The evidence-based therapeutic retreats are set-up to help clients address their trauma whilst offering them a chance to flourish and grow.
It is the the power of surfing, experiential group therapy, psycho-education, mindfulness and bonding in an intimate group of 10 -12 people that translate our healing goal into reality. We combine flow activities and group work in a progressive and efficacious way. We have clearly seen through our previous retreats that our clients often experience a deep therapeutic boost along with the acceleration of both understanding and recovery from some of their past traumas.
At Resurface we believe that it is the holistic approach of mind, body, science and fun, set in the confines of a small group in a safe environment that underline our success so far. Our aim is to facilitate turning traumas that unconsciously and negatively affect your behaviour and outlook on life today, into awareness supported by a portfolio of practical positive tactics, and a community of like minded ‘fellows’, to positively affect your life strategies and behaviours.
While we welcome everyone and have experience in treating a range of trauma related conditions, this program is particularly suitable to recovering addicts, PTSD sufferers, people with childhood issues and those frightened of life. We ask that people refrain from drinking or any form of using on the retreats to create a safe place for people to recover.
This is the core element that underlines and supports everything we do. There is a growing body of research and work that links the practice of surfing to a host of beneficial mental improvements, and it is our love of surfing that has provided the initial impetus to create Resurface.
The purpose of these daily interactive workshops and lectures is to explain and frame the basics for each day’s topic. Research shows that education alone has a therapeutic effect and is particularly empowering when part of a holistic program.
The deep potential impact of these sessions cannot be understated. We see again and again from past testimonies, powerful realisations and revelations unexpectedly happen to most of our clients during those sessions, enabling the ignition of major behavioural changes.While each session will have a volunteer main protagonist enact a scene from their past, enrolling the help of their ‘fellows’ to do so, it is often those witnessing these that will gain the most from the process.
So much written material is easily available about the practical benefits of integrating a mindfulness practice into our lives that we do not need to repeat it here. However, we do love the fact that neuroscience and technological advances in tomography are laying the scientific grounding and understanding that prove the benefits of this ancient practice.
This is perfectly in line with our goal to integrate scientifically proven facts to our interventions. If you have never before been able to meditate and feel it is not for you, these group sessions will give you practical and realistic tools and experience to do so if you wish to bring this marvellous practice into your life.
As well as making new fiends, group bonding and learning therapeutic skills, we hope that you will enjoy tasting much of Moroccan culture. On the mid-week rest day we take a trip up the coast to the fishing village of Imsouane, where there is the option of surfing a world class long-board wave and eating delicious grilled fish for lunch.
On the way we see some of the famous Moroccan waves (Boilers, Dracula, Tamri) as well as the Bedouin caves and the illustrious ninja goats.
At Resurface we believe that all our therapeutic interventions must be evidence-based and proven to work. As well as detailed assessment and onward referrals for those who want it, Our research shows significant decreases in anxiety and depression, and an increase in outlook after attending a Resurface retreat.
Josh is an accredited EMDR therapist, an accredited drugs and alcohol counsellor and a licenced Heartmath coach. He is the clinical director of the Resurface programme.
He has been working in private practice and as a consultant for Start2Stop since 2012 and has a special interest in treating trauma and promoting positive psychology. He is an experienced group facilitator, lecturer and public speaker.
He is currently training with The Flow Research Collective.
For more information please visit LinkedIn Page.
Dr. Kristine Steffenak - M.D./Yoga (cert.)
Kristine is a medical doctor with experience as both a GP and Obstetrics/Gyneacology, working in both the UK and Norway.
She completed her 200 hours yoga teaching in Kerala, India, in January 2019 and is certified by Yoga Alliance USA. Kristine is particularly interested in Trauma-focused yoga (TF-yoga).
Kristine is a keen photographer and her photos can be seen on the Resurface Instagram page.
Youness started surfing in Agadir, Morocco, in his early teens and quickly progressed to entering and winning competitions.
He gained his surf teaching qualifications in 2006 and has been a mainstay of surf instruction in and around Taghazout ever since. Youness has worked with some of the most famous surf schools including Surf Maroc, and continues to instruct and surf guide under his Surface moniker.
A 2012 Guardian article referred to him as "the best instructor they have ever had."
A special place to stay, away from the hustle.
The Resurface programme includes full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) sharing in a twin room at the guest house. We encourage participants to share rooms as part of the healing process. We hope that you will generate new connections, a sense of community and an opportunity to process the day's events with someone on a more private level.
Swell House is the story of a group of friends who decided to realize their dreams and share their love for surfing and yoga.Everything started a few years ago when we discovered surfing for the first time. Whilst it quickly became an obsession, we usually spent lots of time traveling to find surf, but still dreamt of a better life in the sun, far from the hustle of the city.
The intention behind this Swell House was to provide different areas for all travelers. This variety of atmospheres makes it a great house fulfilling every ones need and mood, whether you are a family on holiday or a digital nomad looking for place to concentrate.
7.15 am -8am - Optional yoga on the roof terrace
8-9am - Breakfast
9.15-10.15am - Lecture/workshop 'What is trauma?'
