Mindful Shredding Retreat

Connect with a stoked group of wave hounds for a week full of land and ocean fun.

In collaboration with:

Meditate. Surf. Play. Repeat.

Surf your heart out

Our top priority is getting on as many quality waves as possible. Which is why we’re collaborating on this one with DJ and surf coach extraordinaire Mika aka “Swedish Rebel”.

Ecuadorian waves are known for their variety, and we’ll have the opportunity to explore left points, right points, and beach breaks of all sizes and strengths. It all depends on the swell, wind, and tides which we’ll read carefully every day.

Beginners, intermediates, and advanced surfers are all welcome, and everyone will receive personalized instruction and even slow motion video analysis to help them take their wave riding abilities to the next level.

Surf your heart out

Our top priority is getting on as many quality waves as possible. Which is why we’re collaborating on this one with DJ and surf coach extraordinaire Mika aka “Swedish Rebel”.

Train in the mindful ways of the ocean

Guiding you through this retreat are two highly qualified meditation, movement, & breathing teachers, who will share some of their best techniques for getting you prepared for the ocean.

Every day of the retreat will include a morning training session in a rainforest-encased shala overlooking the ocean where we’ll learn a variety of surf-specific practices rooted in mind, body, and breath.

Train in the mindful ways of the ocean

Guiding you through this retreat are two highly qualified meditation, movement, & breathing teachers, who will share some of their best techniques for getting you prepared for the ocean.

Celebrate and connect with a stoked crew

We’ll be cultivating good vibes the whole time, with a diverse set of land activities ranging from a traditional cacao ceremony to a private party in the jungle with our outstanding DJ Swedish Rebel.

Every delicious freshly prepared meal will be shared together with our tight-knit group. Who knows, you might even meet your next best surf buddy who’s going to travel the world with you in search of epic waves.

Celebrate and connect with a stoked crew

We’ll be cultivating good vibes the whole time, with a diverse set of land activities ranging from a traditional cacao ceremony to a private party in the jungle with an outstanding DJ Swedish Rebel.

Live in a little piece of paradise

Live in our brand new retreat center, perched on a rainforest-covered hill surrounded by nature in all directions.

In the mornings, walk a few steps from your bed to check the surf, and in the evenings, enjoy panoramic views of the sunset.

Down the road lies the peaceful surf village of Ayampe, where expats from all over the world come together with locals to enjoy a tranquil way of living next to the ocean.

Live in a little piece of paradise

Live in our brand new retreat center, perched on a rainforest-covered hill surrounded by nature in all directions.

In the mornings, walk a few steps from your bed to check the surf, and in the evenings, enjoy panoramic views of the sunset.

Down the road lies the peaceful surf village of Ayampe, where expats from all over the world come together with locals to enjoy a tranquil way of living next to the ocean.

The following is included in the price:

SURF

Daily Shred Sessions

Head to the best waves in the area, and experience the magic of uncrowded, warm water Ecuadorian lineups.
(Optional) 4 Detailed Lessons

Receive detailed lessons on land and in the water from our passionate and experienced instructors.
2 Video Analysis Sessions

Record your waves, then sit down with the group later to do slow motion technique analysis. Discover what you need to get to the next level.
Transportation To And From The Waves

Chill out while we find the best spots based on swell, wind, and tides, then take you there and back.
Surfboard Rental

Find the board that's best for your level at a local surf shop, and switch between boards whenever we visit town.

PRACTICE

7 Mindfulness Meditation Sessions

Start the morning in a bamboo shala surrounded by the sounds of the rainforest and pay attention to the present moment.
7 Guided Breathwork Sessions

Learn to prepare your nervous system for the ocean with a variety of surf-specific intentional breathing techniques.
7 Surf Mobility Trainings

Get the body opened up and ready to go with a variety of targeted mobility-enhancing movements and flows.
5 Yin Yoga Sessions

Relax into some well deserved guided rest and recovery after a long day of shredding.

PLAY

1 Ecstatic Dance

Immerse yourself in the deep beats of a mindful, ecstatic dance session.
1 Cacao Ceremony

Experience the magic of raw chocolate in ceremonial form, sourced from the Amazon rainforest.
1 Jungle Party

Finish the week strong with a wild fiesta in the jungle hosted by the legendary DJ Swedish Rebel.

STAY

7 Days (6 Nights) Accommodation

Live in a shared space at the brand new B.E.L.L. Center on a rainforest-covered hill above the peaceful coastal village of Ayampe.
3 Meals per day

Stay energized every day with freshly prepared, healthy local cuisine enjoyed communally.

Mikaela aka "Swedish Rebel"

When it comes to dedicating your life to the beach, Mikaela serves as a shining example.

