Recharge your energy and learn how to surf with Footour in Spain!*
11 Oct – 20 Oct 2019
All costs plus a shared room (membership included): 995€
We can accept up to 12 participants for this program. Thank you for understanding. 🙂
*this gateaway is aligned with the “Spin It Away” retreat -> both take place in the same location and time and the program is partially shared
The ultimate experience in Palmar, a little town on the west coast of Andalusia
Just imagine… the warm beach sand complemented by the sound of the breaking waves of the Atlantic ocean laying beside it. A sip of a tasty liquor… enough to let your thoughts drift away… How did Columbus feel when his expedition was about to depart from this land?
The “Surf It Away” program is designed to help the participants find new energy, ideas and perspectives by unplugging them from their daily routines and worries and shifting their focus to the stimuli around them. It gives them the tools to recharge their mind and body through sport, learning, discovery, art and engagement in the community. Say goodbye to the tired mind and body, forget the hours wasted on dating platforms & apps and prepare for real, human connections. Refresh your perspective and attitude with the help of our local hosts and the guidance of our teachers.
You and the fellow Footourists will be staying in a surf house with a swimming-pool near Palmar – a walking distance from the seaside. The house has a community kitchen and a terrace providing the perfect grounds for exchanging ideas, getting feedback and diving into inspiring topics of discussions that might help you take whatever you do -or are passionate about- to the next level.
The mornings will kick off with surf lessons with our instructors ready to give insights into the power and weaknesses of the sea. Learn how to catch the wave and how to “become the ocean” during these 4 powerful sessions after which nothing else but siestas shall follow. 🙂 No worries, everything will be provided from surfboards to wetsuits!
After the refreshing siesta, each day will bring more treats for the mind and body, all meant to help to recover from a stressful daily life. You will be asked to get ouf of your comfort zone and dip into local culture and tradition…
La Rubia had learned the art of flamenco directly from the „gitanos“ in the south of France, Jerez de la Frontera, Seville and Madrid. She has combined the traditional version of this art with the elements of contemporary dance. In harmony with Roberto´s live guitar and his „bolerias“ and „alegrias“, she will introduce the dance structure and explain the magic of this old art… and who knows, maybe you will be brave enough to try it yourself! 🙂 Later that night, we will watch other Flamenco performers, this time from the audience in one of the local peňas. Either way, you will have an unique opportunity to experience this powerful art and it’s mesmerising community – their music, cante, dance and way of living.
The local cuisine can’t be left out, so we will teach you how to prepare Salmorejo de Palmar (a traditional cold tomato soup with garlic), as well as other Andalusian summer delicacies. El señor Ramon, the eco wine and olive farmer will invite you to taste delicious grapes, olives, wines and engage in the process of their cultivation to learn about the tricks of the trade. And what about el viñero Victor? Will he reveal all of his secrets about the magic of sherry and manzanilla production? There’s so much to be seen, smelled and tasted!
As volunteers, we will help to preserve the local nature in order to pay Andalusia back for its hospitality. We, here at Footour, believe that life should be more about giving. We will meet several community representatives from nearby villages to learn what life in Andalusia is all about and assist the local NGO Respect The Sea in keeping the beaches in the area clean and free of plastic and other trash.
We will get to see the mesmerizing sunsets while walking through the white labyrinth of streets in Pueblos Blancos, around the Roman amphitheatre or the remains of the Phoenicians, Romans, Moors and other ancient cultures in this piece of land and learn about its history and heritage.
This trip is designed for those who care about the environment and want to protect it. It is for those who want to enhance their lives, support others in need and leave a positive footprint.
Does the above sound like you? Please check that we are a good match and that you’re a Footourists at heart (here) before you apply.
Write us an e-mail (info@footour.org) or use our online chat in case you have any further questions. We will be happy to hear from you!
Program details:
Membership fee (including all of the above plus a shared room): 995€
These prices include accommodation, surf and yoga lessons, all the workshops, outdoor activities and the transport on site. A travel insurance, meals and the travel means to Palmar from your place of residence are not included.
IMPORTANT! All our PROGRAMS ARE TENTATIVE (so they might be changed according to the local weather conditions and the wishes of the participants)
Program summary
You are ecouraged to take part in all the activities mentioned below however nothing is obligatory and you are free to skip anything you do not feel comfortable with. You do not need any prior knowledge or experience to take part in any of the workshops and activities mentioned below:
- pick up from the Malaga airport
- accommodation in a surf house with a community kitchen near Palmar: 7 nights
- surfing lessons with instructor and equipment: 8 hours (don´t worry, you don’t need any prior experience)
- hatha yoga: 2 lessons
- a visit to Baleo Claudia – former Roman settlement – study and contemplation time: one half-day
- a presentation of white villages Vejer de la Frontera, Medina Sidonia seen through the eyes of locals: one day
- Cádiz, Jerez or Sanlúcar de Barrameda: one day
- preparation of Andalusian specialties: some days
- classes in the environmental activities, socio-cultural initiatives and the NGO sector in Andalusia: 3 hours
- workshop in eco vineyard and olive tree farm: 4 hours
- sherry workshop in the Bodega with sherry and manzanilla tasting: one half-day
- flamenco workshop: 2 hours
- flamenco performance: 1 hour
- 1 year Footour Membership