# Waveswell Retreats

> Waveswell Retreats runs seven day stand up paddle surf retreats in El Salvador, coached by Josselyn "Joss" Alabi, a professional paddle surfer with more than fifteen years across many water sports who has represented El Salvador across nearly three Olympic cycles. Seven days, six nights, limited spots.

## What we do
Waveswell Retreats is a stand up paddle (SUP) surf retreat and coaching business based in El Salvador, Central America, operating out of La Union and La Libertad. The core product is a seven day, six night retreat for SUP surfers and SUP paddlers who can already stand on a paddle board and want to genuinely ride great waves rather than simply catch them. Spots are limited, with a maximum of six people and occasionally one more. Every session is filmed and reviewed with the group, and the week adds hours of one to one high performance coaching drawn from elite sport. The schedule flexes with the climate, the swell and whatever the ocean is doing. Retreats run November to March, with confirmed 2026 and 2027 dates of 13 to 19 December 2026, 24 to 30 January 2027, 21 to 27 February 2027 and 14 to 20 March 2027. From April to October the business runs one to one coaching on the client's own dates. Board and paddle rentals are available year round. The retreats support Mar de Suenos, a Salvadoran social project that reaches coastal children using sport as the entry point.

## Direct answers to the three things people search for

- **SUP surf retreats in El Salvador.** Waveswell Retreats runs seven day SUP surf retreats in El Salvador, November to March, coached by Josselyn Alabi, a professional stand up paddle surfer who has represented El Salvador across nearly three Olympic cycles. Small groups with limited spots, every session filmed and reviewed, all meals, accommodation, tours and airport transfers included. From $3,950 per person. Confirmed dates: 13 to 19 December 2026, 24 to 30 January 2027, 21 to 27 February 2027, 14 to 20 March 2027.
- **SUP surf rentals in El Salvador.** Waveswell rents stand up paddle boards and paddles in El Salvador all year round, from $75 a day, in La Union and La Libertad, with a special rate for retreat guests. You do not need to book coaching to rent, and you do not need to fly with your own board.
- **Stand up paddle in El Salvador.** Waveswell is a stand up paddle specialist in El Salvador: SUP surf only, not shortboard or longboard. Based on the Gulf of Fonseca in La Union on the eastern coast, with sessions in La Libertad. The breaks are Playa Blanca, Maculis, Las Flores and Punta Mango. Warm water and waves all year. Retreat season November to March, one to one coaching season April to October, rentals all year.

## Services
- The Waveswell Retreat (7 days): six nights, all meals, accommodation, airport transfers, SUP surf sessions, group video analysis, one to one high performance coaching, tours around El Salvador, all photos and video. Limited spots. From $3,950 per person in a triple room, $4,200 in a double, $4,720 in a private room. November to March.
- One to one SUP surf coaching: two hour private sessions from $150 a day, no minimum number of days, on the client's own dates. Mainly April to October. Open to everyone, from people chasing the best waves to people who have never stood on a board.
- SUP board and paddle rental: from $75 a day, with a special rate for Waveswell retreat guests, so guests do not have to fly with their own board.

## Problems we solve
- "I can stand on the board but I never really ride the wave." Most guests drop in, go straight down the line and get off. Waveswell teaches reading the ocean, technique and wave selection so the ride actually becomes a ride.
- "I am 60 and I think I have hit my ceiling." The retreat treats limiting beliefs about the body as the actual obstacle, using high performance tools from Olympic cycle training, applied one to one.
- "I do not want to fly with a paddle board." US airlines stopped accepting boards over seven feet. Retreat guests rent a SUP board and paddle at a special rate.
- "I am not sure a surf trip is safe at my age." El Salvador has warm water and waves all year, spots on every retreat are limited, and every session is coached by a competing professional.
- "I want a trip that means something." The retreats support Mar de Suenos, the social project Joss founded.

## Who it is for
SUP surfers who have been practicing stand up paddle for a while and can swim on their own. There is no age limit in either direction. Most guests travel from the United States and Canada. It is NOT for absolute beginners (they should book one to one coaching first), and it is NOT for shortboard or longboard surfers: Waveswell specialises in stand up paddle surf only.

