"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. Under Dana's keen observation and approach, she ensured that each wave was a step towards improvement. Despite the multitude of nuances in my technique that needed attention, Dana skillfully honed in on one aspect at a time, which gave me a sense of progress and accomplishment with every wave. The video analysis sessions were incredible, offering such great insights into refining my skills. Behind the scenes, Danie's amazing organization ensured that every logistical detail was seamlessly executed, allowing us to focus wholeheartedly on the surf and soak in the magic of our surroundings. Her vibrant spirit and infectious enthusiasm added an extra layer of joy to the experience. The location was mind-blowing. The accommodation was AMAZING and the food was incredible. The staff at the resort were so welcoming and beautiful. They went above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of our stay was perfect, always with a smile on their faces. As the week drew to a close, I found myself not only rejuvenated by the saltwater and sunshine but also enriched by the connections forged and the lessons learned. The surf retreat in Indonesia wasn't just a holiday; it was a transformative journey of self-discovery and adventure. It's an experience I'll carry with me always, and I truly can't wait to do it again."

— Gab S. (Australia)

"Before embarking on this adventure, I did weeks of research looking for a surf retreat. The surf retreat industry is heavily saturated at the moment and I was looking for an option that would improve my skills as an intermediate surfer while making sure I was contributing to the local community I was traveling to. DanceLightly really stood out for several key reasons. Dana, despite being so young, has 10+ years of surf coaching experience. Not only is she an extremely talented and graceful surfer with her own personal style, she is an excellent communicator. 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. Dana and Danie work together seamlessly to deliver a week of fun, amazing food and epic adventure with all round great vibes. DanceLightly attracts like minded people from all over the world, from all walks of life. I had a ball getting to know everyone, and cheering each other on in the surf. I highly, highly recommend DanceLightly to anyone wanting to improve their surfing, make new friends and soak up a new culture."

— Maddy D. (Australia)

"I went to the first remote location in Indonesia and it was a dream! We had all the waves to ourselves most of the time, and the few times we had to share, it was only with a few other people. This is a much different experience than all of the other good surf spots in the world! The best part was our resort was right on the beach and only a paddle away from three different surf breaks. The technical instruction is top tier. Dana always has systematic, actionable advice. Her video analysis and in-water coaching are game-changing for all levels of surfers. I learn way more from her coaching than I ever have from anyone else. Dana also includes mindset coaching and land drills, equally important to in-water training. I had several moments of falling down a shame spiral about my progress, but Dana and Danie were always there to listen compassionately and offer a positive perspective. I appreciate how they create a safe space to learn about surfing and allow people to be themselves. Because of this safe and supportive environment, I was able to take action on needed improvements throughout the week. I even got out of my own head to try cross-stepping! This was my second Dance Lightly retreat, and the other guests were genuinely good people both times. Like attracts like and Dana and Danie always seem to attract other beautiful souls. Both retreats were very well organized by Danie. I love DanceLightly retreats so much that I already have a third one booked for later this year! If you want to dramatically step up your surfing game with a well-organized retreat with high-quality instruction, I highly recommend DanceLightly."

— Angie H. (America)

"I am the lucky person who had the chance to not join only 1, but 2 retreats with DanceLightly. And I wouldn't have it any other way, both retreats were epic. Dana and Danie are a true inspiration They both make themselves vulnerable, which made me feel safe in making myself vulnerable as well. The way Dana is coaching is truly amazing. She has a personal approach and she helped me a lot to reach my goals. She also truly has eyes everywhere in the water and she has seen everything from everyone. Which makes her give us a lot of feedback/ options to do. My way of Surfing changed a lot because of her. She taught me to flow with the ocean. Now when I go surfing and a struggle comes up, Dana her coaching voice pops up in my head and helps me get over it. And then there is Danieee, she is also always there if you need anything and she is the best cheerleader in the water :D, she made me laugh lots of times. Love them both ♡ Then the local coaches they work with are so nice. They are professionals that help to get the best waves and provide the good vibes, always. Also I met amazing people, we were all there for the same reason, which made it easy to feel connected. We had so much fun, joy, laughter and tears. DL creates sister/brotherhood for life. The spot where we went to, the food, the staff, are truly amazing. I felt like a princess. You can tell DanceLightly is made with heart and soul. I am so grateful that I was a part of it. And maybe I will join another retreat again in the future, because it's so good :D"

— Elien H. (Belgium)

"This was my third retreat with Dana and Danie and one of the most magical experiences of my life! The location was absolutely perfect. Delicious food for every meal, lovely attentive staff, amazing rooms and amenities, and spectacular views. The surf - totally unparalleled! Long, perfect waves to play on with expert guidance from Dana and the local surf coaches in the water. Dana's video analysis and coaching remains next level. I'm always amazed at how technical, detailed and specific her feedback is and saw my surfing improve so much over the course of the retreat. As usual, Dana and Danie effortlessly created a lovely supportive environment for everyone in the group that fostered deeper connection and vulnerability while still making sure we were all having an absolute blast. They're also clearly dedicated to giving back and investing in their local community, as well as looking after everyone on their team. I will always be a return customer!"

