Gay surfer has built Gay Surf Week into a rising tide of support in the sport

“Is that your girlfriend?” 

My first surf instructor asked me that question, pointing to a friend paddling past us on her longboard. It was an innocuous attempt to bond with me, yet I didn’t feel comfortable outing myself to a stranger in a country – Sri Lanka – where me being gay was criminalized. 

My instructor was prying about girls, rather than teaching me the surfing basics I’d come for. A perfect wave rolled beneath my board as I deflected another question. 

How can you ever become good at something if you can’t even be yourself while learning? 

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Surf culture has long been dominated by a hetero, hyper-masculine energy, despite the sport’s roots in communal belonging. Most surf retreats are built around “bro” culture or influencer-esque wellness, prioritizing these aesthetics over authenticity. 

While surf culture is changing—women and LGBTQ surfers are paddling out more than ever—our visibility in these spaces remains scarce. 

That’s how Gay Surf Week was born.

Ten years of travel and surfing later, Gay Surf Week is my beacon for queer adventurers to experience the magic of surfing. To catch a wave, feel the breath of the world rise beneath you, carrying you forward and letting you dance atop it. 

It’s a feeling of freedom you have to feel to believe! And a practice of finding peace in challenging environments—something the queer community has always understood.

At its core, Gay Surf Week isn’t actually about creating an army of queer surfers. It’s simply a space for us all to take a week-long deep breath, try something new, and return to play instead of survival. One where queer folks can show up exactly as they are and be celebrated for it. 

And there’s nothing to worry about in Costa Rica — as welcoming as it is beautiful– the first country in Central America to legalize same-sex marriage. 

When I first launched Gay Surf Week, I had hopes of a diverse group, but I didn’t expect the breadth of LGBTQ attendees at my first three retreats. I’ve hosted trans surfers, first-timers in their 60s, seasoned riders, closeted newbies, and even those who’ve never seen the ocean before. 

The magic isn’t just in the waves—it’s in the collective cheers, the group text that lives on for months after, the late-night dance parties, and in the way we build a world just for us.

Sapphic Surf Week is my first LBT+ centric retreat, further specializing the week to give woman-loving-woman identities a place to shine. 

Held at Surf Synergy in Costa Rica, this luxury wellness camp was recently awarded Best Retreat for Total Rejuvenation by Women’s Health Magazine for a reason: they offer a top-tier experience and match the needs of every guest. Expect restorative yoga sessions, luxury accommodation, delicious home-cooked food for every meal, and assured safety.   

Gay Surf Week and Sapphic Surf Week combine world-class surf coaching with all the joys of camp-like bonding. Breathwork and ice baths meet movie nights and pool parties. We process the shitshow of life over coconuts and sunsets. 

Even your airport transfers and sunscreen are included! So prepare to relax and enjoy the tropical surroundings, nearby national parks, and some of the most consistent waves Costa Rica has to offer. 

It’s sweaty and silly, and the type of week I wish I’d had when I first came out. It’s more than just a vacation. It’s paradise at its proudest.

Two retreats remain in 2025: Sapphic Surf Week on August 23-30 and Gay Surf Week on October 25-November 1. As a thank-you to the Outsports community, we’re offering 25% off Sapphic Surf Week and $300 off Gay Surf Week. If interested, DM @gaysurfweeks and mention Outsports in your message! 

Whether you’re a beginner who’s never touched a board or a queer surfer who’s just been waiting for your people, this is your sign. Let’s come up for air together.

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