Resurface Retreats - Morocco
tamraght, morocco
Evidence-based surf therapy retreats to help you flourish and heal
Resurface Retreats in Morocco are group one-week physical and psychological overhauls, and shorter bespoke personalised retreats, that combine surfing and therapy in the Moroccan sunshine. Warmth and lovely beaches provide a rejuvenating backdrop to sessions designed to help you overcome your limiting beliefs and physical limits and teach you how to live more fully. This is recharge for life and a launch-pad for life change.
our Reviewer Nirpal Dhaliwal says:
‘Having spent so long being miserable, experiencing a bit of flourishing and learning to let go of my residual pessimism seemed exactly like what I needed. It was incredibly moving to see these people bravely confront their pain honestly and head-on, and it renewed my faith in the human spirit’
Queen of Retreats says:
‘The experience on these retreats is intimate and challenging, but not invasive or overwhelming. You’ll be very well taken care of by Joshua Dickson, an avid surfer and practising trauma therapist and clinical psychologist specialising in anxiety, depression, relational issues and addiction. There’s a midweek visit to Imsouane - arrive earlier or stay later if you want to see more of the country’
Experiences
Retreats on offer include Peak Performance and Building Resilience, which are for strivers who want to transform into their greatest version of themselves, and Trauma Resolution, which helps manage traumatic symptoms.
Personal Intensives use EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) therapy and NSDR (non-sleep deep rest), along with other signature Resurface approaches to move you forwards.
Each retreat has a similar format, efficiently packing many activities into each day but including downtime for treatments, relaxing and soaking up the sun. Emotional and physical conditions are handled sensitively.
You’ll practise yoga on the guesthouse terrace in a gentle, candle-lit class as the sun rises. That’s followed by a psychology talk, a two-hour surfing session, a seaside picnic lunch and interactive group work, in which you work through a deeply held emotional issue with role-play from the other guests.
The day’s emotional and physical work is concluded with a stretching yoga class to unwind muscles and release tensions from the surfing and therapy work, and a deep rest session. You’re encouraged to book a hammam in the spa, mid-week.
Spaces
Riad Dar Haven is a charming and discreet traditional guesthouse with a relaxed family-owned vibe. It has stone floors, carved wood fixtures, and plenty of space.
A roofless courtyard which brings ‘outside’ air to the interior is a beautifully kept oasis surrounded by vines, a view of the sky and a small but deep pool to swim in. You eat in the communal dining area beside the pool.
Workshops take place in a comfortable, spacious room. The broad rooftop terrace provides a quiet space with views towards the Atlantic.
Bedrooms are intimate and peaceful. Sleep in a beautiful traditional Moroccan suite with Arabesque shutters, Maghrebi furniture, quilted bedding, and an en-suite slate-stone bathroom. The bedroom windows overlook the courtyard where a flock of songbirds alight each night to sing a chorus.
Sustenance
Breakfasts are simple and filling, with breads, honey, jams and eggs. Lunch might be a chicken or fish-based dish with couscous.
Dinners are a three-course Moroccan event, with starters that include delicious lentil and pumpkin soups and spicy fish samosas. Skewered kebabs made from minced fish, lamb and beef, served with rice or sizzling tagines follow.
Vegetarian options such as vegetable tagines and chickpea salads are available if you ask in advance.
The entire week is alcohol-free. There are plenty of herbal teas, and Moroccan mint tea is served every afternoon. Coffee is available but bring your own if you’re passionate about it, as the hotel brew is instant and mediocre.
Riad Dar Haven, Tamraght, Morocco
Resurface Retreats
Resurface Retreats runs a roster of solo and group therapy retreats in Morocco, England, Costa Rica and the USA in The Americas. Led by psychologist Joshua Dickson and his trusted team, the evidence-based retreats blend surfing with resilience-building and getting through trauma. They are ideal for anyone suffering from addiction, depression or anxiety.