Awesome coaches (Patri and Manu) Technical breakdowns helped a lot, still try to do regularly between surf sessions. The vibe was awesome, very inspiring women Food and accomodation was top... props to the whole shadow's crew. Would recommend and will come back with some friends :D

This trip was incredible. Same Wave Collective and the Shadow team made everything seamless, fun and focused on surf. I progressed more in this trip than years of surfing thanks to the great coaches. It was so inspiring to be in a group of women challenging themselves and connecting with each other daily. Will be back!!

What an epic trip. Amazing group of females who were so inspiring, interesting and funny. Anna, Manuela and Patri ran everything so well and made it so much fun. I feel much braver on reef, less allergic to going left and armed with so many tips to improve my surfing. Mentawais is such a stunning place, endless perfect waves, and Same Wave Collective is a very special group - highly recommend!

The Mentawais May 2026 trip was one of the best things I have ever done for myself. To say I was nervous would be an understatement. I had never travelled solo before, never been to Indonesia, and had never been away from my husband and daughter for that long. The idea of surfing in the Mentawais and staying with a group of strangers felt incredibly intimidating. But this trip completely exceeded every expectation, and I have already started the countdown to go again next year. I honestly don’t know where to start singing its praises. From the very beginning, Sandra’s communication and reassurance helped ease so many of my nerves. Arriving at Santika in Padang to beautiful accommodation, with all the little details taken care of — airport pickups, transfers, and even the option to upgrade to a private suite — made everything feel seamless and stress-free. Meeting the other girls was another highlight. Whatever strategic marketing magic was used absolutely worked. Although we all came from different parts of the world, we shared so much in common. Everyone was there to surf, support each other, and genuinely enjoy the experience. The accommodation and staff at Shadows were also exceptional. Everything felt warm, welcoming, comfortable, and authentic. I actually loved not having internet in the rooms because it encouraged everyone to gather in the shared spaces, connect, and disconnect from screens for a while. And then there was the surf. I honestly cannot put it into words. Warm crystal-clear water, rolling mechanical waves, palm trees everywhere — “Playgrounds” is the perfect name for this area. Some evenings we surfed until dark, under decadent pink skies and the occasional rainbow. It felt surreal. The coaching, photography, and support throughout the trip were also incredible. Manu and Patri were exceptional — kind, knowledgeable, practical, patient, and never rushed. And Anna… if the surf and sunsets didn’t already make your day, seeing Anna’s smiling face in the lineup or behind the lens certainly would. This trip was faultless. An unforgettable experience that pushed me far outside my comfort zone in the best possible way. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

I had never been to a surf retreat before, and it was truly amazing. I had so much fun and learned a lot. Sandra pays great attention to detail and makes everyone feel supported. I loved the workshops, and the group of girls was incredible. The video analysis was very helpful, and I can’t wait to join another trip in the future.