A concept created by Rachel John, Partner of Surf Lodge and Head of Retreats. We bring creators, coaches, and communities together in one of the most beautiful wave destinations in the world.
I first came to Surf Lodge in 2021. Back then the lodge was quiet, but I immediately saw so much potential in the place and what it could become. That is where the journey began.
In 2022 we started organising retreats with my community, and what began as an idea quickly grew into something special. It was a hype! The response was incredible: sold-out retreats and long waiting lists. That is when I realised we had something special that could grow into something much bigger.
Through plenty of trial and error, together with the Surf Lodge team, we learned what makes a retreat truly unforgettable: from creating the perfect schedules and curating amazing food experiences to building a strong local network. We have spent years developing and refining the concept.
“Through this experience, we developed the Collab Camps concept: a way to bring creators and communities together in one of the most beautiful settings in South Africa.”
Scroll back to the original 2022 debut that started it all, or jump forward to current and upcoming 2026 and 2027 editions.
2022
The Debut
2023
6 Editions
2024
8 Editions
2025
16 Editions
2026
Active Now
2027
Upcoming
The edition that started the Collab Camp movement: Rachel John brought 11 women to Surf Lodge for 14 nights of sisterhood, fear-facing, and unforgettable right-hand point breaks.
Six consecutive sold-out retreats through autumn and winter swell seasons, establishing Surf Lodge as South Africa’s premier women’s surf and community sanctuary.
Jack Ring brought the Fleetwood Pack surf coaching crew to J-Bay for intensive hands-on coaching, Eastern Cape safaris, and high-stoke coastal adventures.
Seven sold-out editions cementing the lodge’s signature blend of ocean connection, Big 5 safaris, healthy shared meals, and lifelong friendships.
Emmi launched her first solo-traveler surf community camp, combining playful surf coaching with authentic South African dinners and boma firepit nights.
A milestone year with 16 sold-out collab camps across Rachel John (7 editions), Emmi (3 editions), and Jack Ring (3 editions), hosting over 280 guests.
More than just a camp: a sisterhood. Women coming together to face fears, step out of comfort zones, and build lifelong friendships in J-Bay.
Warm summer vibes, deep connections, and authentic bonding for solo travelers, paired with playful surf coaching under the African sun.
Wanderlust, ocean connection, and sunset yoga sessions overlooking Jeffreys Bay with Demi Mulder. Completely sold out within days of launch.
Peak summer 14-night extended immersion: daily surf progression, ocean wellness, and Eastern Cape safari adventures in the warm Indian Ocean.
High-stoke surf progression, empowering ocean sessions, sunset mindfulness, and vibrant lodge community vibes with South African/US creator Morgan Venn.
Slow, intentional living, yoga, breathwork, and deep outdoor connection with Jade, Megan and Florence. The ocean does not care about your inbox.
The ultimate fun girls trip with Julie and Roos: dancing, beach hopping, iced coffee, sunshine, and making lifelong memories on the South African coast.
After years of building and refining the concept, I want to give others the opportunity to create their own retreats at Surf Lodge. Organising retreats is something I genuinely love and I know how special it can be to bring your own community together in a place like Jeffreys Bay.
Bring your online community into real life. Experience genuine connection around shared dinners, ocean waves, and African sunsets without having to manage hotel operations.
Whether you specialize in surf coaching, yoga, breathwork, or mindfulness, our beachfront facilities and ISA-certified local team handle all logistics so you can focus 100% on coaching.
Create an unforgettable brand experience or team retreat. We will tailor custom itineraries, branded keepsakes, and private lodge hire to match your community aesthetic.
You bring the people and the vision. We’ll help you bring it to life exactly the way you imagine it.
Organising a retreat can feel overwhelming, especially when you are doing it for the first time. That is where we come in. Together with the amazing Surf Lodge team, we will guide you step by step, helping you turn your idea into a fully planned experience.
Exclusive or semi-private lodge setup with ocean-view suites, shared rooms, swimming pool, outdoor boma firepit, and panoramic surf lookout.
Hands-on coaching tailored to complete beginners and progressing surfers. Quality wetsuits, boards, and local ocean knowledge included for every guest.
Daily wholesome breakfasts, healthy post-surf lunches, hosted traditional South African braais (barbecues), and wood-fired pizza nights crafted by our team.
Seamless local excursions: private Addo Elephant National Park game drives, waterfall hikes, wakeboarding at the Lake House, and surfskate sessions.
Stress-free guest management: dedicated booking engine link with automatic deposits, currency conversions, guest detail intake, and airport transfers.
Lucrative, transparent compensation models. We calculate clear margins and commission payouts so you are rewarded fairly for bringing your community.
As a partner of Surf Lodge and Head of Retreats, I will be working with you behind the scenes, together with the amazing Surf Lodge team, to help turn your idea into an unforgettable experience.
You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. We will share our knowledge, experience and trusted local network to help make the process as smooth as possible. Every Collab Camp is different, and we will work closely with you to create an experience that reflects your vision and feels uniquely yours.
Now I want to share that experience with you and help you create something of your own.
Have an idea for a retreat? We would love to hear about it. Let’s make it happen in Jeffreys Bay.
