For the last 5 years, Native Like Water has held a seasonal office along the Pacific Coast of Mainland Mexico. A unique region 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 the most consistent waves on the Continental West Coast. This area is open to all swell directions.

After years of sharing in the Indigenous cultures of Southern, Central and Northern California, Hawaii, Panama, Jamaica and traveling the continent in search of waves, Native Like Water is super stoked to share the land, sea of NLW Director's maternal origin, Nahua Coast. Some of the most consistent waves and majestic beaches of the continent.

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.

Location: A 2.5 hour direct flight from San Diego/Otay/Tijuana, spacious beaches and empty surf line-ups are the standard. Getting here from any major N. America or International Airport , Guadalajara (GDL) is the destination airport.

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

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, comfy rooms and lodging, we guarantee a feeling of security, privacy and freedom. This is a dream surf wellness trip.

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

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 the place of lodging. Zoom, Skype, Facetime, etc is doable.

Each day a 2 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. For our program, food is sourced locally and used for high nutrition and ancestral uses. Food of flavor, color and blessings. We share in the best food, drinks and preparation. We chill, but we also surf daily, exercise and learn from the ocean. The dopest plant-based menus, as well as Fish and wild-game food always prepared on request during each day. 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.. This is for ocean-minded people. It is for those committed to surfing, health and ocean recreation. Our goal is to relieve junk from our minds, our spirit, and from our trunk. Guaranteed to eat the best you ever have. This is a natural state of being. #NativeLIkeWater

Ocean Safety and Orientation: Prior to paddling out, please be able to demonstrate a basic introductory knowledge of surfing basics and surf safety. If not, we can prepare elementary skills class and also provide introduction to water safety.

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. Not recommended for children under 13 years of age.

Partial Scholarship (ages 17-30): For those who qualify. Our aim is to provide scholarships with those who may have the greatest need, unemployed, and minimal to no resources of support. If need pertains to you, on the registration form please fill out the scholarship questions. If need does not pertain to you or you have a sponsor, please leave that section blank on your registration. Each will be reviewed, assessed, and approved individually for award. Partial Scholarship award amounts differ.

This is a dream surf trip, and we want to award you this essential opportunity. Please give as much intention and effort to it as we do. An investment in self.

A small group of Fellows (no more than 10 people per session)

Intermediate and Advanced surfers will often surf beaches and breaks different from where the beginner surfers will be surfing. Knowing our own limits is a vital part of surfing philosophy and safety practice. Beginner surfers will often practice with sand bottom waves until they can surf reef or rock point breaks.

This Fellowship is not for: first time surfers “to see if you like surfing”. You must know you already like surfing. Participation in surfing is one of the main practices.

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

Program Sketch

On the beautiful Pacific Coast of Central Mexico. Surf Contest at a user friendly wave in Michoacan.

Provided in your registration:

• Airport Transfers (pickup/drop off) from Colima (CLQ) Airport

• Beach-side Lodging private rooms OR a shared room .

• 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

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

• Basic ocean safety, surf review upon arrival

• On average of 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

• Introduction of Surf Therapy and Trauma

• Guest Surf Coach and/ or lessons, optional upon request

• 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

Requested from Fellows:

Get to starting point in Colima (CLQ), Mexico.
Roundtrip Airfare to Colima (CLQ) is approximately $150 to $200 RT 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) making it exceptionally easy and one does not need to go into Tijuana. Flying into Manzanillo (ZLO) or Colima (CLQ) is also an option, and we will provide airport pickup.

Departing from other Major U.S. cities and Internationally

• Flying into Guadalajara (GDL) is also a very economical option from other cities, but you will need to take a 3-hour first-class bus to Colima, or take 2 1/2 hour UBER. Transfer to Colima can be arranged for you.

• Accountability and gratitude with peer Fellows in the group.

• 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 guarantee this will be good for you, and the community. 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.

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, and our goal is to share an immersion-type intergenerational and safe cultural experience. We look forward to surfing and sharing with you.