What to Pack for a Surf Retreat (From Someone Who Always Overpacks)
I've packed for a lot of trips, and I can tell you the surf retreat suitcase is its own discipline. You will live in roughly four things, ignore half of what you brought, and wish you'd packed the three things nobody mentions. Here's the honest version.
What the retreat provides (so you don't have to)
Wetsuits and boards are always provided on our retreats, matched to your size before you arrive. Unless you're deeply attached to your own wetsuit, leave the hardware at home. (Heading somewhere else? Check with your host before you buy anything.)
What you'll actually live in
- Swimwear — the thing you'll need most. Two is the magic number: one drying while you wear the other. Sporty ones that survive a wipeout, not just the pool-pretty ones.
- Easy beach layers — comfy outfits that take you straight from the sand to a post-surf coffee (or beer) without a second thought.
- Layers, full stop. True in Ericeira and Cornwall both — Atlantic evenings have opinions.
- Comfies for evenings in the villa: soft trousers, an oversized jumper. Retreat evenings are cosy, not dressy.
- Comfy clothes for yoga that you can also wear to breakfast, because you will.
- Flip flops — on your feet more than anything else you bring.
- A beach towel — the ones at the villa will thank you.
- A water bottle — surfing is thirstier than it looks.
- A cap for the beach, walks and bad-hair mornings (there will be bad-hair mornings; nobody cares).
- A couple of outfits for meals in town. Everywhere we eat is relaxed — dress up if you fancy it, and there's never any pressure either way.
The three things everyone forgets
- Hair ties that mean it. The ocean eats the flimsy ones.
- Zinc-based face SPF — regular sunscreen comes off in the first ten minutes of paddling. A stick of zinc lives in every surfer's bag for a reason.
- A big scrunchable beach bag — wet swimsuit, water bottle, book, jumper: beach days need one bag that swallows everything.
Skip these
A hairdryer (salt air wins; embrace it), and anything you'd be upset to get sandy. The dress code at a surf retreat is salt, sun cream and a smile.
The real secret
Leave space in the suitcase. Between the local ceramics, the market finds and the goody bag, you'll come home with more than you left with — and the best souvenir doesn't take up any room anyway: shoulders that ache in the best way and a group chat that won't stop buzzing.
If you're mentally packing already, the next step is picking your week: come join us on .