Emerge: A Surf Therapy Retreat for the Soul
By Kristin Mathes, LCSW, Founder of Emerge
We had twelve women join us on retreat in Costa Rica for a week immersed in the jungle right off the western coast where warm surfing waves kiss the shore all year round. We woke up to toucans bouncing from the tree tops and monkeys coming up to our breakfast tables. We surfed glassy waves all week long, belly laughed, and drank from coconuts. But this retreat was deeply special for a few reasons.
Unlike many surf retreats around the world this retreat was designed for beginner surfers, newer surfers, and folks who had never surfed before. Participants were risk takers, independent, bad ass adventurers. But they were also women who were carrying their own fears of the ocean, anxiety about body image, ability, age, perfectionism, histories of panic, trauma, and more. Each of them from different corners of the world and vastly different life experiences were looking to shed the self limiting beliefs, doubt, and the fears getting in the way of their lives. They did not just come to enjoy piña coladas and cute surf instructors. They came to reclaim their confidence, self love, and undeniable power to live life on their own terms through the magic of surfing.
This retreat was designed and hosted by Kristin Mathes, a licensed therapist and founder of Emerge Surf and Somatic Therapy. Kristin splits her time living between Oregon, USA and Costa Rica. She believes that Mother Nature is one of her best co-guides in life and on any adventure. With experience as a wilderness therapist and guide, Kristin tailored workshops, surf journals, and discussions together on this retreat to create a special environment that allowed participants to step out of their comfort zone comfortably, build authentic relationships with one another, and listen to the self-reflections that Mother Ocean offered as we learned to surf the waves together.
We know that surfing by itself is inherently therapeutic, just as any outdoor activity can be. But there is a creative dance to weaving together therapy and surfing into a peak experience that offers potential to be a catalyst for big life changes. Thanks to GroundSwell Community Organization, Kristin received training in Surf Therapy for Trauma Recovery and the Surf Therapy Facilitator training which allowed her to support women in not only learning how to surf, but to integrate the lessons of the ocean into their bodies, minds, and lives back home.
““I always knew the ocean held endless mystery, but I didn’t realize how much of my own inner world it would bring to the surface. Surfing pushed me past fear, quieted my overthinking, and showed me what it truly means to let go- stop trying so hard, think of nothing, and just be. And in that surrender, I found something I didn’t even know I was looking for - pure, unfiltered joy. Fully present, fully alive, fully FREE.””
As we gathered a few weeks after the retreat together on a zoom call to support participants integrating back home - the stories that came in were profound. Women finding their voice in relationships, taking control back of their decision making and life circumstances, making changes that align with their purpose and joy, finding trust and acceptance with their bodies, and learning to dance with the unknown.
Emerge was not just a surf retreat, but an experience for the soul. One that we hope to not only recreate, but continue to improve to serve future participants better. For this reason we are also working with Dr. Christine Norton, co facilitator and researcher, to conduct a research study examining the impact of surf therapy with our program. This research aims to uncover the profound benefits of surf therapy for adult women on emotional regulation, somatic awareness, and transforming shame and self-perception. At Emerge Surf and Somatic Therapy we are dedicated to understanding the impact of our programs on participants and continuing to create waves of positive impact in our community.
Contact Details:
Emerge Surf and Somatic Therapy
Instagram: @emerge_surftherapy