Vital Surfing Barrel Clinic

June 13-20 // July 4-11

Join the Mission

A week-long, all inclusive strike mission dedicated to the art of barrel riding.

Riding the barrel is the ultimate feeling in surfing, but learning how to do it on your own can be intimidating. The Vital Barrel Clinic is a week-long mission where we rally a highly supportive crew and go on a dedicated quest to hunt down hollow waves.

This clinic is custom-built for the intermediate to advanced surfer who:

  • Is comfortable in head high surf but has never been barreled and is finally ready to pull in.

  • Has gotten a taste of the tube, but keeps getting closed out on and wants to learn how to actually make it out.

  • Wants to learn how to ride more critically in hollow waves with confidence.

  • Wants to safely push their limits with an encouraging crew that will be hooting for them on the shoulder.

Our Basecamp: Amaru Surf and Yoga Resort

Hunting barrels takes a lot of physical and mental energy, which means your recovery environment should be 10/10. This mission will take place at the breathtaking Amaru Resort.

Located just a 2-minute drive from the main peak at The Boom, this stunning beachfront property is the perfect launchpad. With luxury, air-conditioned rooms and top-notch, chef-prepared meals, Amaru is the ultimate sanctuary to relax, refuel, and reset your nervous system after long mornings of pulling into the tube.

The Coaches and Curriculum

A person surfing a large green wave in the ocean under a blue sky.
A man surfing inside a large blue wave.

This clinic is led by Vital Surfing founders Zach and Sam. We have dedicated a large part of our own surfing lives to riding the barrel. Now, we’re stoked to fast-track that knowledge directly to you.

During the Barrel Clinic, you will learn:

  • Wave Reading: How to identify which waves will stay open and which will close out, ensuring you are in the exact right spot to get the best ride possible.

  • The Drop: The precise, split-second mechanics of taking off and sticking the drop on a steep, hollow wave.

  • The Stance: How to set your rail and compress into the proper barrel-riding stance for both frontside and backside tubes.

  • Pacing & Vision: How to control your speed inside the barrel and keep your eyes locked on the exit.

What’s Included?

  • A surfer riding a wave in the ocean with three people on a boat watching in the foreground.

    Daily Strike Missions

    Get transported to the break with the best chance to find barrels every single day. Whether that’s hunting down hidden sandbars with the boat or taking the 4×4 down to the Boom, we’ll use our local knowledge to hunt down the best opportunities to get you barreled.

  • Laptop on a desk showing a surfer riding a wave at the beach with a person in curly hair in the foreground.

    Personalized Surf Progression

    Your progression begins before you even arrive with a pre-trip onboarding to assess where you are at and lock in your goals. On-site, you will experience a powerful combination of in-water coaching, surf theory workshops, and targeted video analysis to identify the habits holding you back and replace them with the techniques that will get you tubed.

  • Person in a yoga pose with hands pressed together and head touching the ground on a yoga mat.

    Daily Recovery

    Recovering after the surf is essential to maintaining your performance. The recovery protocol for this specific trip includes a full body massage, breathwork session, a visit to a local Temazcal sweat lodge, recovery workouts, and ice baths so that you can wake up every day refreshed and ready to charge!

  • Two tacos on a white plate garnished with lime wedges, filled with vegetables, meat, and topped with sauce and herbs.

    Chef-Prepared Nutrition

    Vital nutrition is the foundation of living well and surfing your best. Fuel your body with chef-crafted meals designed for every stage of your day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks)—made with zero seed oils or harmful additives, just real food. Whatever your lifestyle—Vegetarian, Vegan, Keto, or Gluten-Free—your dietary needs are entirely covered. View Sample Menu

  • Cozy bedroom with a large bed, rolled towels, a shelf with a small flower, and a window with sheer curtains overlooking a garden.

    Premium AC Accommodation

    Sleep deeply in clean, private, climate-controlled rooms. No sweating through the night in a hot dorm.

  • A white vehicle parked on a sandy beach with the ocean and waves in the background and a partly cloudy sky above.

    Zero Friction Logistics

    From the moment you land at the Managua Airport to the moment you leave, your logistics are completely handled. No haggling with taxis, no stressing over Google Maps. Just get in the van, drop your bags, and relax.

