Overview
This November, we’re inviting you to unplug, slow down, and dive into an authentic Mexican experience that goes way beyond the board. Homemade meals crafted with love by local women, siestas under palm trees, barefoot mornings chasing waves, and golden hour skate sessions. GRLSWIRL has truly mastered the art of teaching. Their founders and amazing riders guide you with unmatched support, technical precision, and pure empowerment. The progress you’ll make is honestly UNREAL, you’ll surprise yourself every single day. Whether you’ve never stepped on a board or you’re eager to level up your skills, this retreat opens the door to new possibilities. It’s more than learning to surf or skate, it’s about moving past hesitation, embracing community, and creating memories that you’ll relive forever. We’ve also teamed up with the legendary Mexicalli surf school that knows the wave like no one else. With deep roots and experience, you’ll be in the best hands, whether you’re paddling out for the first time or ready to take your surfing to the next level. This slice of Mexico's Southern Pacific still holds onto its magic. It's not flashy, it’s real. We’ve carefully created a space where you can step into the culture with respect, joy, and connection. This retreat is limited to a group of 10 guests, with 2 private rooms and 4 shared rooms.
Highlights
The wave machine
We’ll be surfing a world-class long left point break, known as “the wave machine.” Gentle, super consistent, and almost unreal, it’s perfect for beginner to intermediate longboarders and mid-length riders. Expect smooth, endless rides stretching up to 800 meters (the ideal canvas to progress) just a five-minute beach walk from our home. Our MexiCali coaching team, who’ve lived by this wave for years, will help you read the wave, find your spot, and experience the feeling of riding it forever.
20 years of Soul-Filled food
Home-cooked by an incredible crew of Mexican women who’ve been nourishing hearts and souls here for over 20 years. Every meal feels like a celebration of joy, tradition, and love. It’s as if your favorite Mexican restaurant moved into the house, serving a colorful variety of dishes to fuel you through the week.
Live Mexican
We work hand in hand with our local hostesses to offer a truly authentic experience, one that invites you to learn the stories of the place, embrace Mexican traditions, slang, and humor, and fully immerse yourself in the culture that surrounds us. Their warmth and spirit open a window into a way of living you’ll never forget. One you’ll carry with you and want to relive forever.
Community event
Together with the GRLSWIRL Team and our local partners, we host a skate day for local kids, sharing what we’ve learned, celebrating every small win, and gifting boards so they can keep rolling long after we’re gone. It’s pure joy, connection, and community: the heartbeat of every AWA x GRLSWIRL experience.
YOUR HOSTESSES
Lucy Osinski
Creator, CEO and Co-Founder of Grlswirl from Cornwall New York, she started skating in early 2017. Lucy fell in love with how empowered and liberated she felt from skating and passionately wanted to get others on boards in order to experience the same momentous feeling. She has taught hundreds of folks to skate of all ages, levels and backgrounds and is deeply passionate about sharing skate with others.
lucyjean333
Julia Ama
“Juju” is one of GRLSWRL team riders. She grew up between California and Brasil. She is an avid surfer and skater but also spent time a Nasa Engineer. She has a big brain and an even bigger heart. She is a fully time battery, the life of the party and always bringing the good vibes into our experiences.
JUJUAMA
MONA PICASSO
Argentinian surfer, creator soul and ultimate jungle warrior reshaped her life by the Costa Rican sea over a decade ago on a search for a more simple life. She is the embodiment of fun and adventure and brings the high vibes and stoked into whatever she does. Be ready for some loud laughs, deep ocean conversations and a life-long friendship with who will turn your surf trip into a radical life-changing experience.
mona.picasso
Naomi
Naomi is an Okinawan-American surfer, artist, and GRLSWIRL team rider who thrives at the intersection of movement, creativity, and culture. Deeply inspired by nature and community, she uses skateboarding and surfing as tools to empower others, push boundaries, and build meaningful connections. Whether she’s carving a wave, skating barefoot, or drawing, Naomi brings a spirit of curiosity and joy to everything she does.
naomimarika
What's included
What's Included
6-night stay in a beachfront villa just steps from the legendary "wave machine” left-hand point break.
5 surf skate lessons adapted to your level.
5 surf lessons with a 2:1 student-to-coach ratio, tailored to your level by certified local surf instructors.
Surf and skate video analysis.
Professional surf video footage to take home.
Daily access to surf and skate equipment.
Yoga, stretching, breathwork, and guided meditations.
Daily Mexican style breakfast, lunch and dinner (adapted to all diets).
Unlimited coffee, tea, water, and juice.
Transportation to activities.
Daily cleaning services.
Goodie bag.
An epic time with an inspiring community.
What's Not Included
International airfare.
Airport ground transportation.
Alcoholic beverages.
Medical insurance.
Photography package.
Creando Olas
Your dreamy beach house in Mexico's Southern Pacific
Nestled right on the beach, Casa Creando Olas is a cathedral-like surf villa with endless ocean views, rustic elegance and barefoot luxury.
THE VENUE
A sanctuary for surf souls
With direct access to one of the world’s longest left-point waves, an open-air palapa roof, a pool at water-level, and rooms that open onto surf views, this house is more than accommodation. It’s a gateway to the wave machine and a sanctuary for surf souls.
Accommodation
Private Master Room
With A/C, WiFi, King bed, ensuite bathroom, and ocean or pool views.
FROM$5,000.00/pp
Shared Room
With A/C, WiFi, two twin beds or queen bed, shared bathroom, and ocean or mountain views.
