Nestled between the lush rainforest and warm waves above Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast, Surf Synergy is a wellness retreat that blends surf, yoga, and community.
Co-founded by Costa Rican bio-hacker and SUP champion Marcel Oliviera along with Rich and Gina Naha, Surf Synergy was created for guests to reset their rhythm and reconnect through nature, daily movement, and rest. The retreat’s holistic approach combines expert 1:1 surf coaching with yoga, breathwork, and recovery practices to support a more sustainable path to wellness, rooted in simplicity and community.
Named Travel + Leisure’s #1 Destination Spa in the World, Surf Synergy continues to grow as a destination for integrated wellness and intentional living.
What was the inspiration behind Surf Synergy?
Rich Naha: Surfing entered my life later than most, and at a moment when it was most needed. A health wake-up call forced me to slow down, listen and rethink how I was living. Through an incredible group of healers in Costa Rica, I began rebuilding my health. Surfing quickly became more than recreation; the time in nature and daily movement became my “why.” It gave me something to train for, an opportunity to care for my body and to stay present. Every healthy choice suddenly had purpose. Surf Synergy was born from that experience. I wanted to create a wellness retreat where people could reconnect with nature, rediscover joy through movement and build a sustainable, inspiring relationship with their health. At its core, Surf Synergy is about community, simplicity and helping people feel fully alive in the water and in their lives.
What makes Surf Synergy stand out as a surf & yoga retreat?
Our programming is designed to bring guests into a flow state through an experience that approaches wellness holistically. Expert surf coaching connects guests with fellow wave riders while building skill, and our wellness workshops and clinics support both body and mind. Our hospitality team creates the container for it all. Longevity begins with community. When guests challenge themselves in the surf or on wellness practices, they naturally connect with others on the same journey. Our experience creates space for these authentic bonds to form.
What kind of experience do you hope your guests leave with?
We want guests to leave feeling inspired and accomplished after a week of learning and growing in and out of the water. Surf Synergy offers 7-night retreat programs throughout the year, each designed as a full-circle experience that blends surf, yoga and recovery-based wellness practices with time to rest, reflect and reconnect. With just 14 rooms, Surf Synergy’s vision is for guests to not only reset and reconnect with themselves, but to leave with deeper connections to the people they traveled with and surfed alongside.
How does yoga fit into your larger vision of wellness, and why was it important to make it a core part of the Surf Synergy experience?
Yoga and surfing are an ideal balance. Both require presence, breath, and finding flow. Our daily classes range from vinyasa to restorative, depending on the day's activities. The classes are designed to care for your body, quiet your mind, and support rest. It's foundational to how we approach wellness holistically.
Why did you choose to partner with Manduka?
We chose Manduka because they share our commitment to sustainability and longevity. Their PRO® mats support our daily programming—from dynamic vinyasa flows after morning surf sessions to grounding restorative practices in the evening. When you're practicing consistently, quality equipment matters. Manduka delivers mats that are made to last, an investment that aligns with our wellness philosophy.
Connect and Learn More
Website: www.surfsynergy.com
Instagram: @surfsynergy
All photography courtesy of Surf Synergy.
Interested in bringing Manduka into your retreat, resort or wellness space? Learn more about our Hotel & Spa Equipment Program and how to partner with us.