10.30 - 3pm Surf school (includes lunch on the beach)
3.30pm - 5.30pm - Experiential Group Therapy session
6-7pm - Body stretching, Mindfulness, Meditation
7.30pm - Dinner
7.15 am -8am - Optional yoga on the roof terrace
8-9am - Breakfast
9.15-10.15am - Lecture/workshop 'The need for Interoception'
10.30 - 3pm Surf school (includes lunch on the beach)
3.30pm - 5.30pm - Experiential Group Therapy session
6-7pm - Body stretching, Mindfulness, Meditation
7.30pm - Dinner
7.15 am -8am - Optional yoga on the roof terrace
8-9am - Breakfast
9.15-10.15am - Lecture/workshop 'Challenging your thinking'
10.30 - 3pm Surf school (includes lunch on the beach)
3.30pm - 5.30pm - Experiential Group Therapy session
6-7pm - Body stretching, Mindfulness, Meditation
7.30pm - Dinner
Day trip to the fishing village on Imsouane. This includes a bbq lunch, option to surf on a world class long-board wave, and taking in the sights including ninja goats, the Bedouin caves and famous surf spots including Dracula, boilers and Tamri.
7.15 am -8am - Optional yoga on the roof terrace
8-9am - Breakfast
9.15-10.15am - Lecture/workshop 'Letting go of the past'
10.30 - 3pm Surf school (includes lunch on the beach)
3.30pm - 5.30pm - Experiential Group Therapy session
6-7pm - Body stretching, Mindfulness, Meditation
7.30pm - Dinner
7.15 am -8am - Optional yoga on the roof terrace
8-9am - Breakfast
9.15-10.15am - Lecture/workshop 'Post-traumatic growth'
10.30 - 3pm Surf school (includes lunch on the beach)
3.30pm - 5.30pm - Experiential Group Therapy session
6-7pm - Body stretching, Mindfulness, Meditation
7.30pm - Dinner
9am - breakfast
10-1pm - rest, massage, shopping etc.
3pm - leave for the airport
We really recommend booking a hammam or massage on the Wednesday evening, once we come back from the day trip, or on Saturday morning before the return flight home.
The guests arrive the afternoon/evening of the Saturday. The programme starts the morning of the Sunday. There are five days of therapeutic activity, with the Wednesday a rest day from therapy. The Wednesday is a day trip to Imsouane, a fishing village up the coast, and includes the opportunity to see many sights and buy some Argan products.
Not at all. We welcome people of all abilities from complete beginners to seasoned professionals. In Morocco we work with the legendary Youness Arhbi.
No, all equipment is provided. Before the retreat starts we will contact you to measure up wetsuits and any other surf needs you might have. we have an array of soft and hardboards for you to use.
Please contact us to discuss which programme might be best for you.
In general terms, the trauma resolution retreat is more suited for those with specific issues, where as the resilience and flow retreat is best suited for those who want to make significant improvements to their lives.
Although sharing a room isn't compulsory, it is highly recommended. There is limited availability for single room occupancy and this accrues a higher price. Sharing rooms is standard practice on all our retreats and is usual throughout the industry. This allows for greater bonding, a sense of connection and community, and allows clients to off load in a more intimate way at the end of the day. We take great care in selecting appropriate room-mates and do our best to suit your needs.
It is not unusual for clients to become blocked in conventional therapy. This can take the form of evasion, resistance, changes in cognitive patterns and a general malaise or disappointment in the therapeutic process. Resurface offers a chance to give clients a boost or an accelerated change, away from the constraints of their regular life, and inject some new found enthusiasm into their lives. Often what is needed is a more holistic, integrative experience alongside that of 1-2-1 therapy to give a new context of understanding and a more creative approach to life.
The therapeutic approach at Resurface rests on the notion that we are an indistinct integration of body and mind, with any positive change in a client determined by looking at, accessing and invigorating both aspects of body and mind. Therefore we integrate evidence-based interventions that foster and develop both the cognitive and the somatic, concurrently expanding the introspective and interoceptive skills of each person attending.
The Resurface retreats are intensive and include interoceptive activities (TF-yoga and HRV training), psycho-education, body awareness and physical activity, flow states (surfing), experiential group therapy and mindfulness. Our aim is to return your client to you more engaged, energised, more hopeful, having let go of some of their heavy burdens and ready to progress in their therapeutic process with you.
On booking your stay on the programme we will contact you to gather any psychological and physical information that you wish us to have.
Yes. All participants need travel insurance to attend the retreats. Surfing is usually included in all travel insurance policies.
Yes, participants must be 18 or over unless accompanied by an adult.
The nearest airport is Agadir. Most clients will be arriving in the evening and all transfers are taken care of to and from Agadir.
You can also fly to Marrakesh and get a taxi from there (this is not included in the price). The taxi journey is about 3 hours.
We ask that people refrain from drinking or any form of using on the retreats to create a safe place for people to recover. If you are doing anything illegal we have the right to ask you to leave.
