Resurface is a UK-based team that runs week-long trauma and burnout retreats in the surf village of Tamraght, near Agadir in Morocco. It suits people who want real therapeutic work, led by a psychologist, balanced with beginner surf lessons, gentle yoga and good company.
What it's like
Resurface isn't a resort. It's a small UK company that runs therapy-led retreats, and its group trips take over a restored riad in Tamraght, a laid-back surf village on Morocco's Atlantic coast just north of Agadir. The riad has an inner courtyard and a rooftop terrace looking out over the ocean, which is where morning movement and the evening rest sessions happen.
The heart of the week is group EMDR, a therapy designed to help the brain process difficult memories. You do it alongside others, but you don't have to tell your story out loud. That's paired with daily surf lessons, trauma-sensitive yoga and short talks about how trauma affects the body and mind. National Geographic featured Resurface in a 2026 piece on surf therapy.
The founder and clinical director, Josh Dickson, is a psychologist who has specialised in trauma and recovery for more than 15 years. Surf coaching comes from a local instructor with long experience teaching beginners.
The programs
- Group EMDR trauma resolution retreat. Seven nights in Tamraght. A typical day starts with movement on the roof terrace, then a morning workshop, a long surf session with lunch on the beach, group EMDR in the afternoon, and stretching, mindfulness or meditation before dinner. Midweek there's a day trip to the fishing and surf village of Imsouane.
- One-to-one EMDR intensive. Private, concentrated work with Josh, offered in the UK, Morocco, the US and South Africa, with dates on request.
Workshop topics move through the week, from what trauma is and how to live in your body again, to challenging old thinking, letting go of the past and growth after trauma. Sessions of non-sleep deep rest and heart rate variability training round things out.
Before you go, you book an assessment call to talk through your needs and set intentions. After you get home, there's ongoing support through a private alumni community.
Rooms and food
Rooms in the riad are shared triples or twins, matched by gender, with a single room available as an upgrade. Each has a private bathroom and a balcony, and rooms are cleaned daily. Resurface encourages sharing as part of the connection the week is built around. Meals are full board, locally sourced and Moroccan in style, and the team will cater for dietary needs if you tell them ahead of time.
Who it suits (and who it doesn't)
Resurface is aimed at people who still feel the grip of past trauma, often after years of talk therapy, or who are stuck in anxiety, burnout or repeating patterns. You don't need to surf, and you don't need to be fit or flexible.
It's not a holiday with a bit of wellness on top. The days are full and the work is emotional, so it's not for someone who wants a lazy beach week. If you're unsure whether it's right for you, the assessment call is the place to find out.
Getting there
Fly into Agadir, the nearest airport to Tamraght. Airport transfers aren't included in the standard retreat but can be added when you book. Transport during the week, including the Imsouane trip, is covered.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know how to surf?
No. Lessons are aimed at beginners and happen every day, with boards and equipment included.
Will I have to share my trauma with the group?
No. Group EMDR is set up so you can process your own experiences without describing them aloud.
What's included in the group retreat?
Seven nights in the riad, all meals, group EMDR, daily workshops, surf lessons and gear, yoga and rest sessions, local transport and pre- and post-retreat support.
Where exactly is it held?
At Riad Dar Haven in Tamraght, a surf village on the coast just north of Agadir. See current retreat dates on the official Resurface website.
