About Yourself

It takes courage to leave your comfort zone behind and connect with something bigger than yourself. Venturing out into the open waves for the first time can seem daunting and alien. But trust us when we say that you will learn more about yourself in an hour learning to surf than you will by lying on the beach trying to get a tan.

You could surprise yourself with your patience, determination, and love for the ocean. Nobody is perfect and learning to surf encourages you to push through fear and doubt.

As in all parts of life, continuous effort and a positive attitude can take you anywhere.

You’ll Meet New People

For many people, surfing isn’t just a sport but a way of life. In fact, surfing is one of the oldest sports on earth and is thought to have originated in Polynesia in 2000 B.C.

Out of a sport marked by salty hair, sandy toes, and colourful boards, a major subculture has emerged. From surf art, surf tourism, and international contests, surfing has captured hearts across the globe.

When you learn to surf, you’ll inevitably meet new people, make new friends and experience the culture of the sport.

Getting Outdoors Is Always A Good Idea

Really enjoying the natural environment around us is something we should all prioritise. Those who surf often speak of the feeling of overwhelming freedom when they are in the water.

When we’re outdoors, we gain perspective on life. Even when you’re in the beginning stages of learning to surf, you’ll be immersed in the rhythms of the ocean and the great outdoors.

It’s Never Too Late To Learn A New Skill

Nobody wants to reach 80 and think “I wish I done X, Y, and Z.” If learning to surf is on your bucket list, why not get ticking?

And you don’t have to be 21 to learn to surf either!
We have taught people in their 40’s – 50’s and 60’s how to surf

One British man, Paul, learned to surf when he was 61 years old and hasn’t looked back since.

“It’s opened up a new dimension in my life. A feeling of freedom. You’re basically on your own, on your surfboard in the sea…one to one,” Paul said.

At Swell we aim to be the best surf camp for adults who want to learn the sport of surfing.

Final Thoughts

Staying fit and active is always beneficial, but when you’re outside doing something you love and learning a new skill in the process, it feels that much more rewarding.

INTERESTED IN JOINING SWELL

Have a look at the following pages to see if the learn to surf holidays we offer are something that would suit you.

Swell offers adult surf camps for people people that are looking for the best place to learn to surf

SEE WHAT A SWELL SURF HOLIDAY IS ALL ABOUT

Swell

Rooms

Surf Lessons

Surfing

Activities

Surroundings

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!

Check out our prices here.

How about a Family Surf Holiday?

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

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June 29, 2017November 1, 2018

8 Reasons to Book a Yoga Retreat This Summer

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

No 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

A 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

You 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

The 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?

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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September 29, 2016April 18, 2018

Surf photos

Paloma has been taking great surf photos of our clients who are enjoying their surf holiday here in the Dominican Republic.

She is great at taking water shots, and she got her new long lens so the surf photos from the shore will also be great.

Prime surf season has started and will be in full swing all the wait into April. This means good waves for beginners – intermediates as well as the experts surfers who are looking for overhead waves at Encuentro or at any of the numerous quality reef breaks around Cabarete.

Interested in joining us for a yoga surf holiday? Send Clare a message today

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September 17, 2016July 9, 2024

Cabarete wind and wave forecasts

CABARETE WIND & WAVE FORECAST

We get a lot of people asking us,”what is the wave or wind going to be like in 3 weeks from now”. Needless to say we cannot guarantee perfect wind or wave conditions for your learn to surf or learn to kite holiday 3 weeks in advance.

There are a few tools you can use for an accurate 7 days forecast or tools that give you an insight into historical wind and wave patterns in the Caribbean.
For an accurate wind and wave forecast for 7 days we use sites like Windguru Cabarete and MagicSeaweed Encuentro[/dropcap]

From our own experience

Waves between October and April:
Bigger waves: suitable for beginners, intermediate and expert surfers

Waves between May and September:
Smaller waves on average: more suitable for beginners and intermediates.

Wind between April and August:
Consistent wind of 15 knots or more on 70% of the days

Wind Between September and March:
Consistent wind of 15 knots or more 40% of the days.

BEST SURF HOLIDAY

Are you looking for a one-of-a-kind surf camp holiday in Cabarete?

Here’s 10 reasons why Swell Surf Camp in Cabarete is your best bet:

The only purpose built surf camp in the Caribbean.
The only surf camp and school in Cabarete with internationally qualified surf instructors.
Located right in the center of Cabarete
Top quality surf equipment for rent: soft tops and hard tops in sizes ranging from 5’6” to 9’2”
Yummy home cooked breakfasts and dinners.
Daily maid service.
Get a ride to the surf beach, restaurants, & nightlife can all be reached easily by walking into town.
Quality beds, mattresses and sheets will make you sleep as well as at home.
Awesome staff; friendly dominicans, 1 chilean manager, our local surf instructor Neno and 2 international surf instructors will make sure that everything is in order during your surfing vacation.
The best vibe in town! Meeting fellow travellers has never been easier; our large communal area is great for playing a game of pool, table football, socialising or watching a surf video. No other place in the Caribbean has the vibe Swell has……Guaranteed.