FROM$4,600.00/pp
Gallery
FAQs
How to get to the lodge?
You'll want to fly into Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa International Airport (ZIH), which is the closest airport and located about 40 minutes from the retreat house.
From there, the AWA team will help you coordinate a private taxi to bring you directly to Casa Creando Olas.
The house is located right on the sand, just steps from the famous surf break of La Saladita.
Can you help me organize transportation?
Absolutely! Once your booking is confirmed, our team can help coordinate taxis or flights to make your journey smooth and stress-free.
At what time is check-in and check-out?
Check-in: from 3 PM
Check-out: from 10 AM
Is there an option without lodging if we live in the area?
No, we don’t offer a lodging-only option. Our retreats are fully immersive surfing and community experiences, and a big part of the magic comes from everyone sharing the same space and really dropping into the journey together.
How much surfing/skateboarding experience should i have before i go?
None at all! This retreat is designed for women of every level, from total beginners to more advanced riders. Our experienced coaches personalize each lesson so you’ll grow at your own pace, feel supported, and have the best time no matter where you’re starting from.
Do I need to bring my own skateboard?
We highly encourage you to bring your own skateboard for the retreat, even if you’re a complete beginner. learning on your board from day one helps you build confidence, muscle memory, and familiarity that you can keep practicing with once you’re back home.
We also recommend bringing your own helmet and pads to make sure you have the perfect fit and the right protection throughout the trip.
And if you’re thinking of upgrading your gear before coming, you can use the code AWA30 for 30% off all GRLSWIRL equipment.
How many times a day are skate sessions?
We offer one coached surf-skate session per day, usually around 2–2.5 hours. You’ll also have access to all the skate equipment for free skating anytime you’d like throughout the week.
What if i've never surfed before?
No problem at all! Our retreat is perfect for beginners and so are these beaches. Our team of surf coaches will start with the basics, teaching you everything you need to know to catch your first wave safely and confidently.
Do I need to bring my own surfboard?
No need! We provide all the necessary surf equipment, including boards, leashes and wax. However, if you have your own gear and feel more comfortable using it, you're welcome to bring it along.
How many times a day are surf sessions?
You’ll have one coached surf session each morning, usually around 2 hours, for a total of 5 coached sessions during the week. You’re also welcome to free surf anytime you’d like, and all surf equipment will be available for you daily.
Im traveling solo. Will i feel out of place?
Not at all! The majority of our guests come solo, and our retreats are carefully curated as supportive and inclusive experiences for everyone. You'll have plenty of opportunities to connect with other like-minded women and most likely build friendships and bonds that will last a lifetime.
What is the typical age range of guests?
A lot of our first-time guests are concerned about this!
Our retreat welcomes women of all ages, starting from 18 and up. To give you an idea, about 80% of our guests are between 25 and 55 years old. We love witnessing the diversity and unique perspectives and experience that each guests brings to the group. We have created an inclusive environment that ensures that everyone feels valued and empowered, regardless of age.
How big are the groups?
We host a maximum of 10 guests in this experience.
I'm nervous, should i do this?
We promise you’ll have an epic time. "It’s truly amazing and hard to put into words", our guests say...If you are feeling the call, just do it, let go of any expectations and let us host you during the time of your life!
is it safe to travel to La Saladita?
Yes! La Saladita is a peaceful, low-key surf town with a friendly local community and a super relaxed vibe. Like anywhere, we encourage general travel awareness: keep valuables out of sight, don’t leave things unattended on the beach, and stick to bottled water.
The AWA team will be with you every step of the way to ensure everything runs smoothly so you can focus on having fun.
Should I bring cash?
Yes, it’s a good idea to bring some pesos for small purchases, tips, or souvenirs. La Saladita is a quiet beach town and most places don’t accept cards. We recommend grabbing cash at the ATM at the airport before heading out.
What is the local currency and where should i exchange money?
The local currency is the Mexican peso (MXN). It’s best to bring cash and exchange money at banks or currency exchange offices before arriving, as options in La Saladita are very limited. Some services do accept U.S. dollars, especially if they list prices in USD.
However, most local vendors (like restaurants, small shops, and food stalls) prefer pesos and may offer a poor exchange rate or add a fee if you pay in dollars. To get the best value and avoid hassles, carry pesos for daily expenses and small purchases.
Should I be tipping?
Yes, tipping is customary in Mexico and greatly appreciated. It’s not included in your retreat package, so we recommend bringing some pesos or small USD bills. At the end of the week, we’ll guide you on how to tip the local team: surf coaches, cooks, drivers, and house staff. If someone went above and beyond, feel free to thank them directly too.
Is there downtime?
Yes, we intentionally build in downtime for relaxation and reflection. You can spend your free time exploring the local area, enjoying optional activities, or simply unwinding on the beach or by the pool.
What happens if the weather and conditions are bad?
While we cant control the weather, we do our best to adapt to changing conditions Our experienced hostesses and coaches will adjust the schedule and activities accordingly to ensure you have a fun and safe experience, both in and out of the water.
What to pack?
Not much! Mexico is warm all year round, as is the ocean water temperature, which means you can pack light and easily bring everything you need in a carry-on.
While it gets cooler in the evenings than it is during the day you're still not likely to need anything more than at-shirt and some longer loose fitting pants/skirt.
La Saladita is quite a remote destination so make sure to bring with you anything in particular you might need during your week because it might not be available there.