  • A shirtless man standing in the ocean, holding a camera and taking photos, with waves crashing around him.

    Media Package

    Put your phone away and stay in the moment. You will have a dedicated professional photographer/videographer capturing high-res images and footage of your best waves, giving you all the proof you need to show the crew back home.

Everything Inside the Vital Barrel Clinic:

  • 7 Nights Luxury AC Accommodation

  • The Vital Surf Progression Protocol

    • Pre-Mission Onboarding to lock in your goals

    • 6 in-water coaching sessions

    • 2 surf theory workshops

    • 4 video analysis sessions

  • 19 Chef-Prepared Meals (7 dinners, 6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and daily surf snacks)

  • The Recovery Package

    • (1) 1 hour Full-body Massage

    • Guided breath work session

    • Visit to local temazcal sweat lodge

    • Ice bath session

    • (1) Surf recovery workout

    • daily 1 hour yoga sessions

  • Celebratory Boat Trip

  • Professional photo and video package

  • Airport Transfer (arrival and departure)

Your Vital Mission Price:

$3950 per person shared room (gender specific)

$4750 per person single room

Secure your Room

Let’s Clear the Air.

You have questions. We have honest answers. Here is what you need to know before you commit.

Have a question that’s not listed here? write us an email.

  • Not at all! This clinic is specifically designed for intermediate to advanced surfers who want to learn the art of the tube. As long as you are comfortable paddling into head-high green waves, angling your takeoff, and riding down the line, you are ready. We will teach you the exact mechanics of wave reading, sticking the steep drop, and setting your stance for the barrel.

  • Absolutely. The majority of our guests come solo! The Vital Barrel Clinic is all about building a highly supportive, zero-ego crew. You'll be sharing the lineup, meals, and video analysis sessions with a group of like-minded surfers who are all there to push each other and cheer each other on from the channel. You'll leave with a new crew of lifelong surf friends.

  • Since we are hunting hollow waves, you'll want a board you can paddle fast and trust on a steep drop. Leave the mid-lengths and wide fishes at home. We highly recommend bringing your standard shortboard and a slight step-up (a board with a bit more rocker and a pulled-in tail) that allows you to easily hold your rail in the steep face of the wave. We’re available to answer any questions about boards, just send us an email!

  • You will be fueled by chef-prepared, performance-focused meals. Expect high-quality proteins, fresh local ingredients, and absolutely zero seed oils or harmful additives. If you have specific dietary needs (Vegan, Keto, Gluten-Free), your lifestyle is entirely accommodated.

    • Breakfast: "Plato Nica" (Eggs, plantains, rice & beans) or GF Banana Pancakes.

    • Lunch: Fresh Catch Ceviche with plantain chips or Mediterranean Salads.

    • Dinner: Grilled Fish/Steak Tacos, Pad Thai, or Vegetable Curries.

    • Dessert: Cacao Nib Brownies or Passion Fruit Ice Cream. (We cater to Vegan, GF, Keto, and Paleo diets upon request).

  • Yes! Northern Nicaragua is a peaceful, welcoming region, and surf tourism is a huge part of the local culture. Plus, from the moment you land, we have you completely covered. Your package includes professional, private airport transfers right to the Amaru Resort, which is a highly secure, private beachfront property. Your safety and comfort are our top priorities.

  • Yes! Amaru Resort is a stunning beachfront sanctuary. While you are hunting barrels, your partner can enjoy the oceanfront pool, yoga deck, massage services, and incredible food. We offer a "Non-Surfer Rate"—just email us for details.

  • We know you can’t always completely unplug. Amaru Resort uses Starlink high-speed internet. You will have plenty of bandwidth to take Zoom calls, check in with family, or upload your surf footage without issue.

  • To secure your spot in the lineup, we require a $1500 non-refundable deposit. The remaining balance is due 30 days before the retreat start date. We recommend travel insurance to cover any unexpected life events!

Ready to Find Some Vision?

The tube is the ultimate milestone in surfing, and you don't have to figure it out alone. Join us in Northern Nicaragua for a week of elite coaching, incredibly supportive vibes, and the most progression-focused strike mission of your life! We keep this crew intentionally small to guarantee highly personalized coaching both in the water and at the resort, which means spots are strictly limited.

Secure Your Spot on the Mission