But don’t just believe our word for it, here are some external companies’ views on what Swell has to offer:

SURF HOLIDAY IN CABARETE

And our love-hate relationship with Tripadvisor continues (even though we have by far the best record on reviews, we are placed lower in the rankings than places which are no longer open just because we won’t allow Trip Advisor to sell our rooms).

So if you are interested in joining us on a great surf holiday vacation in the Caribbean, send Clare an email today. Swell is a small place with room for only 22 guests, so spaces fill up quickly and most times month in advance.

We hope to see you soon!!

Swell Surf camp

If you have any questions about what season is best suited for your level of surfing or kitesurfing, feel free to send us a message.

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June 21, 2016July 5, 2024

Summer in Dominican Republic

Summer in Cabarete

Summer time is here, and contrary to popular belief, it’s actually a great time to be on the North Coast of the Domican republic for a surf holiday. Maybe not for expert surfers seeking to find double overhead barrels, but for beginners and intermediate surfers, the DR offers great conditions.

See the magicseaweed and Windguru forecasts on surfing and kitesurfing conditions in Cabarete in summer

Surfing conditions in the summer in the Dominican republic

Generally wave size between June and September is about 3-4′ or 1,5 meters or waist to chest high. Which we belief to be the best wave size to make quick progress.
Another reason that many of Swell Surf Camp‘s clients keep coming back to Cabarete in the summer time is that the surf is very uncrowded. Swell’s surf transport leaves early in the mornings, and we are usually the first ones at Playa Encuentro for our surf lessons.

Best surfing in the Caribbean

The Dominican Republic is one of the few places in the Caribbean that consistently has waves year round. In general we have about 350 surfable days per year. It might not always be perfect head high and barreling, but if you don’t mind grabbing a longboard in mellow chest high waves, Cabarete is a very consistent surf base in the Caribbean.

Stuff to do in Cabarete

Another reason why many people choose the summer months over winter months is the variety of other water sport activities that are superb in summer time: Kitesurfing and Windsurfing; the tradewinds pick up like clock work everyday at around 1 in the afternoon. There’s a reason why all the pro kitesurfers keep coming back to Cabarete every year.

Rememeber that swell offer year round surf & yoga holiday, or Yoga and Kitesurf camp. Molly gives Yoga sessions 3 times per week in Swell’s backyard.

Looking for a good surf camp deal?

We have dynamic pricing so if you are flexible on when to come to the DR for a one of a kind surf holiday, check the prices for September and August, they will be discounted, since it’s a bit more quit in Cabarete
during those months.

More info on the surfing in the Dominican republic can be found on this website with surf spots and travel tips for a surf holiday to the Dominican Republic

Want to stay up to date what is going on at the #1 surf camp in the Caribbean?
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Want to join us on a yoga & surf camp holiday ?

For those interested in learning to kitesurf on their caribbean, here’s a good starter guide

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

If you are looking for more info on the seasons in the Dominican Republic:

Best time to visit the Dominican Republic

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May 5, 2016September 3, 2018

Swell Surf Camp Summer

We’d like to take this opportunity to update you with what has been going on at Swell. Winter is over, and we had a fantastic time, lots of happy clients, good waves for all; from mellow beginner waves to double overhead barrels for the advanced surfers.

Now summer is almost here, and that means the kite surfers will be happy. As many of you know, Cabarete is one of the top spots in the world for kitesurfing. Ideal learning conditions for beginners, means progress is made quickly and in a safe manner. For advanced kiteboarders Cabarete has everything from flat water to waves.

Staff changes at Swell Surf Camp.
Romy, who was with Swell for the last year, has unfortunately left Swell 2 weeks ago, her smile and enthusiasm is missed.

It was long Romy’s plan to go an infect Canada with her smile, she got her work / travel visa so she’ll be wearing a wetsuit soon on Canada’s west coast, where she is going to continue to be an awesome surf instructor.

Charlie is still with Swell for a few more weeks, before he too will go and explore more of the (surfing) world. We wish him all the best in his travels.
New instructors.

Swell is a surf camp, so we need good surf instructors; Ed is the latest addition to team Swell. A qualified ISA level 2 surf coach from England. He has lots of teaching experience, and is an allround nice guy.

