A surf retreat that fosters inner confidence & connection
Reconnect Surf & Yoga Retreat
Lobitos Peru
May 17-24 & Sept 28-oct 5 2026
RECONNECT is surf retreat for those ready to drastically improve their surfing and embrace the mystical within and around them.
for beginner to intermediate surfers
8 days, small group, trauma informed & all inclusive
The outcomes were way more than what I expected! I improved surf, but more than that, reflected on deep stuff and reconnected with a part of me that I thought was gone forever!
This retreat deeply changed me, this experience helped me reconnect with the part of myself that sees beauty everywhere: in imperfection, in the unconventional, in what doesn’t quite fit the mold. It felt as if I had found my glasses again; suddenly, everything came back into focus.
Stephanie
How We Work
Beginner Surfers Will Learn
01
How to Pop Up
We will work with you to create the correct way to stand up on your board for your level, ability and body type.
02
How to Surf a Wave
Start feeling the energy of the wave, ride down the line and learn how to maneuver the board.
03
Surf Culture & Etiquette
We will explore the proper way to share the ocean with other surfers, explain how to read waves, and all the other in between stuff!
Surfers with Experience Can Expect to
01
Improve Technique & Performance
Start working on the natural progression of your surfing. Learn how to generate speed on the board, make turns and more.
02
Unlearn Old Habits
We all pick up habits over the learning curve that serve us for a while but hold us back later. We’ll help you work on kicking those in order to see big improvements.
03
Level Up the Mindset Game
Surfing is just as much mental and emotional as it is physical. We’ll share the best strategies to help improve confidence and overcome mental blocks.
We know surfing can be frustrating, and just like in life progress isn’t always linear. Reconnect is a retreat for those who want to go deeper with their surfing experience, who want to improve, feel more confident and create a relationship with the ocean
“Reconnect Surf Retreat exceeded all expectations I had for a week surfing in Peru thanks to Leah’s detail oriented vision to make a truly holistic experience for female surfers to better their surf and themselves. The surf coaches were so patient, helpful and great communicators.
Yoga with Leah was exceptional. Buena vista accommodations & two fresh pescatarian meals a day pushed the whole experience to a whole other food level too – incredible!”
Kelly – November 2025 Participant
What’s Included
Private Accomodation
7 nights accomodation in a private room in Hotel Buena vista, where the retreat is based out of. It is a 5 minute walk to the main surf break, has a small pool, gym, wifi and hot water.
Guided Surf Sessions
Included in the retreat are 6 surf sessions with our Reconnect Coaches. Our student to instructor ratio is 2:1 and students receive personalized instruction and feedback over the week.
Yoga & Reconnect Sessions
We gather to practice yoga each afternoon as a way to connect to ourselves and our experiences. Our signature Reconnect Mentoring Sessions help us dive even deeper.
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are taken care of and centered around healthy, local ingredients. Please let us know of any dietary restrictions, or allergies upon booking. Meals are designed to provide energy for daily surf and yoga sessions and help aid in recovery in between sessions.
Surf Analysis & Footage
Each surf sessions is filmed. Three times per week we will review our surf footage with Bruno, our head surf coach where each person will receive personalized feedback. Your footage is yours to keep after the retreat.
Activities
Some evenings we will explore our favorite sunset spots including a visit to the mystical caves, las Capullanas. In between sessions there are options to book treatments such as acupuncture and massage.
Logistics, Cost & Agreements
Travel
Guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements. Once arriving in Peru via Lima you will need to take a domestic flight to Talara (TYL). We will arrange a private taxi pick up for you upon arrival. An overnight bus is also an option from Lima however it takes about 17 hours.
Cost & Payment
The total cost of this retreat is $1800 USD per person. A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to secure a place and the remaining amount ($1300) must be paid 30 days before the retreat’s commencement. All payments are non refundable and non-transferable.
Travel Interruptions
We are not responsible for flight/ trip cancellations or delays. Travel insurance & travel medical insurance are highly recommended.
What’s Included
7 Nights accommodation in a private room in the boutique Hotel Buena Vista
All Meals: starting from lunch on arrival day and breakfast on departure day
6 Guided surf sessions with coaching based on your level
3 Surf analysis sessions with footage review
6 Yoga Classes
6 Empowerment Mentoring Sessions
Surf footage from each day
Airport pickup upon arrival
Want to chat before you book?
Send me an email or a message on WhatsApp!
Next Steps
Ready for an Adventure?
- Secure your spot with a deposit
- The remaining balance may be paid anytime up to 30 days before the retreat’s commencement.
