MEMORIES

MOURNING SURF RETREAT

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, July 2022

The Healing Power of the Pacific: Why Surf Therapy?

Grief is often described as a wave—it is unpredictable, powerful, and sometimes overwhelming. At TwoCan Retreats, we don't just use the wave as a metaphor; we use it as a teacher. Our Mourning Surf program is one of the most innovative surf retreats in Costa Rica, specifically designed for those who are ready to put their mourning into motion.

When we step into the ocean, we are forced into a state of radical mindfulness. You cannot worry about the past or fear the future when you are timing a set or finding your balance on a board. The ocean demands your full presence. This is the heart of our somatic approach: using the rhythm of the sea to help the body process what the mind often cannot.

A Heart-Centered Approach to the Waves

While many surf camps focus on performance and adrenaline, Mourning Surf is a heart-centered healing experience. We believe that the ocean is a sacred space for transformation. Our facilitators and surf coaches are trained not just in water safety, but in emotional holding.

In the warm, tropical waters of Costa Rica, participants learn that they have the strength to navigate the "whitewater" of their lives. We teach that while we cannot control the ocean, we can learn to ride. This shift from resisting the waves to flowing with them is the essence of emotional resilience.

Somatic Healing and the "Blue Mind"

Scientific research into the "Blue Mind" effect shows that being near, in, or on the water can significantly lower cortisol levels and regulate the nervous system. For those navigating the high-stress environment of grief, a surf retreat in Costa Rica offers a profound physical "reset."

By engaging in somatic ocean therapy, our participants move "the issues out of the tissues." The physical act of paddling, the sensation of the salt water, and the exhilaration of standing up for the first time create new, life-affirming neural pathways. It is a form of mindfulness in motion that bypasses the intellectual barriers of traditional therapy.

Building a Sisterhood of the Sea

Loss can be incredibly isolating, but the Mourning Surf experience creates an instant tribe. There is a unique bond formed between women who have shared their stories on the sand and then shared the waves in the water. This heart-centered community is the backbone of our program.

Our 2023 and 2024 sessions in Santa Teresa have shown us that when women gather to heal, the entire collective rises. We share the wipeouts and the triumphs, the tears and the belly-laughs. In the lineup, everyone is equal, and everyone is supported.

Why Costa Rica for Your Healing Journey?

Costa Rica is more than just a destination; it is a co-facilitator in our wellness journey. The "Pura Vida" lifestyle encourages a slower pace, a deeper breath, and a more mindful way of being. Our retreats are situated in regions where the jungle meets the sea, providing a high-vibration environment for nature-immersion healing.

Choosing a surf retreat in Costa Rica means giving yourself permission to be nourished by the sun, the sand, and the sea. It is an investment in your wellness and healing, a way to honor your loss while simultaneously celebrating the fact that you are still here, still breathing, and still capable of catching the next wave.

Conclusion: Your Invitation to the Upwell

If you are carrying the weight of loss and looking for a way to feel alive again, the Mourning Surf program is your invitation. You don't need to be an athlete; you only need to be willing to get wet and stay present. Come find your center in the heart of the ocean. Come learn that you can, indeed, ride the waves of grief.