— Neha K. (Australia)

"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. I really appreciated their openness and honesty regarding their lives, their business, and living in Lombok. They make you feel like you’re their best friend instantly! The food that they hand-picked for us was so delicious and immersed us into eating local food too, the BEST! Thank you for everything, your mission and passion are felt through your work and you inspire each of us after this transformative week. I left this retreat with valuable surf knowledge, a new group of friends for life, inspiration to continue dancing lightly on land and water!!"

— Clara S. (French-American)

"Words can not describe how amazing the experience was. Surfing: 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. I learned more in a week than I did in the last two years. Feeling most stoked than ever! Thanks Dana and team! Community: The group vibe was just nothing but magical! Dana, Danie, and the crew made us feel super welcome and supported. I'm still blown away by how they built such a tight-knit community in a few days. I left with a bunch of awesome new friends. Accommodation: It was top-notch. The staff was super friendly, the accomodation was super (super super super) clean, and comfortable. The food was delicious. Definitely a solid 10 out of 10. 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 Z. (Chinese-American)

"DanceLightly retreat was the most amazing time away surrounded by like minded people and learning and growing as a surfer! Dana is passionate about the ocean, wellness and surfing and this oozes out of each of the sessions. Her coaching is well thought out, personalized and so very helpful! She invests a lot personally to understand everyone individually on the retreat and help you grow in your skills, confidence and mindset. The in water prompts, extensive video analysis and one to one chats are so relevant and helpful and led to improvements daily and positive shifts in mindset. The organization-accommodation, food, travel and itinerary was fantastic. It was so amazing to know everything was taken care of and for a busy mum that truly felt like a retreat and rest in itself. Highly recommend and I can't wait to get back and do another one!!"

— Jamie L. (Australia)

"This retreat exceeded ALL of my expectations. My initial purpose coming into this retreat was to just have fun surfing in another country. After the initial welcoming dinner, I instantly knew something deeper was going to transform from this trip. Forming bonds and just speaking with Dana and Danie, I found myself overcoming this mental block both inside and outside of the water that I was unconsciously trying to avoid. Mentally and physically I was starting to feel lighter. Along with all of the knowledge from the boys in the water, the surfing was insaaaane. Days were filled with insane waves, many many smiles and laughter, and lots of great food. I'm wholeheartedly grateful for all of the bonds, new friendships, and experiences earned on this retreat. I WILL FOREVER RECOMMEND DANCELIGHTLY RETREATS. See you both soon because I'll definitely be back for more!"

— Bry C. (Hawaii)

"The DanceLightly retreat was truly life changing. Dana and Danie created a space that welcomed all of me - inside and out of the water. They are people who walk the walk, so being around them was inspiring in so many ways. Everything from the location, to the daily agendas, to the group of people on the retreat was perfect and just flowed. My surfing improved more than I could have imagined but more importantly this retreat really transformed my relationship to myself. I will definitely be coming back for another one!"

— Margo K. (Greek-American)

"The name of the retreat DanceLightly speaks for itself. It opened my mind and heart that we should always dance lightly on a longboard and through life! Danie is absolutely amazing, prepares everything for us and makes sure we are feeling welcomed all the time!! In the sea she is always cheering for us and giving us advice we can apply right away! Dana was born to be a coach! She helps us connect surfing to our mind, body and soul and helps us understand that everything should feel like it flows.... On top of that she gives us amazing technical instructions that are 100% applicable when surfing! I am re-energized after this week! Feeling gratitude and love for surfing and life! Thank you, DanceLightly!"

— Gabi B. (Brazil)

"Three retreats in and it’s just keep getting better and better! Danie and Dana continue to provide a great space for adventure, surf development, luxurious rest, personal growth and a lot of fun! The surf coaching is great- detailed, technical, you learn a lot! I love how there are always a lot of activities and things to do, but you can also have time to wind down, relax and read a book. What a treat and luxury to be part of DanceLighly retreats!"