On the sign up page, select which payment you are making by adjusting the ‘quantity’ either for the deposit or to pay the remaining balance
Dates not lining up for you? We offer private and semi-private retreats throughout the year. Contact us to customize your experience. Hello@leahdonatiello.com
“I improved my surf technique and most importantly, worked on overcoming the mental barriers that had been holding me back from fully enjoying my time in the water. The reflection sessions were the most beneficial part of the retreat for me, as they allowed me to recognize the connection between my automatic thoughts and reactions while surfing and my everyday life. Surfing has become such a powerful way for me to practice resilience and let go of perfectionism and ego.”
Steph Rozman
May 2024 Participant
Our surf instructors are here to support your experience in the water and will work with you and your specific needs.
“My heart and soul are full after the Reconnect retreat!
Leah is a fantastic host and leader. The retreat was well organized with plenty of group and alone time. The surfing was amazing! After 6 days of surfing and 3 surf analysis sessions I definitely increased my confidence in the water and improved my surf skills. Leah created a safe space for the group to connect and truly enjoy our week together. Lobitos is a hidden gem in Peru. I highly recommend the Reconnect surf and yoga retreat!”
Kerri Jackson – November 2024 participant
“My brother offered me this as a birthday present, it was the best gift I could ever receive! It was a really good experience. I felt stimulated and at ease during the whole retreat. No (or very few) negative feelings during that week, I simply enjoyed it, I was happy with myself and that’s the result of many good aspects. The food was amazing, the hotel and their owners+guests super nice, the whole team involved in the retreat was amazing too, the dynamic between active times and alone/quiet times was perfect, we had the best instructors. Really I have only positive things to say about the retreat. Would recommend it for sure!“
Dahlia Subasi – November 2024 Participant
Surfing can bring up negative or limiting subconscious or suppressed thoughts we have about ourselves.
Though failed pop up attempts, poor paddling technique or misreading the wave, we may start to experience some negative inner dialogue; at least that was my experience. Surfing and learning to surf is an ongoing practice that gives us an opportunity to work through intrusive negative self talk and instead, foster personal growth, confidence and connection that helps us grow in our surfing and our personal lives.
Your Host
Hey, I’m Leah
Through Reconnect Retreats, I share practices that invite surfing to become more than a sport but an embodied practice that deepens our connection with the ocean, ourselves, and the way we move through life.
My Story
Lobitos has been my home since 2013, but it wasn’t until 3 years into living here that I started taking learning to surf seriously.
Surfing turned out to become much more than a hobby for me. It became a major tool in my personal and spiritual development and still is today. Yoga was my first conscious introduction to my spirituality and I began teaching in 2013.
In recent years I have had the privilege of learning shamanic Peruvian Plant medicine practices while assisting on and participating in retreats in the Amazon Jungle. Part of my own process of integrating my experiences, connections and initiations has been to work with an intuitive counsellor.
These combined practices, teachings and experiences have helped shape Reconnect Retreats into truly transformational experiences.
I feel devoted to helping others develop their own intuitive and cosmic connections through surfing, the practice of yoga and deep reflection and presence.
Reconnect Retreats are different…
Reconnect Surf Retreats are designed and facilitated by experienced surfers and practitioners who truly embody the essence of Reconnect.
Reconnect is about enhancing connection; to nature, spirit and yourself.
Surfing has the ability to bring us sharply into the present moment while life’s nuances seem to disappear for a little while. We take that sentiment and energy from surfing and enhance it on the yoga mat, bringing more presence and connection into our everyday lives.
We can’t wait to surf with you!
What others have to say about Reconnect Surf Retreats
“Enjoyed every moment of it,
from the surf sessions that helped boost my confidence and learning process in the water, to the yoga that was adapted every day to the general mood and energy, as well as the time spent together around the pool, enjoying good meals and watching the sunsets! In my two additional weeks in Lobitos after the retreat, I caught the wave of my life – so far 🙂 – and still am hyped about it today! Thank you Leah for providing the space for this to happen!
— Camille Schüle November 2022
“Getting quality time in the water with amazing surf instructors and Leah helped me push myself beyond anything I knew I could surf!
One of my favorite things was watching and analyzing our surf videos with the coaches, for me it changed how I surfed because I could finally see and connect how to better my pop up and stance! I’m so thankful for my experience!”.
—Liza Kazmir November 2022
“Returning to this magical town for the second time
proved how much it only gets better with each visit. Both Leah’s ways and Lobitos have an unexplainable and uplifting balance that’s ideal for a surf and yoga retreat. To live in Lobitos and to continue Leah’s lifestyle would be a dream come true.”
— Rachel Peet November 2022
“Reconnect was a week to remember!
The surf coaching was very personalized to what I specifically needed to work on and I felt my confidence in the water grow throughout the week. Leah is an incredible yoga instructor and the yoga felt amazing each day. And lastly, the food is not only delicious but Leah makes sure it is food to properly fuel us and I could feel a difference after just a few days from the clean eating. Thank you for an amazing experience!”
— Chelsea Ray Denning March 2023