All water has a perfect memory and is forever trying to get back to where it was...”
- T O N I  M 0 R R I S O N

Dec 5 -9, 2025. Colima/Michoacan, Mexico. Surf and Community Service Project .

Through experiential learning, we explore surf and food practices to enhance the highest levels of physical and psychological good feelings.

• Developing your voice and a new routine

• Experience practices to support you in holding a personal safe and brave space

• Explore & Experience the deep history of surfing, ocean, community, and our bodies as medicine

• Get to learn from diverse Surf Therapy practitioners

Introduction message from Native Like Water:
Within our own identity exists the struggle, the movement, the solutions and the water. While we divest in that which does not serve us. Forward motion requires a co-investment strategy in self. Building one’s immunity and strengthening mental, physical, spiritual wellness happens one essential breath at a time.

For the last 8 years, Native Like Water has held a seasonal office along the Central Pacific Coast of Mexico. A very unique area of tranquility with an abundance of waves and sparsely populated beaches. A variety of uncrowded surf breaks, world-class waves for advanced to novice beginner surfers. Stretches of beaches with, perhaps, the most consistent waves on the continental West Coast. This area is open to all swell directions, all year. A very short plane ride away of approximately 3 hour direct from San Diego/Tijuana or LAX.

After years of sharing in the Indigenous cultures of Southern, Central and Northern California, Hawaii, Panama, and Jamaica, Native Like Water was pleasantly fond to share the water and land of the Director, Marc Chavez, maternal origins, in Mexico. Some of the best waves and beaches in the world.

With mental health issues mounting across society, and the dire need to build our physical immunity, health is the priority now more than ever. Surfing and eating well are both highly effective in therapeutic recovery from mental depression, PTSD, and relief from intergenerational trauma. Surf Therapy and its application is now demonstrating data-supported results.

The NLW Surf Camp is along the Nahua Coast of Central Mexico. A 2.5 hour direct flight from San Diego/Otay/Tijuana. Or a few hours from major U.S. Cities. Spacious beaches and empty surf line-ups are the standard. For our program, food is sourced locally and used for high nutrition and ancestral uses. Food of flavor, color and blessings.

This is a special time when people need safe open space of the outdoors, warm water, the beach and waves - now more than ever.

Keeping to a small micro-group, the NLW Surf Camp limits to around 10 people. Our aim is to keep your travel essential and since waves are so plentiful here, there is no reason to travel off to follow a swell week after week. Swells come to you. With all health protocols in place, in addition to wide stretches of beaches, rooms and spacious lodging, we guarantee a feeling of security, privacy and freedom. This is a dream surf wellness trip. An essential health opportunity.

Although the beaches feel isolated, lodging and surf is located in a small community with a few shops within walking distance. The principal larger town is a 20-minute drive and has all larger stores, medical facilities, etc. The main city and airport is an hour away.

For those who are 15-17 years of age, you must bring an adult guardian and or sibling over the age of 18. An active, dedicated “support person” is ideal.

Remote Working / School: During the program, it would be most ideal to minimize ones commitments to the outside world and focus on your inside world, however we know that can be a challenge. Fortunately, some have obligations that can be satisfied on-line. Wifi internet is available at place of lodging. Zoom, Skype, Facetime, etc is doable.

Each day a 2-3 hour siesta time is standard practice. There is plenty of “down time” or time to get on-line. Surfing everyday is totally possible, since there are always waves. However, if you need a break, its all good.

Food: You may already know that Native Like Water has the best and healthiest chefs in the world. We share in the best food, drinks and preparation. We chill, but we also surf daily, exercise and learn from the ocean. We get hungry but not “hangry”. We stay safe and eat the dopest plant-based menus. Fish and wild-game food always prepared on request during each week. We spend time with quality ingredients, beyond one’s idea of gourmet. Ancient dope grinds with colors of the rainbow and high in nutrition, vitamin C and so much more. See more food and surf pics in our gallery.

Who is this program for? Beginner to advanced surfers or those looking for an intro to a surfing, beach lifestyle. Those who can commit (there are extended-stay options) This is for ocean-minded people who have had at least one class of surfing in the past. It is for those willing to make a commitment to surfing, health and ocean recreation. Its for those willing to take a healthy risk and leave junk food behind for a minute. #NativeLIkeWater

Ocean Safety and Orientation: Each registrant should be able to demonstrate a basic introductory knowledge of swimming. Understanding the basics is acceptable. Upon arrival to fellowship location, as a group, we will review basic safety protocols at orientation.

Who gets to go? 18 years and up. Or older teen accompanied by an adult.

Open to NLW surf network of orgs and social media following public. Sponsors looking to provide scholarships or donate please contact us.

Open to Single Parents: If one has a teenager or a young adult and would like to attend together, one may come alone (as parent) or with an older teen.

A small group (no more than 10-12 people), All inclusive with registration.