— Alicja O. (Poland)

"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 K. (America)

"The both of you make such an incredible team. I had an absolutely wonderful week, filled with laugh, sun, delicious food, lovely friends and of course surf ! Dana, your love and passion for the Surf is transmitted so authentically, in every single detail. Your advice in the Ocean, on land, during the video analysis, the land drills, the Yoga part, the Ice Bath, everything was perfect. I have no other words than « gratitude » and « admiration » when I think of you. I’ve learned more in a week than in a year. You are awesome. Danie, this retreat wouldn’t have been the same without you. Thank you so much for sharing this space and yourself with us. Your love for what you do really shines through. I love you energy ma sirène. Coordination and all arrangements, has been absolutely flawless."

— Farah G. (Senegal, Africa)

"The retreat was exactly what I needed—thanks to both your intuitive manner of holding space, creating opportunities for growth and expressing deep kindness in every moment. I have so much respect not just for your knowledge of the ocean and ability to coach all bodies and levels of experience, but for your dedication to the community in which you work and the equitable environment you have created for your team. This speaks volumes of the people you are, and is reflected in the care each one of your team members showed us. To create something this special takes not just love, but a lot of hard work and it really shows. Dana, your light is that you really see people. Without having to explain much, you heard me and helped me. You gave me so much to think about both in and out of the water—more than you know. Danie, your magic is that you bring lightness. You orchestrated everything in such a way that it felt effortless, flowed with every change and you showed up for each of us with endless positivity."

— Tanvi M. (America)

"Woweeeeee. What a time. Thank you both so very much. It really hit me when saying goodbye. This trip was transformative, truly incredible and I am so grateful for you two! Both of your dedication and commitment to creating such a beautiful retreat was so powerful and special. I am really happy I got to experience it. Ahhh! Everything was curated so perfectly and it was truly lovely to see you help locals and give back to the community. You gave your all and it was a beautiful, well rounded experience. You two are incredibly inspiring and I am excited for everyone who comes across DanceLightly! Last week on reflection was quite life changing. How the retreat was advertised really resonated with me. It's been a rough past few years for me and this year I have been really pushing myself to be open and finding joy and happiness. This week really pushed me to change my mindset and be open to new experiences (still growing here but it's a never ending journey right haha). Thank you for introducing me to ice baths - and breath work especially. The support you both provide and the environment you have created allows for such growth. You've assembled a top notch team. The guys and all their positive energy helped me to really appreciate life's simplicities, especially in the water. And further, I want to be a better version of myself. Showing care to all, to help others and make others smile. Every single one of them had such infectious positive energy! This week really challenged me and helped me grow. It took a while for me to warm up but I want you both to know how much I really appreciate all your efforts. Thanks again for all the support and words of encouragement. You two are amazingggggggg and so so special! You both have such big hearts!! I have so much love and gratitude for you both! Dana - I don't know how you do it but you do it all with a smile. Your grace flows from the board to interactions with everyone. Your tips and advice have helped me so much already and will prove valuable forever. Thank you for showing up and being vulnerable with us. I too come from a not so supportive of the unconventional pathway so I am cheering you on! Keep at it and doors will continue to open for you. Danie, I also don't know how you do it! And I cannot even comprehend all the time spent organizing every detail. You have the best of intentions and it shows. Your level of care and planning is unmatched! Thank you for all the hearty meals and working with my dietary needs."

— Mel O. (Australia)

"As a teacher and pro surfer Dana is super involved and has zero ego. This is an entirely different vibe than all coaches I've ever had. Sue described it best - "With Dana you're getting a friend" which sounds cheesy but is so true and powerful! There are so many things I appreciated about her teaching style that l'll just bullet them to try to be concise: - Cares about every surfer and their individual goals; she takes a lot of time to observe each individual and champions them when they succeed - She pays respect. It was awesome how much Dana highlighted the Hawaiian surf uncles and aunties as having an impact on her talent. Also showed so much gratitude for the local boy’s knowledge and skill. - Can sense discouragement and is a great motivator - this takes so much emotional intelligence to be able to sense this stuff and help people overcome it in the water - Great at explaining technique. She drills certain concepts like bending your knees, weight displacement, where you need to look, how to use your arms to guide you, foot on/off the fin, etc. in a way that makes it easy to understand and intuitive. - Is truly energized by helping others succeed. At the expense of her own free time, she can't help but analyze all that she observes to help others improve - Leads by example. Having Dana catch waves with us or help explain what she does in certain situations was so inspiring!"