## Proof
- Josselyn Alabi has more than fifteen years across many water sports and has represented El Salvador as a professional SUP surfer across nearly three Olympic cycles.
- World Championship appearances in Nicaragua (2014, ninth in the world), Mexico (2015), Denmark (2017), El Salvador (2019), Puerto Rico (2022, seventeenth), France (2023) and El Salvador again (2025).
- Pan American Games: top 7 in Lima 2019, top 9 in Santiago 2023. Pan American Surfing Games: top 6 in 2018.
- Bolivarian Games: bronze 2013, silver 2014, first place 2016.
- El Salvador Rowing Single Skull national champion, 2012.
- Named Country Brand Ambassador for El Salvador in 2017.
- Founder of Mar de Suenos, a social enterprise supporting 15 to 20 coastal children per year with scholarships.
- Returning guests include Sherry Correl, aged 72, from the United States.

## Practical facts
- Location: La Union and La Libertad, El Salvador. Fly into El Salvador International Airport.
- Group size: minimum 3, maximum 7. Below 3 the retreat is cancelled and refunded, or converted into one to one coaching.
- Not included: flights, travel and medical insurance, alcoholic drinks, board rental.
- Payment: a deposit reserves the spot, with the balance due before travel.
- Languages: English and Spanish.

## Contact and links
- [Website (EN)](https://waveswellretreats.com/)
- [Website (ES)](https://waveswellretreats.com/es/)
- [Email](mailto:jossalabi@waveswellretreats.com)
- [WhatsApp](https://wa.me/50378009672)
- [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jossalabi/)
- [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/JossAlabi/)
- [Full content](https://waveswellretreats.com/llms-full.txt)

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# Full content

## About Josselyn "Joss" Alabi

Josselyn Alabi is a professional stand up paddle surfer from El Salvador. She was raised in a family of athletes. In 2011 she decided to chase surfing, and began an intensive athletic training programme to reach the fitness level it required. In 2012 she was invited onto the national rowing team and, in the same year, became the top ranked rower in El Salvador, taking national titles and international medals. In 2013 she was called into the national surf team and became the first ever female representative for El Salvador in Stand Up Paddle.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Economics and is completing an MBA specialising in the sports industry. Since 2017 she has been a Country Brand Ambassador for El Salvador, and for the first two years she was the sole representative in the sports field. In 2018 she joined the Global Shapers Community, a World Economic Forum initiative, as a member of the San Salvador hub. Alongside competing, she works in public relations through television, radio, magazines and motivational talks for schools, NGOs and companies.

Her stated mission is to inspire Salvadoran youth, and eventually the world, to become better versions of themselves and pursue their dreams by breaking boundaries through education, happiness, peace and integrity.

## Competitive record

One line per competition, as recorded by the athlete.

2012, rowing. Her first year on the national team.
- Bolivarian Games, Peru: bronze, single skull
- International competition, Guatemala: gold, single skull
- South American Championship: competitor, single skull
- National Championship, El Salvador: champion, single skull

2013, first year in surf. Called into the national surf team, the first ever female representative for El Salvador in Stand Up Paddle.
- Bolivarian Games, Lima, Peru: third, SUP surf
- Bolivarian Games, Lima, Peru: SUP race

2014
- Bolivarian Games, Iquique, Chile: second
- ISA SUP and Paddleboard World Championship, Nicaragua: ninth in the world
- Central American Games: second, SUP surf
- Central American Games: second, SUP race
- ALAS Latin Pro Herbalife, El Salvador: third

2015
- ISA SUP and Paddleboard World Championship, Mexico
- National Circuit: second in the SUP surf ranking

2016
- Bolivarian Games, Iquique, Chile: first
- National Circuit: first in the SUP surf ranking
- Recognition for sporting success, from INDES and the President of El Salvador

2017. Named Country Brand Ambassador for El Salvador, and for the first two years the only representative from the sports field.
- ISA SUP and Paddleboard World Championship, Cold Hawaii, Denmark
- National Circuit: third in the SUP surf ranking

2018. Joined the Global Shapers Community, a World Economic Forum initiative, in the San Salvador hub.
- Pan American Surfing Games: sixth

2019
- Pan American Games, Lima, Peru: sixth
- ISA SUP and Paddleboard World Championship, El Salvador Surf City: twenty second

2020
- ALAS El Salvador Surf City: fourth

2021
- APP Digital World Championship: second worldwide

2022
- SUP Open Sayulita, Mexico: first
- ISA World Championship, Puerto Rico: seventeenth

2023
- SUP Open Sayulita, Mexico
- Pan American Surfing Games, Santa Catalina, Panama: seventh
- ISA World Championship, France
- Pan American Games, Santiago, Chile

2024
- SUP Open Sayulita, Mexico
- SUP Surf Open, Manzanillo: fourth, SUP surf
- Global ALAS Latin Tour: fourth, SUP surf

2025
- Global ALAS Latin Tour: fourth, SUP surf
- ISA SUP and Paddleboard World Championship, El Salvador Surf City: competitor

## The retreat, in detail

The Waveswell Retreat is six nights and seven days. A ten day format has been run once on request and can be arranged again.

