Pointbreaks, longboards, watercolour, polaroid cameras, tagines, sunsets .. we have put together a retreat with all of our favourite things at one of our favourite waves in the world! Come and join us for a week long retreat immersed in the colours and sounds of Morocco.
Dates: 24 November to 1st December 2018 (FULL)
Location: Imesouane, Morocco
Price: From 1000 Euros
Art & Longboarding Retreat, Morocco from Surf Sistas on Vimeo.
LONGBOARDING
We have a selection of waves right on our doorstep that are great for all abilities and we can cater to beginner, intermediate and advanced longboarders on this retreat.
For intermediate and advanced surfers our coaching will be focused on longboard techniques, handling the bigger boards in the water, trimming along the wave, playing with movement on the board, understanding the mechanics of cross-stepping and nose-riding.
Beginners will learn the basics of surfing, how to position yourself on the board, catch waves and pop up, and importantly how to stay safe in the water. By the end of the trip we will be concentrating on your paddling, how to catch green waves, and turning.
The morning session each day will be a fully coached session with tuition tailored to your ability and inspired by our daily retreat theme. Most days there will also be the opportunity for a second guided surf session, free surfing with your coaches.
ART
Our creative programme includes watercolour, illustration, polaroid photography, surf photography and mixed media. We will be exploring our local environment and taking trips to the souks, local markets, other villages and the hammam to experience Moroccan life and take our creative inspiration.
Our goal is to learn and experiment with techniques and to enjoy the process of making art. There is no pressure to produce a masterpiece!
Our watercolour, illustration and mixed media sessions are led by Artist and longboarder Kara Sparkman. Click here to see Kara’s beautiful surf and ocean inspired work.
ITINERARY
Our retreat itinerary is formed around daily themes to draw together our surfing and creative activities.
Day 1 (Saturday) – Arrival
Settling in to your retreat home, a free surf with your coaches if time and energy levels allow, followed by sunset and a delicious welcome meal.
Day 2 (Sunday) – Gather
Morning surf with your coaches, understanding our local breaks, finding your level and setting achievable goals for the week. Beginner sessions or 101 refreshers for those that want/need them.
Home cooked lunch at the villa using locally sourced produce
An afternoon exploring the village with our cameras (iphones, polaroids, digital), capturing colours, composition, mood, filling our creative baskets with resources for the week ahead.
Sunset surf session for those who want to, a delicious evening meal at the villa and one of our favourite longboard movies on the screen.
Day 3 (Monday) – Balance
Our morning surf session will focus on choosing your line in the water and using sight to direct the body and board. We will explore cross-stepping and choosing the right section of the wave.
Home cooked lunch at the villa using locally sourced produce.
Our afternoon creative session will focus on composition and lines. We will be drawing and composing with pen, markers and watercolour crayons, achieving balance in composition and mood through line quality.
Sunset free surf with your coaches and dinner out in the village.
Day 4 (Tuesday) – Control
For our surf session this morning we will be setting individual goals relating to control with our coaches. For example when to start to cross-step, when to cut back .. or for our beginners when to relinquish control and take a risk.
Lunch at the villa followed by an afternoon of watercolour with Kara. Lessons on watercolour techniques (washes, wet into wet, dry into wet, dry brush, letting the paint organically mix on paper). When to assert control and when to let go. Observing when we overwork a piece and when we can use glazing techniques to introduce depth and tonality.
Day 5 (Wednesday) – Fear
For our morning surf lesson we will be looking our surfing fears in the face, taking risks and moving out of our comfort zone. Taking off deeper, walking sooner, aiming lower or higher, cutting back.
We will be visiting Essouaira for the day to find visual treasures with our cameras or purchasing small items to contribute to collage making.
Our art work on Thursday will be collage, taking risks with our artwork, cutting it up, identifying successful or unsuccessful areas, applying strong colour..
A delicious evening meal back at our retreat home.
Day 6 (Thursday) – Grace
Our surf session today is all about personal style. When & how to use arms for balance and style. An emphasis on not seeking perfection but embodying grace when life gets messy. What does being graceful in the water mean to you?
Lunch back at the villa and then out and about in Imesouane village with our sketch books, polaroid cameras, digital cameras or watercolour pads. A look at surf photography and capturing movement for anyone keen to explore that genre.
Sunset free surf and an evening meal out at a local restaurant
Day 7 (Friday) – Play
On our final full day in the villa we will be experimenting, putting everything together, finding the joy in the mishaps and being curious. Our surf will concentrate on just enjoying our final waves and our art session after a villa lunch will be mixed media. Compiling components from the week, making a mess without fear of consequence.
Our final evening meal will be at the villa with a fun gallery of our art.
Day 8 (Saturday) – Departures
Breakfast at the villa, a final surf and then airport transfers for onward journeys
ACCOMMODATION:
Our accommodation is a beautiful contemporary surf villa overlooking the infamous point du Imesouane.
The villa is divided into three apartments with a mix of double and twin rooms. Each apartment has a bathroom with shower and separate toilet. Max 4 persons per apartment. If you are coming solo opt for the private room or book the twin and we will match you up with a roomie.
The villa has a pool, communal lounge and dining areas, kitchen area and multiple outside terraces areas with views over the whole bay.
There is no wifi in the villa but it is available in two local cafes a couple of minutes walk from the villa. Wifi and mint tea!
Most of our meals will be prepared by our in-house chef, we can cater to dietary needs just let us know when you book.
IMSOUANE
We have chosen Imsouane as the base for this retreat due to its world famous longboarding wave, its spectacular setting and the real flavour of Morocco that it offers to get our creative juices flowing. We hope you find it as inspirational as we do, check out the gallery below for a sense of this stunning location ..
PRICES & WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Shared twin room – 1000 Euros per person
- Private occupancy double room – 1250 Euros per person*
Use www.xe.com to translate Euros to your own currency
Your Art & Longboarding retreat includes:
- 7 nights accommodation in a beautiful contemporary surf villa
- Delicious healthy breakfast every day
- Healthy and nutritious lunches every day
- 5 family style evening meals cooked by our in-house chef
- Daily surf coaching and guiding tailored to your ability
- Daily taught/guided art sessions
- Day trip to Essouaira
- Use of all necessary art materials
- Use of polaroid cameras
- A pack of polaroid film
- Surf Sistas goody bag
- Surf Sistas host on hand 24/7 to help you maximise your Moroccan experienceEXTRAS:
- Surfboard rental (80 Euros)
- Photographs of your surfing & the retreat (50 Euros)
- Airport transfers from Agadir (40 euros each way), Essouaira (40 Euros each way), Marrakech (60 Euros each way). Please note that we will try to match you with other guests on similar flights to share transfers, so please ask when you book.
BOOK NOW
THIS TRIP IS NOW FULL – As an alternative check out the Longboard Retreat 17-24 Nov, Imsouane, Morocco
Booking is easy, use the paypal links below select the room type you prefer and book your spot. Choose to pay a 50% deposit (remainder due 6 weeks prior to the trip) or the full payment. You can pay using a paypal account or via credit/debit card.
Once we have received your deposit or full payment we will email you through a booking confirmation with all the information you need about the retreat including what to bring. As soon as you have made your international flight/travel plans we will arrange your transfers with you.
Please click here to view our terms and conditions
We love questions so any queries, thoughts or worries just let us know and we will do our best to help.