Independent Surfer
DISCOVER OUR STORY
Surf & Yoga Retreats | Online Courses | Social Media
The Independent Surfer was created in 2020 as the pandemic forced Surf Camp Lombok to close for the time being. Life partners Kimberly and Jordy created the Independent Surfer to share their passion and knowledge for surfing with the world. Since then they have shared knowledge with thousands of surfers around the world, through online courses, surf and yoga retreats and social media platforms like YouTube and Instagram.
Jordy
Founder
Originally hailing from the rugged East Coast of South Africa, I’ve been surfing waves since 2007. A passion for teaching led me to become a surf instructor in 2013, where I honed my skills and deepened my understanding of the sport. With a keen eye for detail and a scientific approach, I’ve dedicated my career to unraveling the intricacies of surfing.
After a successful stint as Head Instructor and Part-Owner of Surf Camp Lombok in Indonesia, I’ve brought my expertise to The Independent Surfer. Inspired by the challenges of learning to surf I’ve carefully crafted a curriculum that addresses all aspects of surfing, from fundamentals to advanced maneuvers that will help any surfers see progress in no time.
Kimberly
Founder
I am originally from New Jersey and didn’t start surfing until 2016. I found surfing while traveling around Indonesia after graduating from law school, a few months before starting my first job in “Big Law.” I completely fell in love with surfing and was crushed when I started working long hours in an office far from the ocean. So, I did the only thing I could think of: went on an extreme budget, paid off all my law school loans in two years, and moved to California. Once I made it to California, I thought I was living the dream, but I managed to get even luckier from there. In 2019, I landed a job working completely remotely. Before starting the new job, I went back to the same surf camp in Indonesia for a two-week trip. Again, I fell in love, but this time with a new surf instructor at the camp, Jordy. I promptly let my company know that I would be staying in Indonesia, and the rest is history. My goal with the Independent Surfer is to inspire you to chase your surf dreams regardless of where you are in life.
Our Mission
The Independent Surfer is dedicated to empowering surfers of all levels through comprehensive and innovative educational programs. We strive to create the best and most accessible surf courses, offered both online and in-person at our surf and yoga retreats and surf clubs. Our mission is to foster a supportive and inclusive community where individuals can learn, grow, and achieve their surfing goals. We prioritize attention to detail, personalized instruction, and a deep understanding of the sport to ensure that every surfer receives the highest quality education.
We believe that the best surf experiences happen beyond the ordinary. Our carefully curated retreats take you to adventurous locations, far from the crowds, where pristine waves and unforgettable memories await. We prioritize destinations that offer a perfect balance of world-class surf, stunning natural beauty, and a welcoming local culture. Our retreats are designed to provide a seamless experience, from the moment you arrive to the day you depart. Our team is dedicated to ensuring your comfort, safety, and satisfaction, providing exceptional service and personalized attention.
Core Values
- Inclusivity: We welcome surfers of all ages, skill levels, and background.
- Adventure: We prioritize exploring new destinations and seeking out unique surfing experiences.
- Community: We foster a strong sense of community among our surfers and encourage social connections.
- Responsibility: We are committed to minimizing our environmental impact and promoting ethical practices in surfing.
- Excellence: We strive to provide the highest quality surf instruction, accommodations, and overall experience.
Professional Surf Coaching
FOR EVERYONE!
We believe that professional surf coaching shouldn’t just be created for professional surfers. So, we make professional surf coaching available for everyone. Here’s how you can get access to professional level surf coaching catered to your specific level of surfing.
Independent Surfer Method
We break down complex surfing concepts and movements into easy to digestible information, giving you actionable goals to work towards. We use;
- Conceptual Theory Classes
- Movement Based Classes
- Video Analysis
- Direct In-Water Feedback
Success Stories
EVERYONE HAS A STORY, WE WANT TO SHARE YOURS
Meet Erica
Hi, my name is Erica! I have been surfing for 6 months. Most of my time spent surfing has been in the white water and I really struggled to read and catch unbroken waves and paddle out behind the break. I signed up for Surf Club in Encinitas, California, and managed to paddle out the back and catch green waves in my very first session! Now, after just 1 month I am a completely independent surfer! I would highly recommend their club and retreats!