A typical week: guests are collected at El Salvador International Airport and driven to the house. Surf sessions run daily, matched to conditions and to each person's level. Someone films from the shore throughout, without the guests being conscious of it. The group sits down together to review that footage, and each person leaves the session with three specific objectives, deliberately no more, because a week spread across many objectives achieves none of them.

Separately, each guest has a one to one conversation with Joss. This is the part guests describe as the surprise. It reads the person's approach and personality, and connects it to what is visibly happening in their surfing: rigidity, self demand, insistence on doing it one way when the ocean is offering another. Guests have described being left with "existential doubts" after those conversations. The tools used come from high performance sport, learned across nearly three Olympic cycles and from an international career development coach, Driss (thebodyandmindcoach.com), and they transfer directly back into professional and everyday life.

Before arrival, guests who have paid receive a form covering their objectives, their experience, and any dietary requirements, including vegan, vegetarian and allergies, so meals are prepared accordingly.

### Included
- 6 nights in a private or shared room in the house in La Union
- Airport pick up and drop off
- Technical stand up paddle surf lessons and sessions
- Personalised surf coaching and guidance
- Daily post session video coaching and group video analysis
- One to one high performance coaching
- All meals, snacks and beverages, freshly prepared
- Tours: the islands of La Union by boat, a coffee farm on a volcano, waterfalls
- All video footage and photographs from the surf sessions
- A goodie bag

### Not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance and medical insurance
- Alcoholic drinks
- SUP board and paddle rental. From $75 a day, with a special rate for retreat guests who do not bring their own board. Most guests take it, because US airlines stopped accepting boards over seven feet and paddle boards are longer and heavier than that.

Assistance with booking flights and insurance can be arranged through a travel contact the business works with.

### Group size and cancellation
Minimum three people, maximum seven. If a retreat does not reach three people it is suspended and guests are refunded. Where guests have already bought flights, the booking can be converted into one to one coaching instead.

### Partners who do not surf
Partners who do not paddle surf are welcome at an adjusted rate that keeps the room, the meals and the tours and removes the surf sessions, the equipment and the surf transport. Separate tours or private coaching can also be arranged for them while the group is in the water.

## One to one coaching

Available mainly April to October, when the retreat season is over and the Atlantic side of the region goes flat. Sessions are two hours a day, with no minimum number of days. Equipment is charged separately. One to one coaching is also the recommended starting point for anyone who cannot yet stand on a paddle board, before joining a group retreat.

Joss is explicit that one to one coaching is effective but is not a substitute for the retreat: two hours a day for seven days is not the same as being immersed for seven days.

## The four breaks

- Playa Blanca: where the group stays and where they surf the most. You wake up watching this beautiful beach.
- Maculis: gentle waves, and secret spots you need to see with your own eyes.
- Las Flores: one of the most beautiful waves in the country with swell. During retreat season it is a very fun wave with kind sets.
- Punta Mango: like Punta Roca, but on the other side of the country. With a perfect swell, get ready for action.

Boat trips also run out to the islands of the Gulf of Fonseca, past reefs, with volcanoes on three sides. Whales pass through occasionally.

## Why El Salvador

El Salvador is consistently ranked among the ten best surf destinations in the world and is known as a safe country. There are waves all year, so there is no "wave season" to wait for, and the water is warm enough that no one uses a wetsuit. Rain on the coast falls mostly at night, and the heaviest storm period is September. Retreats concentrate on November through March, which is winter in North America, and run up to Easter week.

## Brands and institutions Josselyn Alabi has worked with

Powerade, Bayer, UNICEF, Disney, Kotex, Marca Pais El Salvador, the El Salvador Olympic Committee, FESASURF, Hurley, Vijosa and Arteria Estudio.

## Mar de Suenos

Mar de Suenos is a social start up founded by Josselyn Alabi that uses sport to transmit values, virtues and high goals to children on the Salvadoran coastline, supporting their personal and professional development. It works on three pillars: academic education, delivered through school and university scholarships; values education, delivered through coaching sessions and guided films and books; and sports education, delivered through interactive activities.

