Surf into a lighter way of being.

Slow down. Expand deeply.
Indulge in a soulful connection with
water, self, and the community.

Our experiences are unlike any other, using oceanic wisdom and technical tools to guide our guests to greater depths of transformation, yet walking away with a refreshed sense of weightlessness. When you join us for a retreat you will experience an expansive space to relax, reconnect, and fully indulge in the art of lightness.

AS SEEN IN:

RETREATS

A transformative experience amongst the islands of Indonesia.
Our focus is on technical surf and self-awareness training.

DanceLightly goes beyond just enhancing your surfing skills. As experienced surf coaches and retreat organizers with a conscious approach, we provide transformative experiences. We use surfing as a portal to cultivate confidence, connection, and peace, equipping you to ride the waves of life with newfound gracefulness, awareness and ease.

A gateway to a boundless you.

DANA HAMANN & DANIE VEGA

Meet the co-creators

  • "This retreat was unbelievably good on so many levels! From the instant I met Dana, our surf coach extraordinaire, her warmth and energy set the tone for an unforgettable week. With her expert guidance, every wave became an opportunity for gaining much needed confidence and growth. Dana's coaching wasn't just about technique; it was a masterclass in mindfulness and presence, allowing me to connect with the ocean in profound new ways."

    Gab (Australia), Retreat Guest

  • "Let yourself be here. Be here with the water, with yourself, with the environment, with the rush of the epic ride, with the tumult of the wave you missed, with the laughter of your new chosen family and friends, with the warmth of Dana and Danie. After three years of surf retreats, this was for me a first: the first effective joining of the group for a shared purpose and presence; the first effective land drills; the first cross step; the first cultivation of the sentiment that we all belong to and in the water no matter where we are in our surf practice. This was not a retreat, but a true adventure - an experience that reconnected me to myself, to the joy of surfing, and to the utterly incredible human beings having their own adventure beside me in a truly nurturing and supportive environment. Please let yourself go on this adventure."

    Kristina (America), Retreat Guest

  • "Wow, after spending a full week with Dana, Danie, their team, and a beautiful group of women; I have no words to express how grateful I am for this experience. Everything in the retreat is hand-picked with every detail in mind, Danie’s organization and management are excellent. Dana’s surf coaching, land drills, and feedback are amazing and I’m still in awe at all the transformations we have all made in just a week.They also are extremely respectful to locals, in and out of the water. Thank you for everything, your mission and passion are felt through your work and you inspire each of us after this transformative week."

    Clara (French-American), Retreat Guest

  • "Dana’s coaching was exceptional and really helped me to reach my goals (noseriding and turns). Danie works in the background to ensure everything runs smoothly. Both Dana and Danie are committed to ethical travel, and they worked tirelessly to ensure funds were spread evenly across the community. We regularly ate out at different local restaurants, used different drivers and hired the very best local surf guides on the island. Ethical surf travel is really important to me, and this, as well as Dana’s incredible surf coaching skills, is something that sets DanceLightly apart from other surf retreats."

    Maddy (Australia), Retreat Guest

  • "Words can not describe how amazing the experience was. Dana really looked out for everyone's goals and made sure each of us moved towards our own. My surfing has improved more than I ever imagined in just 7 days. Feeling most stoked than ever! Overall - I joined the retreat with high expectations, but Dana Danie and the team exceeded all my expectations (by a ton!) if you are still hesitating, just sign up :) It will be the best 7 days ever."

    Vicky (Chinese-American), Retreat Guest

  • "I have been teaching for quite a while now, and every time I watch Dana with the people that she is teaching I’m always impressed at her gift of making everyone feel so comfortable, while at the same time giving them the knowledge they need to become better surfers. Her gift is genuine and is not something that can be taught; it comes from within her. She is truly an amazing person and it rubs off in her teachings whether she is teaching yoga or surfing. And even after all these years of teaching, watching her teach has made me a better teacher."

    Sparky from Sparky’s Surf School Waikiki (Hawaii)

  • “Dear Dana, This time, I will write in French to best express my feelings... I had the opportunity to do several Surftrips with coaching and I must say that yours is by far the best. I could talk about the beauty of the Mentawai, the kindness of the locals, the diversity of the spots and the incredible quality of the waves, but this trip was much more than that, thanks to you. You wanted to transmit to us your energy, your passion, your gratitude towards the ocean and surfing. You opened your heart by giving us your life, you were accessible, open, generous and incredibly kind. I thank you for all that, in addition to the quality of your coaching of course. Your humanity transcends and you are a wonderful example to try to follow with your vision of life. Thank you ocean and thank you too. I would have liked to be able to share more through words, but the language barrier prevented me from doing so, but my heart and mind were open and welcomed your kindness. With Danie, you form a magnificent duo, her joy of life, her mischievous smile and her inimitable laughter make you a great pair. I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you again one day. In any case, it will have been a wonderful experience in every way. Thank you. I kiss you very hard my little croissants!”

    Annabelle (France), Retreat Guest

More kind words

OUR COMMITMENT

We believe in a free, conscious, and empowered approach to living. Surfing is the portal.

Heavy Giving. Light Footprint.

Altruism is at our core. We prioritize the well-being of people and the environment, seamlessly integrating community initiatives. We pay above-average wages, give back to locals, and promote conscious consumption, including local sourcing and reducing waste. We believe in lasting change within ourselves and as a collective.

November 2025 on a Private Island!

Come relax on a private island in eco bungalows off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia for 11 nights ~ October 30 - November 10, 2025 ~ as we uncover the beauty of these untouched islands and the protected landscape around it. Gain deep self-awareness and skill as we flow with the ocean, our environment, and each other in this exclusive and raw space.

2 SPOTS LEFT!

May 17-27, 2026 ~ Mentawai, Indonesia!

We’re headed back to one of the worlds most famous surfing destinations in 2026! Mentawai Islands, Indonesia. It has been known for its big barrels and hollow waves but it’s not only that. The Mentawai’s have a lot to offer for all levels of surfing, of course taking into consideration the conditions and time of year. However, we have intentionally planned this trip for intermediate longboarders looking to get out of their comfort zone, adventure, travel, and transform with the support of DanceLightly by their side.

Click here for more details or send us a message with questions or to reserve your spot!

6 SPOTS LEFT!