CHANGING
THE WAY
WOMEN
LEARN TO SURF


You can’t stop the waves but you can learn to surf.

At Mindful Waves, we use mindfulness-based techniques to create a safe and supportive space where every self-identifying woman can gain the mental and physical skills, ocean knowledge, and confidence to take on the waves.

At her own pace.

danielamunozmindfulwavesnosarasurf

Who we are

Mindful Waves is a unique instructor-led surfing experience that uses a holistic approach to teach women how to surf in a safe, enjoyable, and empowering way. We do this through an everyone-is-welcome-here environment, mindfulness tools, and a focus on more than just the technical skills – don’t worry, though, you’ll learn those, too! 

Our goal is to bring you, our Wavemaker, on a journey that reconnects you to your essence, brings your confidence level to a peak, and empowers you to feel like you can embrace anything that comes your way, both on and off the board.

Unlike conventional surf coaching, this is not about pushing you to stand up. As part of the global Groundswell Community Project, we apply Surf Therapy to guide your mind and body into a state of healing. Together, we will explore practices rooted in Positive Psychology, Somatic Experiencing, and Art-based Therapy to cultivate groundedness, relieve fears, and create space for new beginnings. 

Choose your path

Holistic Surf Coaching

 From getting on the board for the very first time, to becoming better at catching a wave, you will be supported at every step of the way through dedicated coaching and a powerful sense of belonging. 

Therapy Circles

 Led by a Surf Therapy Facilitator, we will help you connect with the ocean, your board, and most importantly, yourself. A welcoming environment where everyone can share openly and hold space for each other.

Our Sanctuary

9°55'41.413"N 85°39'45.233"W


You will find us in Playa Guiones, Provincia Guanacaste, Nosara.

Known for its pristine white-sand beaches surrounded by tropical jungles, Nosara is the epitome of tranquility and natural beauty. Plus, the waves are consistent all year long! Its powerful female energy, stemming from the legend of the indigenous princess after whom the village was named, fuels one of the world’s most diverse and inspiring communities of women surfers.


The Wave

Playa Guiones features some of the most consistent waves in Costa Rica.

Commonly referred to as a ‘swell magnet’, Playa Guiones gathers swells from both northern and southern hemispheres. Its beach break peels to the right and left over a sandy bottom and has multiple peaks along the entire shoreline.

During mid to high tides, the waves are smooth for longboarders to enjoy. 

During low tides, the waves are steep and fast - perfect for shortboarders!

Make the Ocean your new therapy room.
Soak in the joy of living in the now and savoring fleeting moments, while leaning into your edges and into the waves.
Our invite is open!

Choose your path

Our Core Values

SAFETY & CONNECTION

At Mindful Waves, we take our work seriously and safety is of the utmost importance. We will teach you essential safety techniques and surfing etiquette while guiding you to feel safe and connected in the water and in your body.

MINDFULNESS

You will be empowered to access your feelings, thoughts, and sensations to unlock new levels of mindfulness. The goal is for you to maintain this new and exciting sense of presence long after your surfing session is completed.

INSPIRE & EMPOWER

Surfing unlocks self-confidence. By breaking the fear barrier and achieving a tangible personal accomplishment, the waves have helped women everywhere feel more empowered and embrace themselves. We are here to cheer you on as you unlock your full potential.

GIVING BACK

We strive to make surfing an inclusive sport to the women and girls of Nosara. Through our paying-it-forward program, we offer equipment and surfing lessons to local girls, instilling the valuable lesson that girls can do anything.

Letter from our founder


Hola, I'm Dani!


Mindful Waves' story starts with me - a Cartago native who moved to Nosara in an attempt to turn life around and be closer to the ocean.


It was here where I learned to surf, got my first board, and overcame the fear of being in the line-up all by myself. I started Mindful Waves with the hope of sharing what I’ve learned along the way with other women from around the world.

Like many of you, my journey with surfing did not start at a young age. 


While the ocean has always been my playground and oasis of peace, I only got into surfing at the age of 24. New in town, I used to come to Guiones and watch the surfers at sunset. One day, someone approached me and asked why I wasn’t surfing–I said I didn’t know how. They let me borrow their shortboard and I got on the board (as best as I could, anyway). With the borrowed board, I met the ocean and felt presence, happiness, and absolute freedom. 

There it was–the turnaround I had been looking for.


Every day since, my younger self would head to the ocean after work, grab a board, and play in the whitewash. It took time, but my confidence and skills continued to grow, especially as I helped out as a teacher at a surf school where I got to empower other women to get on the board. I loved it. 

Years later, I got to work side-by-side with Andrea Diaz, Costa Rica's first female national surfing champion. Helping Andrea start her Women's Surf program, and at one point even leading the program all on my own, taught me that the connection between women and surfing is special and sacred.


Women at different stages of their surf journey – beginners, intermediates, advanced – talk about surfing in ways that go beyond just getting up a board and riding a wave.


It is a story about connection. It is the feeling of empowerment, accomplishment, and pure joy that women experience while surfing; how we feel strong and beautiful as we are one with the vast ocean. However, as much as women enjoy the ride, we often feel self-conscious or not good enough to sit in the line-up all alone. We feel intimidated. I know I once did...


That’s why my mission is to change the way women learn to surf

and remind women that they–and you–belong in the lineup, and any other space we choose to be in, just as much as anyone else. 


See you in the water! 

- Dani

I strive to create a unique surfing experience that is healing and reconnects women to their essence, so they feel strong in and out of the water.

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