Surf Coaching Retreats

JUST GO FOR IT! I have taken countless surf trips but this was the undisputed best experience EVER! The villa where we stayed was the best lodging you could ask for. Every detail was attended to meticulously by the lovely staff and all of your wants/needs were taken care of. We surfed a fantastic uncrowded break under the watchful eyes of both the Barefoot surf coaches who took video from the shore and local Nicaraguan coaches who were in the water by your side. Each day post surf the coaches would analyze your surf videos with you and give you tips to help you improve. I have been surfing for over 20 years and even though I am far from a beginner I came away with helpful tips to take my surfing to the next level. This is a trip for all levels from first time beginner to the more advanced surfer because you can "tailor" the experience to your individual wants/needs. Most of all, the friendships I made with not only the other attendees but the Barefoot coaches and staff were priceless and I look forward to seeing them on many trips in the future. If you have any voices in your head telling you not to take this trip GET OVER IT AND JUST GO! It will be the best decision you will ever make.

Go! Best surf camp imaginable in the best surf spot. Going back! If you want to learn how to surf quickly, Barefoot is it -- full stop. Excellent coaching, people, food and accommodations. My surfing improved spectacularly in one week thanks to the well-designed Barefoot methodology. Online support and tutorials are priceless. Go!

Gracious Staff and Guests The 12 guests was a perfect size to get to know each other. The staff was unbelievably gracious, always asking "what you need" and willingly help you out - going the extra mile. This goes from the kitchen staff, surf guides/instructors, the lead staff (Virgil, Sophie), all the way to the top. Gabriel and Alex stopped by at the start and end of the retreat. Both were gracious, available to talk, and related well to all the students.

Due to the atmosphere established at top, it filters down to the guests. It was a fun and enjoyable group.

Best Surf Retreat (and birthday celebration) EVER! I honestly don’t even know where to begin! From the beautiful accommodations that immediately felt like home, to the delicious food, to Sophia‘s warmth, Virgil, and the other coaches expert guidance, to our group, the local coaches, Miguel and sweet Lobo, and the EXTRAORDINARY thought and care they put into creating the most magical birthday celebration for myself and one other guest could ever hope for, it was perfection. Truly. Can’t wait for the next one!!!

The best way to learn and improve your surfing! This was our second trip with Barefoot in two years and I can say unequivocally that this camp makes you a better surfer!

This is clearly the best way to learn and improve in the hardest sport in the world; the instructors are phenomenal, they grew up on these breaks and can read them like no one else can! And the video reviews are the secret sauce for Barefoot’s method. Our coaches understand through and through how to teach surfing and via the videos they’re able to identify the problem areas around my technique and stance, and with daily input I can use the following session I improved dramatically!

I got really scared mid week of the impact zone and they helped me get through the fear and I capped off the end of the week surfing the biggest waves I’ve ever ridden! It certainly would not have happened without them!

The breaks are nothing short of perfect (didn’t know a wave could be both powerful and soft!), the villa is comfy and inviting, Catalina’s food is wonderful, and the coaches and so cool and fun to hang with, and the house manager Sophie runs it all so seamlessly she makes it look like she’s hardly doing anything at all!

Ten out of five stars! We are DEFINITELY coming back!

Quantum leap in my surfing ! The barefoot retreat in Costa Rica blew away all my expectations - and these were super high! In years of surfing, I haven’t progressed as much as in this single week. I could fix so many details holding me back and surf my most beautiful waves ever ! The tailored coaching by the top-notch and truly dedicated barefoot team made all the difference. Their perfectly thought-through tools - video analysis is so powerful !!! - are highly effective, and beyond the progress made during the retreat, I feel equipped to continue progressing by myself for years until I can join a next retreat ! Guiones dream beach & surroundings, our cosy accommodation and delicious food made the time out of water feel like a tiny paradise. Last but not least, sharing this week with lovely people from all parts of the world around a common passion made it an enriching and unforgettable experience.

Exactly the kind of surf coaching I’ve been looking for. Had an amazing time surfing in Playa Guiones with the Barefoot crew. I learned a lot from the coaches both in the water and through the video reviews. The coaches are methodical and thorough and I ended the week with a personal breakthrough.

The lodgings were beautiful and walking distance to the beach. Nosara is beautiful with a laid back vibe. Every meal I ate was delicious. I wish I had stayed an extra week.

I’ll definitely be back next year!

This was exactly the surf trip I've been looking for! I've been on surf trips before and they were fun, but there was always a piece missing. Barefoot had all the pieces: Great surf sessions at a beach close by, awesome coaching, comfy and convenient lodging, good food, and camaraderie with fellow surfers as well fun social events (but also unscheduled time for souvenir shopping, catching up on emails or just plain downtime). I got so much more out of my trip than I would have figuring it all out on my own.

Amazing Trip (Improve Your Surfing!) This was the best trip I ever took. The instruction was detailed, carefully planned, individualized and resulted in real skill increases. The staff is amazing (special shout out to Naomi, Alice, Elin, Chris, François and Sammy). Outside of the surf coaching, the entire trip was well planned. A great balance of group dinners, yoga and plenty of open time for free surf. If I could, I would go back every single year.

Highly recommend for anyone who wants to learn surfing in beautiful, warm and safe waters with excellent guidance. Had an excellent surf camp with Barefoot Surf Travels team and other surfers in Nosara (Guiones) Costa Rica. Everything in operation worked really good. Nisara-Guiones is perfect for beginners to start and intermediate surfers to hone to improve. The video team on the beach made incredible work capturing practically every wave caught by all of us learners. Feedback from videos after surf sessions was really helpful. Made huge difference to see myself struggling with waves and understanding how to improve. When you add really good local surf couches who help reading waves, positioning and instruct you in the water, that made the best surfing learning experience so far. Have been learning surfing many years, but only one week in a year or less. Meaning always starting pretty much from the beginning. This camp gave me huge step forward👍

Liked also the friendly small village atmosphere in Guiones. Despite small there is surprisingly many quality places to eat.

The excellent pre-trip materials in Barefoot app made it easy to tune in before the trip and get some tips and theory for coming days in the water. Just needed to notice that app and teaching videos work offline/flight mode only if you have used it online before getting offline and not closed the app. Otherwise app would not work e.g. on the flight. Recommend to test this if you’re about to watch materials on your way to Costa Rica.

Highly recommend for anyone who wants to learn surfing in beautiful, warm and safe waters with excellent guidance.