Registration for those with resources and/or co-sponsors: Registration is $1500 USD, early bird (by 1/25) with a $500 downpayment. We will close registration at 10 people and be updated here. Co-investment in the registration can come from your own pocket and/or sponsor. Affording your own registration fees is great. Or if you have your own co-sponsors, the collaboration with Native Like Water is the best party wave. Either way, NLW can work with you on a payment plan, sending letters on your behalf, following your lead in co-sponsorship requests.

This NLW Surf Camp is for: Participation in surfing is one of the main practices during the experience. Coming to “just chill” is not recommended. Engaging in sport, ocean safely and eating well are our top goals.

A FAQ sheet answering frequently asked questions and important details will be sent to you upon receiving your online registration packet.

Sketch of a typical day or week

Provided, Included in your registration of $1500 (register by 1/25):
Items listed as “OPTIONAL” are available. “Optional” have a small fee of their own.

• Airport Transfers (pickup/drop off) from Colima (CLQ) Airport is included, Extra for GDL Guadalajara Airport

• Beach-side Lodging double occupancy shared room. Private room if needed available on request. .

• All Gourmet Style Meals, Ancestral Native Foods, and Healthy Super Drinks. Filtered Water and Coconuts.

• Daily Siesta (2-4pm) Time to Relax, Hammock Time and/or work remotely

• Basic ocean safety, surf review upon arrival

• On average of 3-4 hours a day of surfing and/or beach activity. Extended surf hours in the water definitely an option. The primary surf break out front of lodging always has waves.

• Local travel to various near-by surf breaks and beaches.

• Evening round circle talks (various topics and virtual NLW guest speakers TBD)

• Introduction to food preparation and food as medicine

• Introduction to medicinal plants, indigenous cultural ways

• Temescal sweat house ceremony, (similarities to a Lakota Sweat Lodge)

• Visit Turtle Sanctuary or Whale watching (seasonal)

• Tortilla/Nixtamal Training, Language Exchange

• Nahua Indigenous Coastal Culture

• Swimming, Snorkel and Fishing (optional) Temperatures are Tropical/Warm

• 1 Overnight Local Camping Excursion

• One class of Surf Lessons Optional

• Guest Surf Coach and/ or advanced follow-up lessons Optional

• Kemetic (Egyptian-Mexican) Yoga Classes Optional

• Coconut Water / Juice Fast Supervised (Optional)

• Early Morning Daily Mediation Optional

• *Optional is as participants discretion at an affordable extra fee/gratuity.

NOT INCLUDED: Your RT Airfare to Colima (CLQ) or Guadalajara (GDL) or Manzanaillo (ZLO), Mexico.
Not included in the price is adult alcohol beverages.

Requested of Participants:

Get to starting point in Colima (CLQ), Mexico. Roundtrip Airfare to Colima (CLQ) is approximately $150-$250 Round Trip from San Diego/Otay Mesa/Tijuana (TIJ) on Volaris airline when booking early. The flight to CLQ is a direct 2.5-hour flight. There is an airport receiving terminal and bridge called CBX on the USA side at Otay Mesa (San Diego). Crossing is super easy and one does not need to go into Tijuana.

Departing from other U.S. cities and flying into Manzanillo (ZLO) or Colima (CLQ) is also an option, and we will provide airport pickup.

Flying into Guadalajara (GDL) is also a very economical option from all major cities. A 2 1/2 airport transfer can arranged for you at a reasonable price.

• Accountability and gratitude with peers in the group.

• Hygiene protocol will be kept.

• Please note that the largest meal of the day in Mexico is around 2 pm. Dinner is usually a snack or small meal.

• Personal options (but not required) note taking, menu-building

• Bringing back lessons to your home and community.

• Those crossing at traditional border crossing (i.e. Tijuana) by foot or car, you will need your government issued I.D. and your original birth certificate. With these, you do not need a passport to cross into MX or enter back USA.

• If using Cross Border Express at Otay Mesa (U.S) to Tijuana (MX) airport termina, also known as the CBX inter-airport crossing Bridge, you will need a U.S. Passport. Passport to travel, valid within 6 months of your travel.

 
Destination FAQ sheet will be sent with your registration confirmation. It will detail exact location and coordinates of main lodging/surfing site. We will also send documents on what to bring, waivers, travel insurance information, etc.

We co-create a lifelong memory. Celebrate yourself and, if needed, ask folks to invest in you. Instead of material items, co-sponsorship is a great option. We guarantee this will be good for you, and the community.

Our ability to make a change in this world is dependent on how we can bring positive change within.  We are proud of the will and heart of our program. Like a food forest, we see the bounty. The benefit from low hanging fruit and daily siesta time to sit, rest and talk story in the shade. An offering of great surf, food as medicine, and an excellent way to improve health and ocean skills. NLW has learned so much about so many things here in Mexico, and our goal is to share an immersion-type intergenerational and safe learning experience. We look forward to surfing and sharing with you. #surfandfoodasmedicine