Her quest for uncrowded waves and good vibes brought her to the island of Sri Lanka several years ago, where she built her own uniquely awesome surf camp (Lanka Living) which grew to impressive levels of popularity amongst travelers from around the globe.

Sharing surfing with others has always been her passion, and with 10 years of teaching surf (in Portugal, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Guatemala, & El Salvador) plus ISA Level 1 & 2 certification, she’s exactly the one you want giving you pointers.

When she’s not getting her hair salty in the ocean, she’s making everyone’s skin salty on the dance floor with her deep beats (as DJ Swedish Rebel). Always with the intention of allowing everyone around her to enjoy the present moment, and express themselves to their fullest.

When it comes to dedicating your life to the beach, Mikaela serves as a shining example.

Kolin "The Kutback Kid"

Kolin prefers a nice cutback to almost any other type of maneuver. When asked about his reasoning, he simply responds “why go one direction on a wave when you can go two?”

Several years ago, while pursuing a passion for climbing mountains and writing software, a friend finally convinced him to give surfing a try. Fast forward to the present day, and he’s given up almost everything else in life to ride waves on a daily basis.

His deep love story with the ocean has taken him to a long list of waves on 6 different continents. You can find him on different boards with different fin setups almost every day, always seeking a fresh feel and the perfect combination of equipment to conditions.

Oh, and he also loves meditating. Almost as much as surfing. Which is why he built The B.E.L.L. Center overlooking the ocean and designed it to be absolutely optimal for both of his favorite activities. More on Kolin here.

Kolin prefers a nice cutback to almost any other type of maneuver. When asked about his reasoning, he simply responds “why go one direction on a wave when you can go two?”

Anna "Beach Break Banana"

Look out at the waves rolling over the Ayampe sandbars around high tide, and you’re likely to see Anna floating casually in her natural habitat.

Anna’s stoke for surfing has taken her back and forth across the world for several years. She’s been (supposedly) diagnosed with a medical condition that causes her to get sick if she’s away from a coastline with waves for too long, which is why she finally decided to settle down in Ecuador and help open The B.E.L.L. Center.

Her land passions extend deep into the realms of yoga and other mind/body/breath practices where she froths over studying and teaching a variety of techniques that can be extremely useful in the ocean.

Her life philosophy is essentially that you can die at any moment, so you might as well make the most of everything that’s happening now. The loving, playful energy she emits is contagious, and makes you want to just enjoy life too. More on Anna here.

Look out at the waves rolling over the Ayampe sandbars around high tide, and you’re likely to see Anna floating casually in her natural habitat.

Ever dreamed of sleeping in a rainforest overlooking the ocean?

Well now you can! And in style too!

The B.E.L.L. Center is located near the cozy coastal town of Ayampe, Ecuador and offers an exceptionally unique environment for a retreat.

Our brand new structure is designed to blend into the sights, sounds, and smells of nature all around, where you can wake up, walk a few steps from bed, and gaze down the mountain to check the surf.

For this retreat, you’ll be sharing your living space with the other retreat participants. However, everyone will have their own bed, as well as space to store belongings.

How much does the retreat cost?

To inquire about pricing, submit an application.

We’ll reach out to you shortly after with more information and details on pricing and availability.

Do I need experience with surfing?

Not at all! We’ll be offering a variety of teachings from targeted lessons to video analysis to help you learn how to catch waves and grow a passion for the ocean.

If you’re an intermediate or advanced surfer, we’ll make sure to get you on the right waves for your level too. Depending on the levels in the group, we might split up when we choose surf spots to make sure everyone is surfing the kind of waves they can get a thrill from.

What kinds of waves will we be surfing?

One of the beautiful things about Ecuadorian surfing is we have a large variety of waves on offer.

Beach breaks of all shapes and sizes, as well as point breaks running right and left can be found in plenty along the coastline.

We’ll make sure to find the absolute best waves available on any given day based on the level of the participants as well as the current conditions (swell, wind, tides, etc).

Most days we will surf waves within several minutes of driving from The B.E.L.L. Center, but if we get lucky and the right kind of swell comes through, we will consider and discuss the possibility of a longer day trip to an epic wave.

When is the surf season in Ecuador?

Waves can be found year round on the Ecuadorian coast, and when the waves are best depends on where exactly you’re located. Ecuador is full of microclimates that can have an effect on local conditions.

In the Ayampe area, the best waves generally occur from December – May. We planned this retreat for March because it’s one of the most likely months to have pumping swell coming from the south (and maybe even the north, if we’re lucky).

This means many breaks around here should be working well, opening up tons of possibilities for epic shredding.

Should I bring my own surfboard?

This is totally up to you. If you’re comfortable on your own board and don’t mind traveling with it, we’d recommend bringing it along!

Otherwise, we will have boards here available for you to rent (free of charge…unless of course you damaged them).

