Reconnect and Unplug from Everyday Life
At home, it’s so easy to get distracted.
Whatsapp messages keep coming, emails come in, and kids go from one thing to the next. Even holidays can sometimes feel a bit rushed.
At our surf camp, the pace just changes.
Your day naturally revolves around the ocean, the sun and the tides.
You wake up, have a relaxed breakfast together, and then head to the beach for a surf session. No rush, no tight schedule. Just follow the best time for the best waves for that day.
After that, it’s usually just hanging out. Staying at the beach, going back to the pool, or just doing nothing for a bit. Taking a massage and whoever feels like joins the yoga in the afternoon.
And that’s actually where the magic happens.
Without all the noise, there’s more space. You start talking more, laughing more, just being together.
We often see parents and kids open up here in a way they don’t at home.
Nothing is forced. You’re not planning “family time”.
It just happens.
Strengthening Family Bonds Through Shared Surf Experiences
Learning something new together just does something.
At our surf camp, most families are complete beginners, but it also works really well when some of you already have more experience.
We adjust each lesson to everyone’s level.
Usually we work with one surf guide for every two guests, and for younger kids who are just learning, we often do one-on-one.
For more experienced surf mums and dads, it’s really special to see their kids having fun with our super fun and caring surf guides. Lots of falling, trying again, and just enjoying it.
And sometimes a kid stands up before their parents, and everyone is cheering in the water.
Sometimes a parent wipes out and it just turns into laughter.
These are the moments that you all will remember forever.
We see families really support each other here. Encouraging, celebrating the small wins, helping each other get back on the board.
It’s not about being good at surfing.
It’s about doing it together.
And you see families connect better again, not just in the water, but also after.
Instead of everyone doing their own thing, you’re sharing the same experience.
And that brings you closer in a very natural way.
If you’re curious, you can check out our surf camp here and see if it feels like something for your family.
Nature, Ocean Time, and Family Well-Being
There’s just something about being near the ocean.
The sound of the waves, the fresh air, the sand, it makes everything feel a bit lighter.
For parents, it’s often the first moment in a while where things slow down.
And for kids, it’s just freedom. Running around, playing, being in the water all day. At the beach as well as in the pool.
So what we see happening all the time.
Families arrive a bit tired, still in their routine. And after a few days here, everything feels different.
More relaxed. More open.
It’s not just the surfing.
It’s the walks on the
beach, sunset and sitting together after a long day and talking about the best moments.
Kids playing with Tyson and Marco, running around barefoot, just being outside.
Simple things, but they matter.
And somehow, being here at our Retreat in nature, playing in the ocean in the morning – makes it easier to really connect again.
An Active Family Vacation for All Ages
We often get the question if surfing is actually suitable for kids, or if it’s maybe too difficult.
And honestly, most families arrive a bit unsure.
But it usually changes quite quickly.
We take you to quieter beaches, where the waves are softer and there’s space to learn without pressure.
The younger kids are often just playing in the water at first, getting comfortable, laughing, not really thinking about “learning to surf”.
And then suddenly, they stand up.
The older kids and parents go step by step, building confidence along the way.
Some pick it up fast, others take a bit more time – and that’s completely fine.
It’s never really about how good you get.
It’s about being in the water together, trying, falling, and enjoying it.
And watching the videos after it, laughing with each other and still learning to surf as well, is just the best combination.
Pelan Bali is Safe, Calm & Perfect for Families
For many parents, safety is the first thing they think about.
That’s also why we don’t go to the busy beaches like Canggu and have 1 surf teacher per maximum 2 family members. Or even one on one for smaller kids.
We take our families to quieter spots like Kedungu, Yeh Gangga, and Pankung Tiba. Places where there’s more space, softer waves, and a much more relaxed feeling.
It just makes everything easier. Especially for kids, but honestly also for parents.
And because we keep our groups small, we can really adjust everything to your level.
There’s no pressure here.
A Personal Story From Our Family
Pelan Pelan didn’t start as a business idea.
It started from the way we wanted to live ourselves.
When I started Pelan, I wanted other people to feel what I felt. I grew up in the Netherlands, where there is a lot of focus on school, studies, and always thinking about the future.
When I met my Balinese husband Putu here, I realised life can be lived much more in the moment.
Now that we have a family with four kids, we try to raise them a bit differently. More the Bali way.
It’s not all about what you learn at school, and often the plans we make for the future don’t even turn out that way.
So we try to live more in the moment. And that’s also what we want you and your family to feel when you’re here.
It’s not about how good you are. It’s about the process and the fun along the way.
Our kids grew up around the ocean here in Bali.
Our oldest now really loves surfing – not because we pushed it, but because it just became part of his life.
But what we noticed most is that it’s never really about the surfing.
It’s about the whole day around it.
Long days at the beach, playing in the sand, laughing with the surf guides, just feeling free.
We now see the same thing happening with the families who stay with us.
Sometimes parents suddenly realise their older kids are off somewhere — not because something is wrong, but because they’ve connected with other guests and are completely in it.
And the younger ones are just as happy. Playing, exploring, often with the sweetest Balinese nannies who are so natural with kids.
And then there’s Tyson and Marco, who quickly become part of it all.
It’s not organised or forced.
It’s just a different rhythm.
And that’s where families really reconnect.
If that’s what you’re looking for, you can check availability for our surf camp here and see if it feels like a good fit for your family.