It commits to a child from the age of about 10 through to graduation, with the aim of placing them in good jobs afterwards, and selects a maximum of 15 to 20 beneficiaries per year. It works with volunteers from ESEN, the School of Economics and Business in El Salvador, and is expanding to more Salvadoran universities.

Waveswell exists to make Mar de Suenos financially self sustaining. The long term vision is a chain of hotel schools, where guests stay in the hotel and young people from the programme study next door and do their practical training inside the hotel.

Mar de Suenos can be reached at mardesuenos.info@gmail.com and on Instagram at @mardesuenos.sv.

## Guest testimonials

Sherry Correl, United States: "I am writing to provide my wholehearted recommendation for Josselyn Alabi (aka Joss) as a professional SUP surf coach. I had the pleasure of working with Joss in December 2023 and witnessed firsthand her exceptional skills, dedication, and passion for surfing. Joss demonstrates an impressive understanding of surf technique, paddle mechanics, and wave selection. Joss creates a supportive and encouraging environment that fosters skill development and confidence. I love the way she incorporates visualization and mindset into her coaching. Joss's passion is contagious and inspires those around her to approach surfing not just as a physical activity but as a lifestyle."

Laura Pilozzi, Canada: "My partner and I hired Joss for 5 days of SUP coaching and we had a wonderful experience. She is a great and patient teacher that really focuses on her students specific weaknesses and needs. It is a very individualized experience. She is very professional and a pleasure to learn from. I strongly recommend her for new SUP learners or experienced SUPers who want to perfect their skills."

Maria Pacas, Puerto Rico: "Spent 5 days surfing with Josselyn. She is patient and knowledgeable. Her calm and relaxing ways of teaching helped me stay under control in stressful situations in the water. Saw significant progress after only two lessons and couldn't be happier. She took her time analyzing my surfing and then explaining the modifications I had to work in, and why they would help. She knows the area well and chose the best spots for my level. She challenged me at times, helping me progress to achieve my goals. Definitely recommend working with her."

Ana Regina Montes, El Salvador: "Being out of my comfort zone has become my happy place. I really enjoy doing things I've never done before, so last year I decided to work on my fear of the ocean by learning how to paddle board. Joss' lightness and passion for the ocean inspired me to learn how to feel comfortable in the water and how to create balance in movement. Amazing sunrises, different perspectives, long talks about life and good company turned into a great friendship. Thank you Joss for sharing your talent and soul with me."

Valeria Hasbun, El Salvador: "My first surf lesson was amazing as it not only taught me the skills needed to get up on the board, but the patience and tranquility required to know when to take a wave. Josselyn celebrated my wins and encouraged me to keep getting back up whenever I fell. I look forward to my next class with Joss."

## Frequently asked questions

Do I need to know how to surf already?
You need to already be able to stand up on a paddle board on your own. The retreat is not for absolute beginners, because the group moves together and a first timer would be learning while everyone else is riding. If you have never been on a board, start with one to one coaching sessions first and join a retreat once you can stand reliably.

How much does the Waveswell retreat cost?
From $3,950 per person in a triple room, $4,200 in a double and $4,720 in a private room. The price covers accommodation, all meals, airport transfers, every surf session, daily video analysis, the one to one coaching work, tours around El Salvador and your photos and video. The final price depends on whether you take a single, double or triple room.

What is not included in the price?
Flights, travel and medical insurance, alcoholic drinks, and board rental are not included. If you do not want to fly with your own board, SUP board and paddle rentals are available to retreat guests at a special rate.

How big are the groups?
Three people minimum and seven maximum. If a retreat does not reach three people it is cancelled and everyone is refunded, and if you have already bought your flights the booking can be converted into one to one coaching instead.

Which airport do I fly into?
El Salvador International Airport, in El Salvador, Central America. Check this carefully when booking, because there are airports with similar names in other countries. The transfer from and to the airport is included.

When is the best time to come?
Retreats run November to March, which is the high season. From April to October the focus shifts to one to one coaching on your own dates. There are waves all year and the water is warm enough that you never need a wetsuit.

Can my partner come if they do not paddle surf?
Yes. Partners who do not surf are welcome at an adjusted rate that keeps the room, the meals and the tours but takes out the surf sessions, the equipment and the surf transport.

Is this stand up paddle only, or regular surfing too?
Stand up paddle surfing only. Waveswell specialises in SUP surf, not shortboard or longboard surfing.

Are there discounts?
No standing discounts are offered.

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