What I Do & Why It's Different
Six-day women's surf retreats in Byron Bay plus an annual surf-coaching certification. Former Australian junior surf champion turned coach after a shoulder injury at twenty-two. Specializes specifically in surf coaching for women.
Six-Day Women's Retreats
Daily Pre-Sunrise Yoga
Annual Instructor Certification
All Meals Home-Cooked
Video Review Daily
Wategos and Surrounding Breaks
Women-Only by Design
Former Junior Champion
Two Coaches, Not One
Coach-Training Pathway
What Actually Happens
First session of the day, water temp 19, Wategos Beach
Mid-morning paddle out, May cohort
Bella coaching on the water
End of day, board on the sand
Wategos line-up, late afternoon
"I learned more about my surfing in six days with Bella than in eight years with male coaches. The women-only format changes everything. I came home and joined a women's lineup at home for the first time."
"Two coaches on the water means actual coaching, not yelling from shore. Jess's food is criminally underrated. The whole format is the standard now."
"The certification reframed my coaching. I run a school in Cornwall and my students improved within six weeks of me changing my approach."
"I came to surf and made eight friends. Bella's design — women only, slow days, intense sessions — creates a different kind of group than I have ever been in."
"I had been wanting to learn for ten years. The beginner-specific dates are a different format and Bella runs them with the same care as the advanced retreats. I caught my first green wave on day four."
"I have surfed for eleven years and never been told my pop-up was inefficient. Bella corrected it on day one. Day six I was catching waves I would not have attempted before. The format works."
"I am a coach in Western Australia and Bella's certification reframed how I think about coaching women specifically. The framework is real. My students improved within weeks."
"I came alone, not knowing anyone. I left with eight new friends and a paddle stroke that finally works. Jess's cooking is criminally underrated. Worth flying from Israel."
What It's Like to Be Here
Mornings start with yoga before sunrise. Then the first surf session — usually two hours — coached on the water by Bella and one other coach. Breakfast follows, then a long midday rest. Afternoon session is the second surf, plus video review of the morning. Evenings are dinner cooked by Jess and conversation. The retreats are intense in the water and surprisingly slow in the rest of the day. By day six you will have met women who become friends for life.
Who Comes to My Retreats
Mostly intermediate surfers — women who can paddle out, can take a wave, but want to progress. About thirty percent are advanced. About fifteen percent are beginner-leaning who got recommended by a previous participant. Ages range from late twenties to early sixties.
Not for couples who want to surf together — Jess can recommend mixed-retreat options. Not for people who want a quiet, low-effort week. Not for people uncomfortable in surf above three feet (those participants should book a beginner-specific date).
Upcoming Retreats
I run a few retreats a year. Leave your email and I'll let you know when the next one opens.
Six-Day Women's Surf Retreat — May Cohort
Beginner-Friendly Six-Day Retreat — March
If you have a question, want to discuss a private group, or just want to say hi — I read every message.