— Alex M. (America)

"The first DanceLightly retreat for 2023! You and Danie absolutely nailed the beautiful treatment for your retreaters- accomodation and food options and transport were 100%. Great selection of good longboards too! Nothing needed to be done except turn up and surf. The retreat has a number of amazing local surfers who come along for safety and advice. These guys rip and they watch and give handy tips in the water, currents, positioning, etc….real time assistance, sometimes in surround sound! Then there is extensive video analysis with Dana, plus drills, plus one on one chats. A very full week but it’s obvious as the week goes on the improvements you can see. Favourite part aside from the surf was the fact that I really let go of preconceived ideas of what I should do or look like or how I should surf. Once I did that I felt free to experiment with positioning on the board, foot placement, arm position (and eyes) all of which made my surfing much more relaxing and therefore improved. I realised it is OK I’m not going to be like all the people I see on Social media being ‘perfect’ - my surfing is mine and I have fun doing what I do. Small improvements are OK! So from now on I’m not comparing myself anymore, I’m letting other people's opinions/unsolicited advice go over like water. It might seem like a small thing but so freeing, and very hard won mentally. So even though I might not have ‘improved’ visibly or had major steps forward like others, (hello social media again) my mental voice has calmed down to (almost silent) and my heart feels relaxed and happy. A pretty amazing gift from you Dana! I absolutely would recommend the retreat and have been doing so. Interestingly quite a few men have asked if they are welcome and I said yes!"

— Diana P. (Australia)

"I went into this retreat for the week feeling like a bit of a lost soul after being through a fairly whirlwind few months. I had no expectations other than to have some new experiences, meet some new people and get some waves. Little did I know that this was going to be one of the best weeks of my life that I’ll cherish forever. Dana and Daniela have so meticulously curated a perfect week's worth of activities that had me smiling from ear to ear and feeling so content and happy within my soul. My surfing improved, I learnt new skills, met beautiful new people from all walks of life and learnt to be more self aware, in and out of the water. From the accommodation, the food, the people and the businesses they choose to associate and work with. You can feel the pride these two take in what they are creating and how they are branding DanceLightly. Thank you both so much for such an amazing and powerful week. I will undoubtedly be back again, I cannot speak more highly of DanceLightly and everything it stands for."

— Louis B. (Australia)

"I just wanted to share some words and feelings that have been with me since the incredible retreat. I want to say thank you for facilitating such a transformative experience. Your connection and respect for the place, the people and the culture is palpable and your passion for what you do seeps into every moment , whether it be in the surf or on the land. Every moment is filled with intention and reflection with a lot of laughs in between. You are a very experienced and attuned coach providing individualised support and guidance. Since returning I have felt more focussed , more confident but also playful with my surfing. So thank you to you and your team for creating such an incredible experience. Oh and the food !!! The food was sensational! It was a very well organised, highly professional and genuine retreat. I can’t wait to come back in March! Xxx"

— Kate S. (Australia)

"This retreat was nothing short of amazing. Everyone comes for different reasons, and I came for mostly technical expertise. I have been longboarding for 2 years and felt my progress going in circles. Dana and her team at DanceLightly gave me the knowledge l was lacking to start noseriding consistently, a skill that l've looked forward to learning since I started surfing. This retreat gave me the gift of levitation and flow, something that I cannot put a price tag on. Also, can we just talk about the food?!?!?! The most diverse and delicious local and ethnic food I have eaten in the course of 10 days Whether you're looking to improve your mindset or technical skills, this retreat has you covered 10000%. Thank you for DanceLightly for an absolutely flawless experience in and out of the water!"

— Steven M. (America)

"I loved the group of people that we surfed with (guests and crew) – respectful, intelligent, fun and interesting. I loved the caring environment that Danie and Dana created in and out of the water. Care for us, care for the other surfers in the water, for the surf guides, drivers, local businesses – everything was thoughtful and nothing was too much trouble. And all done with fun and lightness. I enjoyed the additional activities including the painful ones! Also catching heaps of waves! That surfing is a skill that can be broken down into parts and taught. That once you understand the different elements, you can work on them and feel a sense of progression, no matter where you are starting from. That generosity of spirit, as lived and shared by both Danie and Dana, builds a positive and creative force that is infectious and inspiring. Dana is a generous, passionate, skilled coach and an excellent communicator. Her coaching is holistic - including an understanding of body awareness, postural alignment, balance, energetic flows, and the connection to the ocean, as well as a deep knowledge of longboard surf skills and how to share these. Her video analysis is detailed, and always encouraging. She is able to work with people at different levels and help each progress from wherever they are. She understands the pressure people put on themselves and how to help them deal with that in a constructive and kind way. Skills for life!"

