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

learn to surf holidaysSurfing 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’

happy surf campSurfing 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

learn to surf holidayIt 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

surf schoolFor 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

sunrise surfingGetting close to nature  and 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

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON!


Check out our prices here.

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

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

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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?

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

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

yoga retreat

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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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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:

  1. The only purpose built surf camp in the Caribbean.
  2. The only surf camp and school in Cabarete with internationally qualified surf instructors.
  3. Located right in the center of Cabarete
  4. Top quality surf equipment for rent: soft tops and hard tops in sizes ranging from 5’6” to 9’2”
  5. Yummy home cooked breakfasts and dinners.
  6. Daily maid service.
  7. Get a ride to the surf beach, restaurants, & nightlife can all be reached easily by walking into town.
  8. Quality beds, mattresses and sheets will make you sleep as well as at home.
  9. 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.
  10. 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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Swell Overhaul

Surf season is almost upon us in the Dominican Republic

So to be prepared for the high season we close and start renovations as we do every 2 years ,  we give the building a complete overhaul, new paint, new room decor, work in the garden , new LED lights etc. so we worked very hard to get everything done in the 2 weeks that we has, in total we had 25+ people on site working to get everything done, and we made it.

Here’s some pictures of certain parts of our surf camp that got a new look.

Since we had friends and family staying with us, we also tried the snorkeling tour that we can now fully recommend for our swell clients:

It’s a short 15 minute drive to Playa Sosua, where you get handed quality snorkeling equipment, a short briefing and off you go in the boat to the best snorkeling sites in Sosua. We absolutely loved the trip, we snorkeled  for 1,5 hours and saw plenty of fish, enjoyed the coast line scenery from the boat.

Here’s some pictures from our snorkeling trip. If you are interested in going Snorkeling with the Swell crew, just let one of our staff members know and we can organize it for you.

The high season is coming, we think the camp looks better than ever before, so we hope you come and join us this winter for a one of a kind surf adventure holiday.

Travel solo / single?

Swell is the perfect match as we made the top list for single holidays

See you in the Caribbean

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Kite & Surf Holiday

KITE & SURF HOLIDAY

Summer season is upon us here in the Dominican Republic, which means the afternoon trade winds start blowing like clock work at around midday.

More and more people are interested in our learn to kitesurf packages.  We have created a package that incorporates the pleasant stay at Swell Surf camp in comfortable rooms, healthy fresh breakfasts, 4 dinners and kite surf lessons on Cabarete’s Bozo beach at the best kitesurf school in Cabarete. They have IKO qualified kite surf instructors working for them and teach with the latest 2015 kitesurf gear.

What else is new in Cabarete? The 2015 Cabarete kitesurfing world cup is taken off the agenda unfortunately due to logistical / organisational difficulties. It’s a real shame since for most of the kite surf pro’s Cabarete is their favorite PKRA stop on the world tour. Hopefully the world cup will be back next year for some spectacular action.

 

SUMMER PRICES

If you are interested in a Kite & Surf holiday in Cabarete this summer we have good news, we have drastically reduced our rates for the summer. Have a look on the pricing page, or send Clare a message to get a price and availability quote today.

 

SURF CAMP REVIEWS

190 Tripadvisor reviews, Frommers recommends Swell as one of the top 10 surf camps in the world, and Lonely Planet wrote the following about us:

We hope to welcome you in Cabarete soon

Interested in an active adventure holiday to the Caribbean? Have a look at this page

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

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

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LOCATION OF SWELL SURF CAMP

surfing encuentro

GETTING TO SWELL SURF CAMP

We get a lot of questions via email from people that want to know how to get to us, so here’s more info on where Swell is and how to get here.

 

FLIGHTS TO  THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Any easy and quick way to check the various routes is via Kayak and Hipmunk.com

Keep in mind that not all airlines choose to display their routes via those sites. JetBlue, which has direct flights to Puerto Plata and Santiago from New York and Boston (thanks for the Swell surf camp mention Boston Globe)

 

AIRPORTS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

The best (closest) airport to fly into is Puerto Plata (airport code POP). It`s only 25 minutes away from us with direct daily flights from New York (JetBlue and Continental airlines) or Miami (American Airlines). There are also a ton of charter flights that come in from all major airports in the US, Canada and Europe.  Transfers to and from POP are included in each package.  Another option is to fly into Santiago airport (airport code STI but make sure it`s Santiago de los Caballeros or you might end up in Chile).  Flying into STI adds $150 USD round trip to the transfers (this is per taxi, not per person). Santiago is a little bit further away, but still a very manageable 1 hour and 15 minutes by taxi. Flying into SDQ adds $365 USD round trip to the transfers (again, price is per taxi, not per person).

 

COMMON DIRECT FLIGHTS TO PUERTO PLATA

From / via New York, USA
If you come from New York or are flying via New York ( lots of Europeans do), Continental, JetBlue and United Airlines fly directly into Puerto Plata.  Check for their services into STI and SDQ too; they are often cheaper, but bear in mind the extra taxi costs noted above.

From / via Miami, USA:
American Airlines has a direct, short flight to Puerto Plata from Miami

From / via Toronto, Canada:
WestJet, Sunwing & Air Canada have direct flights to Puerto Plata from Toronto

From / via Montreal, Canada:
Sunwing & Air Canada have direct flights to Puerto Plata from Montreal

From / via the UK:
Thomsons has direct flights to Puerto Plata from both Gatwick and Manchester

From / via Amsterdam, The Netherlands:
Arkefly has a direct flight to Puerto Plata from Amsterdam

From / via Dusseldorf, Germany:
Airberlin has a direct flight to Puerto Plata from Dusseldorf and a couple of other German airports.

From / via Frankfurt, Germany:
Condor has a direct flight to Puerto Plata from Frankfurt

From / via Paris, France:
Air France has a direct flight to Santo Domingo (SDQ) from Paris

There are two more airports in the Dominican Republic; AZS (Samana) and PUJ (Punta Cana).  AZS has some limited services but is 2.5 hours from Cabarete.  Punta Cana has many flights, but we do not see this point of entry as viable as the journey by road to Cabarete is 7 hours each way. Use search engines like Hipmunk.com and Kayak.com – but bear in mind, some airlines, like Jet Blue, will not let their flights show on some ticket searching websites.

Need more help? send us a message and we will point you in the right direction.

Want to join us? have a look at the surf holiday packages we offer and contact us today.

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