Gay Surf Week Turns Costa Rica’s Breaks Into A Welcome Party
The world of surfing has often felt like a closed club, dominated by a straight, hyper-masculine energy. For anyone who does not fit that specific mould, finding your footing can feel less about catching waves and more about deflecting awkward questions.
How can you relax into learning something new if you can’t be yourself? It’s a challenge that led to the creation of a new kind of surf retreat.
It all started with an uncomfortable question.
While learning to surf in Sri Lanka, the founder of Gay Surf Week was asked by his instructor, “Is that your girlfriend?” It was a small moment, but it highlighted a larger problem. He was in a country where his identity was criminalised, and he felt unable to be honest.
The experience sparked an idea for a space where people could show up exactly as they are and be celebrated for it.
This is more than just learning to surf…
Gay Surf Week was established to be an antidote to the typical “bro culture” found at many surf camps. The goal is not to produce an army of pro surfers, but to offer a space for people to relax, try something new, and connect with a like-minded community.
The retreats have attracted a diverse mix of the LGBTQIA+ community, including trans surfers, first-timers in their sixties, and people who have never even seen the ocean before. The real magic happens in the shared experience, from the group cheers for a newly caught wave to the late-night dance parties.
What does a week in paradise look like?
Hosted at Surf Synergy in Costa Rica, a country that was the first in Central America to legalise same-sex marriage, the retreats combine expert coaching with camp-like fun. Days are filled with surfing, restorative yoga, and optional activities like breathwork and ice baths.
Evenings are for movie nights, pool parties, and bonding over coconuts while watching the sunset. It’s an all-inclusive experience where everything from your airport transfers to your sunscreen is handled. To create an even more specialised space, Sapphic Surf Week was also launched as a retreat centred on LBT+ women.
Two retreats remain for 2025: Sapphic Surf Week from August 23 to 30 and Gay Surf Week from October 25 to November 1.
For more information and to check for special offers, you can contact them directly through their Instagram, @gaysurfweeks. Whether you are a total beginner or a seasoned surfer looking for your crew, this might be the sign you have been waiting for.