— Lailani B. (New Zealand)

"Dana and Dani have created DanceLightly as the ultimate boutique long boarding retreat experience. They are an amazing team, together they have created a unique, bespoke and personalized opportunity to further anyone's surfing journey. They showed extraordinary professionalism, with every detail carefully planned from pre travel queries, airport transfers, supporting local through choice of employees, resort selection, locally made tote bags- filled with Lombok treasures, choice of surf times and locations to local hip cool restaurants and well articulated training and coaching methods like no other. Dana and Dani were both authentic, positive, fun, kind, understanding, empathetic, encouraging and two of the most beautiful souls I have had the opportunity to meet. Through sharing their own vulnerability, they created an environment for participants to bond quickly and form lifelong friendships around the globe. The local surf coaches were incredible and also made the time special. Dana's individualized approach ensured every person improved and had all the information to continue to progress post retreat. Land drills, yoga, video analysis, and live coaching helped make this happen. The combination of Dana's athletic background and history of surf coaching makes her attention to each person's goals a priority. Her level of observation and understanding of the skills of wave positioning, body positioning, board positioning, makes her articulate and relatable feedback easy to put into practice - she is a super coach. Dani ensured no two days were the same, whilst the itinerary was action packed, time seemed to stop and our week felt like a month. Post surf chats, coconuts, bin tang and dancing were part of our everyday life. An incredible memorable week of laughing, surfing, dancing and more- love love love what DanceLightly have created."

— Rachel P. (America)

"I wanted to share with you all my love and gratitude. What we shared all together was pure magic. It was authentic, it was generous, it was beautiful, it was tender. I felt so light and in my place. Since I came back, I often take a moment where I close my eyes and imagine us in the lineup. And my heart instantly fills. It gives me energy and joy. Thank you for sharing your passion with such grace and devotion. I was so happy to ride waves by your side. You are truly an inspiration. Believe in yourself, in your path. You are a very singular person. Be proud of yourself and of what you have accomplished. Don’t fear anything. This is only the beginning. I can’t wait to spend time again with you. I love you!"

— Margot C. (Senegal, Africa)

"My week with DanceLightly turned out to be so much more than a surf retreat. First of all, Dana is the first surfer ever that I have met that can articulate so clearly the steps to improve your long board skills. But on top of this, alongside Danie, she creates such a safe space that everyone feels empowered to try new moves and most importantly allows a human connection like no other. The location and the food were epic, the local coaches were super friendly and the overall organization was perfect. Thank you DanceLightly!!! I will be back <3"

— Peggy N. (France)

“I had a wonderful time during DanceLightly retreat and I bet I will never EVER get a coaching like Dana’s. In the water or in land, her advices were so precious and brought me a lot of confidence! The team is so generous and inspiring. The way they respect water and local values were so important to me. I was not a longboarder but I am becoming one now! Thank you to all the team behind DanceLightly!”

— Sophie T. (Senegal, Africa)

“A MUST for any soul surfer, spiritual seeker, friend to all beings, conscious traveller, gratitude giver and lover of the mama ocean and the environment. This retreat for us as a couple and our 8 month baby was a time we will treasure for the rest of our lives. We know the memories will be a highlight of our lifetimes and this experience called us to journey across the world to be a part of Dana and Danie’s work. We couldn’t have felt safer, more welcomed and in pure joyful FUN the entire week. Thank you so much for all that you do. You are masters at this work and we can’t wait to return for more.”

— Catherine & James G. (England)

“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 D. (France)

“I can’t say enough about my experience with DanceLightly’s retreat in the Ments—it was absolutely transformative! Dana, the coach, is a true gem. She’s incredibly passionate about helping you reach your surfing goals, and her approach to both the sport and the ocean is so holistic. I learned so much from her, not just about technique, but about how to truly connect with the ocean. Danie was equally amazing, always supportive and full of energy. It was a privilege to support these two amazing humans, and I left the retreat feeling inspired, more confident in my surfing, and deeply connected to the water. If you’re looking for a retreat that combines expert coaching, personal growth, and an amazing sense of community, DanceLightly is the place to be! I can’t recommend it enough.”

