December 1–5, 2025

Surf2Renew

Join us for a 5-day retreat to navigate grief and find your way forward.

Michelle Desmond, a recognized expert with extensive training on grief and lived experience with loss, leads this intimate retreat set along the raw beauty of Ericeira’s coastline - Europe’s only World Surfing Reserve. Surf2Renew weaves together surfing, grief guidance, yoga, reflection, and more.

Grief touches us all, yet we
are often unprepared to care
for ourselves when it happens.

Loss comes in many forms: the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a shift in identity, or even leaving behind a former version of yourself.

Surf2Renew offers a rare opportunity to learn, pause, reflect, and reconnect – through the power of the ocean, stillness, movement, and community.

What’s Included

  • 4 nights luxury accommodation at Swellnest

  • Daily surf sessions (all levels welcome)

  • Group grief-focused workshops and conversations

  • Daily yoga, meditation, and wellness practices

  • One-to-one grief guidance session with Michelle

  • Massage therapy (optional)

  • Group dinners (a blend of in-house dining and local restaurants)

  • Daily nourishing breakfast and lunch

  • Access to sauna, ice bath, and two pools (one warm, one cold)

  • Time and space for rest, reflection, and connection

  • Airport transfers

The location: Ericeira, Portugal

A world-class surf village perched above the Atlantic, Ericeira offers the perfect balance of adventure and stillness. Only 35 minutes from Lisbon, its authenticity, charm, and coastal beauty create an ideal setting for renewal and connection – with yourself and with others.

Meet Michelle Desmond

Hello, I’m Michelle. As a thanatologist (expert in death, dying, and bereavement), I am passionate about making an impact on the modern experiences of loss and grief. I come to this work after many years as a corporate executive and a lifetime of significant personal loss. I translate the science and theory of grief into workshops, classes, and retreats where education and guidance meet community, movement, and reflection.

The goal is to help make these difficult, universal, highly unique realities of life easier to understand and integrate - so that you can better support yourself and others through loss. I seek to create a welcoming, understanding, knowledgeable environment where grief is seen and supported. I would be honored to support you in tending to your grief at Surf2Renew.

Why Surf2Renew?

  • The grief program is led by Michelle Desmond, an expert on the modern grief experience. 
Her expertise is sought at conferences, within corporations, and as a visiting specialist at one of the world’s leading wellness destinations. Michelle’s approach pairs research-based, accessible education with compassionate, individualised guidance.

    Her credentials include a Master of Science degree in thanatology (the study of death, dying, and bereavement), certification through the American Academy of Grief Counseling, and an MBA. Services offered at Surf2Renew are not intended as mental health care.

    Learn more about Michelle at ongriefanddeath.com.

  • Grief is universal, yet deeply individual. This retreat welcomes anyone carrying loss – whether recent or 
long-standing, visible or unspoken. Each guest will be received without judgement, in an environment of care, understanding, and compassion.

  • Daily wellness practices, including yoga, breathwork, massage, and guided meditation, help integrate 
the emotional journey through the physical body, offering both grounding and renewal.

  • Surfing invites presence, trust, surrender, resilience, and play. Whether you are catching your very first wave or returning to the ocean as an experienced surfer, time in the water will meet you exactly where you are, opening space for both release and joy.

  • Sharing circles, nourishing communal meals, and time for rest and solitude create a natural rhythm for reflection and connection. Within Swellnest’s ocean-view setting, moments of joy, laughter, and lightness balance the depth of the work.

A Note on Grief

Grief is one of the most difficult experiences we will face as humans. It is not something to fix, finish, or get over. At Surf2Renew, we believe in the power of understanding, expressing, and integrating loss. This retreat offers space, guidance, and community to support your journey. We hope your time with us brings comfort, clarity, and confidence in your path forward, no matter what brought you here.

Everything You Need to Know Before Booking Surf2Renew Retreat

  • Surf2Renew welcomes anyone navigating grief — whether recent or long-standing, visible or unspoken. All are received with care, compassion, and without judgment.

  • Not at all! Surf sessions are open to all levels. Whether it’s your very first wave or you’re an experienced surfer, the ocean will meet you where you are.

  • Your stay includes 4 nights of luxury accommodation at Swellnest, daily surf sessions, yoga and wellness practices, grief workshops, one-to-one guidance with Michelle, group dinners, nourishing breakfasts and lunches, and access to wellness facilities like sauna, ice bath, and pools.

  • All rooms at Swellnest are private, modern, and designed for rest and comfort with views of the ocean. Guests can choose their preferred room type depending on availability at the time of booking.

    Know more here.

  • No — you don’t need to select a Swellnest package to reserve your place at the retreat. Simply reach out through this form to book your spot, and we’ll take care of the rest.

  • The retreat takes place in Ericeira, Portugal — a world-class surf village just 35 minutes from Lisbon, known for its coastal beauty and charm.

  • The program is led by Michelle Desmond, a grief expert with both academic and personal experience. She creates a safe and supportive environment for renewal.

  • Yes — please let us know in advance about any dietary requirements, and we’ll do our best to accommodate them.

  • Simply fill out the booking form on this page. Once your spot is reserved, we’ll follow up with next steps and additional details.

Can’t make Dec 1–5?

Good news! We’re planning a second date for Dec 9–12. Join the waitlist and be the first to know when spots open.