Having made waves over the past few seasons in Kerala, Soul & Surf, specialist in surf and yoga retreats, is expanding with the launch of its first permanent location in Sri Lanka. Set to open in early November 2015, Soul & Surf Sri Lanka will be one of the only dedicated surf and yoga hotels on the island, offering week-long breaks designed to relax, rejuvenate and revitalise from just £775 per person.

Located on Sri Lanka's southern coast, between Galle and Weligama Bay, Soul & Surf Sri Lanka will offer guests tailor-made week long escapes incorporating expert surfing lessons with rejuvenation of the body and mind; including daily yoga sessions, guided meditation and massage. The island's wave-rich southern coast is an under-the-radar surfers' paradise, boasting clean, un-crowded waves ideal for surf fans of all abilities, with perfect swell-rich conditions to catch your first wave, find an A-frame or experience that elusive barrel.

A typical week will see guests welcome the day with an invigorating morning yoga session or head down to one of the many beautiful local beaches for morning surf coaching, whilst afternoons are dedicated to achieving some serious zen under the canopy of the yoga shala. Sunset surf sessions offer up the perfect way to draw in the evening, with guided meditation and Pranayama - the practise of controlling energy through the body - offered afterwards to help calm the body and mind.

Non-surfers are also well-catered for, as Soul & Surf offers week-long programmes for those less interested in surf and more interested in total relaxation, where one-to-one yoga sessions, meditation and Esalen massage take the place of daily surf activities. Traditional Sri Lankan cookery lessons are also offered to non-surfers, as well as the chance to explore the surrounding waterways with two guided canoe rides. 

Riverside Villas

Guests at the new retreat will have two beautiful riverside villas to call home, set within lush tropical gardens just 5 minutes inland from Ahangama beach. Housing 9 private bedrooms, rooms are light and airy with a Dutch-colonial influence evident in the simple yet stylish décor. The villas themselves centre around two sparkling pools, with communal living areas, covered pavilions and a large fire pit providing ideal spots to sit back with a sundowner after a long day in the surf.

A bespoke yoga shala with two treatment rooms is also just a stone's throw away, overlooking the river, whilst plenty of delicious and healthy food is on offer to ensure guests are nourished from within.

The new Sri Lankan retreat is the second permanent Soul & Surf venture for founders Ed and Sofie Templeton, having launched Soul & Surf Kerala two years ago and hosted successful pop-ups in Sri Lanka, Banda Aceh and the Andaman Islands over the past few seasons. With popularity for the Kerala hotel ever-growing, the city-escapees decided upon Sri Lanka as the perfect spot in which to expand; given its fantastic, wave-rich surf, spectacular natural landscape and laid-back vibe.

Owner Ed Templeton commented on the launch: “We're so excited that we can finally announce our new venture into Sri Lanka. Having visited the island on a number of occasions and run several pop-ups here, Sofie and I completely fell in love - not only with the beauty of the place, but with the fantastic surf on offer. Sri Lanka has an incredibly laid-back vibe which fits in perfectly with what we're trying to achieve through Soul & Surf; utter relaxation for our guests, with the opportunity to take time to sit back, relax in the sunshine and spend time doing activities that they love.”

What's Included

A standard retreat week is designed to appeal to those who want to combine surf with other activities, and includes; 7 nights accommodation; return airport transfers; breakfast, light lunch and three course evening meal; 5 x 2 hour morning surf coaching sessions; 5 evening sunset surf sessions; 2 video feedback sessions; 1 surf theory lesson; 7 day surfboard hire; Soul & Surf rash vest; 5 afternoon yoga sessions; 2 morning yoga classes; 1 Pranayama session; 1 guided meditation session; 1 guided SUP session or river canoe ride and fishing with bamboo rod. Prices start from £775 per person based on two sharing a double/twin room.

A 'non-surfer' retreat week is designed to appeal to those who would prefer to focus on yoga and meditation elements and includes; 7 nights accommodation; return airport transfers; breakfast, light lunch and three course evening meal; 5 afternoon yoga sessions; 2 morning yoga classes; 1 Pranayama session; 1 guided meditation session; one-to-one yoga session; spa treatment; Esalen massage; 2 guided SUP session or river canoe rides; Sri Lankan cooking class; guided local area bike ride or walk and fishing with bamboo rod. Prices start from £775 per person based on two sharing a double/twin room.

Solos

Where possible Soul & Surf offers the opportunity for 'same sex' room sharing. However single occupancy is also available – with the standard or non-surf week retreat starting from £1125.

Children (2-16 year olds) are welcome at Soul & Surf Sri Lanka, charged at £150 per child per week staying in an extra bed in an adults' room (food included). Children needing their own room will be charged at full adult price per week. Under 2s (in a cot in adults' room) stay for free. Group surf lessons are available for children aged between 6-16, though a parent or guardian must be in the water supervising their child at all times. Children under 12 must be able to demonstrate their swimming ability before taking part in any lessons. One-on-one lessons are also available at an additional rate. 

How to Get There

Colombo is the nearest international airport (2 hour drive) with regular flights from the UK. Soul & Surf includes return airport shuttle transfers to/from Colombo as part of each week-long package.  Flights are excluded in the packages. Retreats run weekly each Saturday from 31st October through to 30 April 2016.

Soul & Surf Kerala

Soul & Surf in Kerala will once again be opening its doors for the 2015/16 surf season, with prices starting from £189pp for a seven night stay based on two sharing.

To book or for further information, please visit www.soulandsurf.com. 

ENDS 

For more information please contact Fiona Reece or Emma Kent of Fiona Reece PR on 01242 806804 / fiona@fionareece.com / emma@fionareece.com