— Kristen N. (America)

"It's hard to put into words what a catalyzing experience and core memory it was for me. A DanceLightly retreat is truly so much more than a surf retreat - it was everything I had hoped for after connecting with Dana online and admiring her soulful approach to surfing. The entire Dance Lightly crew (Dana, Danie, Jarek) is super welcoming, authentic, kind and committed to your progress and growth. I attended the Indonesia retreat and loved that we were in a secluded, quiet location with the entire resort and waves to ourselves majority of the time. Dana is an exceptional coach that has the ability to provide specific individualized actionable feedback on your surfing. She manages to make the retreat a perfect blend of technical (land drills, technique, ocean theory) but also conscious and spiritual (addressing mindset, conscious traveling and the environment). Danie is a sweetheart - incredibly supportive, approachable, organized and FUN! Thank you for an unforgettable experience and I can’t wait to share more waves and moments with you! <3"

— Valerie E. (Canada)

"The DanceLightly retreat was far more than a “learn to surf” or “discover freediving” retreat, even though those teachings are a beautiful consequence of the week. Dana, Danie and Bri taught us how to be vulnerable with ourselves and embrace the humility of learning from each other and the ocean. Their lessons gave me confidence to know my place in the ocean and therefore the technical improvements came naturally. Everything about the retreat was phenomenal - from the food, to the underlying values, and their support of the local community. Our local surf guides were legends in their own right and taught me so much about reading the sets and feeling the waves. Each individual brought something valuable and inspiring and I now have some incredible friendships in Lombok. I cannot express enough how grateful I am for this opportunity, these people, and the sea that brought us together."

— Jas R. (Australia)

"Such a fantastic retreat with Dance Lightly! All our surf sessions were super fun which is a testament to the values embodied by the team. Dana's surf coaching is so personal and customised, and she balances giving advice on technique and technical skills with the bigger picture (mindset, reading waves, tapping into the flow, appreciating nature). I was able to meet the surfing goals I set for myself over the week! Danie's amazing "behind the scenes" skills meant that our group was always taken care of, both in and out of the water. Our group was so chilled and the energy was so positive! Jarek, Ardhy and Ken are awesome surfers and it's such a pleasure to share the waves with them. Their local knowledge is second to none and they make sure everyone feels safe and welcome in the water. Dance Lightly retreats are highly recommended and second to none!”

— Kevin C. (Malaysia)

“Going on retreat with DanceLightly was truly transformational and life-affirming at this time in my life. When I left the retreat, I felt like the retreat time hadn’t truly finished because I was focused on bringing the feelings from the time spent to my daily life. Listening to Dana’s story, and sliding between mangrove trees, surfing with local guides and sharing special moments with everyone involved in DanceLightly, encouraged me to bring deeper consciousness and listening to my waking life—can’t recommend this experience enough, I wish everyone had a chance to fly on wings made of water.”

— Reina T. (Australia)

“The Dancelightly retreat in Indonesia was exactly what I needed. I had been following Dana for a few years while the fomo continued to pile on with each awesome surf video she would post. Then I finally bought the ticket. I’d been feeling stuck and a little burnt out, and this retreat completely reset me—in the best way possible. From the moment I arrived, everything felt easy, warm, and welcoming. Dana and Danie created such a supportive space for all of us, and you could see how much thought went into every detail. A huge shoutout to Danie, who orchestrated everything behind the scenes so seamlessly. She arranged all of our meals, which were cooked by her favorite local chefs—and wow, the food was incredible. We ate the most delicious, authentic Indonesian dishes every day. It seriously felt like we were being spoiled. The accommodations were absolutely wonderful—comfortable, peaceful, and just the right mix of simple and special. I absolutely loved starting each morning with the group over breakfast—such a good way to ease into the day and connect before hitting the water. And I can’t say enough about how amazing it was to spend time with the new friends I made on this retreat. Everyone was kind, open, and just down to earth. It made the whole experience that much more special. One of the coolest parts of the retreat was the surf coaching. We had drone footage taken while we were out on the water, and then in the evening we’d watch the clips and go over them as a group. It was such a unique and helpful way to improve—seeing yourself surf and having Dana break things down was a total game changer. Also, a huge highlight was the free diving sessions with Brie. She created such a calm and safe space for us to try something totally new. Floating under the surface like that, holding my breath, feeling completely present—it was one of the most peaceful things I’ve ever experienced. I left the retreat feeling strong, happy, and totally recharged. If you’re thinking about going—do it. You won’t regret it!”

— Maissa L. (America)