We’ll be visiting a local center here that rents boards, and while they generally have a large selection, it cannot be guaranteed that they’ll have any specific size at any specific time.

So if you are very particular about what kind of board you like to surf, we’d recommend bringing your own. We will have space to store your boards at our center.

What is mindfulness and how will we be using it?

This isn’t your standard surf retreat. At The B.E.L.L. Center, we base everything we do on the concept of mindful awareness.

Sound too scary or hippy for you? Think again. Mindfulness is quickly becoming a cornerstone of mental health all over the world, and is no longer limited to just spiritual settings.

At The B.E.L.L. Center, we like to train people in this useful skill in a practical way that’s easy to learn and clearly beneficial. During this retreat, it will involve a daily morning practice where we guide you through different trainings of mind, body, and breath, all aimed at helping you catch more waves and appreciate the ocean on another level.

At some point, we will even share some tips on how we use mindful awareness to enhance other aspects of our lives such as partying late into the night…

How many other people will be attending?

For each week-long session, there will be a maximum of 8 surfers (and 3 guides). This will ensure everyone has time to get personalized instruction in the water and during all of the trainings.

The small group size will also help everyone to connect with each other, and make some awesome surf buddies for life.

Is the accommodation private or shared?

For this retreat, you will have your own bed in a shared space (shared bathrooms as well). Both shared rooms have a view of the ocean right outside the door.

Can I arrive earlier or extend my stay?

Sure! If you want more time to be surrounded by the magical vibes of The B.E.L.L. Center and experience the Ecuadorian coast, just reach out to us as soon as possible to check on availability.

Can I receive a refund for my deposit or payment if something happens?

Unfortunately not. Due to the amount of planning involved for this retreat and the small number of participants, we cannot offer refunds on any money paid.

We recommend purchasing travel insurance if you are coming from far away to mitigate the risk of not being able to attend.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

No problem! Just shoot us a message after you register with information about your restrictions, and we will plan the meals accordingly to accommodate you.

Is transportation to the center included?

No, you will be responsible for your travel. We recommend purchasing travel insurance in case of unknown circumstances that make it difficult for you to attend.

See below for advice and guidance on how to get here.

When exactly does the retreat start and end?

The retreat begins in the middle of the day on the start date, and ends in the afternoon on the finishing date. Exact times will be sent out after registration.

If you are flying internationally or driving from far away, plan to arrive the day before, and you can either stay at The B.E.L.L. Center the night before the start date (for an additional fee) or book accommodation close by.

What do I need to bring?

The most important thing to bring is stoke and good vibes.

We’d also recommend the following:

Clothing for tropical weather
Light long sleeves and pants for bug protection
Rain coat
Mosquito spray
SUNSCREEN (& zinc)
Cash in USD for travel (there are no ATMs in Ayampe)

How do I get to The B.E.L.L. Center?

You be surprised how simple it is to get around Ecuador.

Modern, air conditioned bus routes allow you to access most of the country in an affordable and relatively easy way.

Follow the detailed instructions below to get to The B.E.L.L. Center:

If coming from outside of Ecuador, fly into Guayaquil International Airport (GYE).

OPTION #1: BUS ($7)

From the GYE airport, walk or take a short taxi to the Terminal Terrestre, then find the Cooperativa Libertad Peninsular ticket office and purchase a ticket to Olon. These buses are comfortable and spacious, and run approximately every hour.

From Olon, you can take a taxi (for $15) or any bus heading north to the town of Ayampe (for less than $2). This takes around 30 minutes.

OPTION #2: TAXI ($100)

From the GYE airport, hire a private taxi to take you the entire way from Guayaquil to Ayampe.

When you reach Ayampe, give us a call and we’ll come pick you up!

If for some reason you’d like to find your way to the center yourself, follow these detailed instructions:

The easiest way to access The B.E.L.L. Center from Ayampe is with a $1 taxi up the hill. If you’re feeling ambitious, you can also walk the 2 km and 150 vertical meters.

To find The B.E.L.L. Center from the town of Ayampe, head north on the main road towards Puerto Lopez. Pass the bridge and the small town of Las Cabañas. When you see the sign for “La Reserva” continue on the main road until you reach the second unmarked entrance road on the right-hand side (GPS coordinates -1.668638, -80.809599).

Turn right onto the small road and follow it uphill. At the bottom of the road, you will see tall trees on your left and bamboo on your right.

After 200 meters, you will pass a large bamboo gate, continue uphill for 400 meters more until you see the large green structure (GPS coordinates -1.663304, -80.804103).

Congrats! You made it to The B.E.L.L. Center!

Save your spot!

Reach out to us by filling in the information below, and we will get back to you with details on pricing and how to reserve your spot for this epic experience.