Meet Lindsey
I attribute all of my surfing progress to this club and jordy! The in water coaching and video analysis were so helpful and Jordy is so knowledgeable about all things surf. He is super knowledgeable about the local breaks and helped us navigate the lineup and taught us things we’d never find on the internet. The atmosphere and environment were electric and I’ve made some of my best surfing buddies through this group! I hope to be able to join another session soon <3
Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This is a fantastic surf school! The hosts and instructors were super personable and gave individualized critiques, and just the right amount of motivational push. They worked super hard for us, made sure we got waves, but also made sure we were getting them on our own. I felt super inspired leaving the camp - I would 1,000% go back!!Posted on Sarah BachmanTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Jordy and Kim have a well-rounded, comprehensive program with Independent Surfer. I'm a novice surfer and I did the 1 week beginner retreat in Nicaragua this past Spring. The daily personal video reviews were invaluable along with the dry-land practice. I was able to overcome some pop-up and maneuvering barriers to graduate from my foam log to a fiberglass longboard. I left the retreat with plenty of fundamentals to work on. The days were packed with two-a-day surf sessions and the location in El Transito at the Mandla Estate was nothing short of magical. Plus, daily yoga session w/ Lakeshore Flow kept me limber and ready for the next day. I highly recommend Independent Surfer to anyone looking for an amazing retreat with aspirations to take their surfing to the next level.Posted on Will LonghurstTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our family of 5 had an amazing time with Jordy and his staff. We had an all around great experience. The coaching, and accommodations were five-star. We’re excited to do another camp with this group.Posted on Brett AllredTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had an amazing trip with Jordy and rest of the independent surfer team in Nicaragua. The setting and the people all made it a time to remember. Would definitely do it all again if given the chance!Posted on alex greenbergTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. An incredible experience for anyone who wants to improve their surfing, at any level, hands down. The teaching system Jordy has developed is nuanced and incredibly valuable. I've been surfing for 10+ years, but was sick of making the same mistakes and not progressing. This retreat represented a major pivot point for me; I'm very grateful for the experience.Posted on Spencer CurrieTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amazing retreat in Nica. Tons of surf, great theory, specific and helpful video review. I definitely progressed during a week with Jordy / Independent Surfer. Fun and relaxed, incredible yoga, amazing location, food and space. Stoked. I want to go back.Posted on Shaun RTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I attended Independent Surfer's intermediate retreat in Nicaragua and had an amazing time! It was my favorite surf retreat to date -- everything was very well-planned and thoughtful, and the accommodation / location was perfect. And most importantly, there was tons of time allocated to surfing, reviewing videos and learning theory, which was so valuable and genuinely improved my surfing even after just a week! Jordy is a great surf instructor and really did a great job breaking down more advanced movements and giving you specific feedback. The staff at the hotel were all so helpful and accommodating, the food was delicious and the rooms were clean / luxurious. Thought the price of the trip was extremely reasonable for everything you get while you're there and would 100% attend any surf retreat they host in the future!Posted on Alice KimTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Independent surfer hosted the retreat of a lifetime. The combination of luxuary amenities, world class surf instruction, and incredible excursions, I cannot recommend them enough! I will definitely attend any retreats they host in the future. Thank you for providing such an phenomenal experience!Posted on Dr. Kristen KochambaTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I attended a surf retreat with Independent Surfer in Nicaragua and cannot say enough good things about them. I only previously had some surf experience so I felt a bit nervous at first, but the entire crew helped me gain confidence and develop my surfing skills. I found the video reviews particularly helpful to see my progress and know what I should continue to work on. Thanks so much to these guys for an amazing experience all around, will definitely be back!!Posted on Emily CordesTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Kim and Jordy are absolutely the best surf coaches and I had an amazing experience with them! I was in the beginners group surf camp held at Mandla resort in Nicaragua and had the experience of a lifetime. They were great with communication in terms of planning the trip and responding quickly to emails and questions in WhatsApp. But more importantly, they are excellent coaches in and out of the water. They took slow motion video to review in surf analysis sessions which was super helpful and gave me the coaching I needed at the right times. I feel like I progressed SO much within just a few days. I will be looking out for any more surf camps held by them! Thank you guys for everything and being such a positive force of energy in this world!Posted on Bre Smith