Paloma ( from Chile, like Haudy) is going to be joining Swell Surfcamp in 2 weeks as a surf instructor / surf photographer. Paloma takes awesome surf shots, so if you want to have you pic taken by her, join us this summer.

We hope to see you soon

If you are looking for more info on the seasons in the Dominican Republic:

Best time to visit the Dominican Republic

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April 4, 2016July 5, 2024

Best summer camps

Spring has begun and we at Swell Surf Camp already get a lot of inquiries and bookings in for the summer.

Maybe it’s because we got mentions on a lot of external / independent websites for offering awesome summer surf camp holidays.

Mentions:

Slice Magazine – One of the top hotels for singles
Frommers – 10 best destination surf camps around the world
Tripadvisor – one of the top rated surf camps
BootPrints – Best adult summer camps
Lonely Planet – Top accommodation list for Cabarete
Cooler Lifestyle – One of their editors loved their stay at Swell Surf Camp
Sundance Beach – 1 of 5 Epic surf camp holidays
And a bunch more

Needless to say we are very happy when we get a mention in the media, another thing to say is that we never pay for media coverage or let anyone have a free stay in return for a write up. These reviews of Swell Surf Camp are genuine.

What’s going on in Cabarete?

Winter has provided us with lots of top quality surf days at Playa Encuentro, and the kite surfers have also been happy days with plenty of windy afternoons. With summer coming up: if you have been wanting to learn kitesurfing, the next few months is the time to come over to Cabarete for a kite surfing lessons / course. Steady trade winds in the afternoon will be a steady fixture all the way until the end of August for kiteboarding

Want to learn to surf ? Summer months provide excellent learning conditions for beginners with waves in the waist to chest high range.

Did we mention the Yoga Surf Camp ?

Need more activities? have a look at the active adventure holiday page.

We hope to see you in Cabarete, the action sport’s capital of the Caribbean this summer.

For those interested in learning to kitesurf on their caribbean, here’s a good starter guide

If you are looking for more info on the seasons in the Dominican Republic:

Best time to visit the Dominican Republic

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January 25, 2016October 28, 2019

Swell Surf Camp Video

Have a look at what a Swell vacation is all about.

The video is shot in and around Cabarete and Swell Surf Camp

http://swellsurfcamp.wistia.com/medias/l3uawa4f1x?embedType=async&videoFoam=true&videoWidth=690

For more information about the types of surf camp holidays, we offer here at Swell; have a look at this page

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January 18, 2016December 2, 2025

Surf Instructor Job Opening

Surf Camp Job Openings:

Updated: April 2021

Surf Instructor Job

When:
Positions open for 2021

Length:
Minimum commitment 8 months, longer is possible and preferred

Position:
Surf instructors, surf guides

Where:
Cabarete, Dominican Republic

Bali, Indonesia

Requirements for surf camp job in Cabarete, Dominican Republic
Previous teaching experience & ideally ISA qualified

Swell has set whole new standards in accommodation and guest experience of surf camps.

Our place has a unique vibe and we have great clients, mostly professional people, who stay with us. The work can be 7 days a week when we are really busy but we have 3 coaches full time and normally between 6 and 12 people taking lessons at any one time. Our surf coaches have quite an easy run compared to European surf schools, though work starts early (6.30am) it is done by lunchtime. Then we like our coaches to socialise and take part in other fun activities with the guests. If you read our Trip Advisor reviews, you will get a sense of how important the staff mixing with the clients is to the overall success of Swell.

We provide accommodation and daily breakfast + 4 dinners (eating out in Cabarete costs just a few dollars for other meals). Salary will vary dependent on skills offered and experience. Spanish is not essential but is an advantage.

Swell Bali Job Opening(s)

in 2021 Swell is opening a new surf hotel. Located in the cool surf town of Bingin on the SW coast of Bali. With world-class waves such as Bingin, padang padang, Impossibles and Uluwatu within a few minutes.

For Swell Bali we have the following Surf Camp Job positions open:

Surf guide / Surf Instructor

Needs to be an advanced surfer.
Have experience surfing in Bali
Good communication skills
Fluent in English and Ideally some Indonesian
Experience in hospitality.

Interested in working for Swell?
Fill out the form below, we get lots of interests from people, so double-check if your info is correct and up to date since incomplete applications will not be considered.

About Swell

We provide a quality surf holiday for surfers of all levels. The Surf & Yoga Holiday is a popular package where clients learn to surf and we teach Yoga in our garden 3 times a week.

The accommodation at Swell is of the highest standard found anywhere in the world for a surf camp. Stylish rooms and comfortable beds + AC and Fan and Ensuite bathroom

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