By G+C Community Member, Anna Powell
Were you on the Hi-Tide Retreat? Download our full album of photos for the weekend here!
Dev Skehan and Gym+Coffee partnered up to host the first ever Hi Tide Crew Retreat at the Big Style Atlantic Lodge in Co Mayo from August 11th-13th.
Twenty-nine strangers gathered together for a weekend of surfing, hiking, laughing and connecting. Strangers from all over Ireland banded together to have fun, meet new people and to create a memorable weekend. Everyone at the retreat had the opportunity to bond with someone new while also trying some new activities.
“I decided to go on the retreat because I wanted to try new things and I wanted to step out of my comfort zone. I wanted to challenge myself and I also wanted to create new friendships” - Laura
This weekend kicked off on Friday evening once everyone had arrived at the lodge. Before long the room buzzed with chatter as people began to get to know one another. Shortly after dinner, Dev managed to finally get the attention of a room full of newly established chatterboxes and got to run her speed-friending event. This helped everyone to get to know one another on more than just the surface level.
“I really enjoyed being around like minded people and I really liked how well we all seemed to click with one another” - Blathnait
Saturday morning started off with a seaside view yoga session which was then followed by a healthy and nutritious breakfast and some well needed Cloud Picker coffee. The food for the entire weekend was vegetarian and prepared on site by Aine from the Big Style team. Once breakfast was well and truly wrapped up, Dev appeared with Gym+Coffee gift boxes for everyone.
After everyone had given their new friends a very impromptu fashion show, people began to run off to get their swimsuits for a thrilling morning sea swim. At the sea, the group shrieked, laughed, and played in the waves of the water.
Once everyone was dried off, changed and fed a scrumptious lunch, the group set off again for a guided hike up the Killadoon mountain.
“I really enjoyed being in touch with nature, you know going on walks, the sea swimming, just that feeling of peace and just the calmness and slowness of the experience. - Megan
After the hike, everyone got to enjoy an hour-long session in the lodges’ hot tub, sauna and plunge pool. This was just what the group needed after a busy day of activity. This was a great chance for everyone to relax; be present in the moment; and enjoy the spectacular view.
“My favourite thing about the retreat was being in such a calm environment and I really enjoyed being around such a nice circle of girls with there being no judgment from anyone. I also really enjoyed the freedom of being able to be yourself and the opportunity to get to know new people and make new connections.” - Laura
At around seven o'clock that evening, everyone enjoyed some yummy pizza from the chefs at the Wild Atlantic Lodge. Then the group gathered outside to relax and enjoy each other's company around the freshly lit bonfire.
After stretching, swimming, hiking, relaxing and chatting; the group finally decided it was time for some dancing. Before long, the entire group gatecrashed the local pub and spent the night dancing and laughing.
“The retreat was a chance for me to prove to myself that I can do these things. Prove to myself that I can go and do something like this with like 29 strangers and have the best time” - Michelle
The last day was just as busy. On Sunday, the group enjoyed morning yoga, challenged themselves by going surfing and then went and enjoyed the sauna, hot tub and plunge pool together for the last time. It was a shock to everyone’s system when it was suddenly time to say goodbye.
“My main takeaway from the retreat was that there are so many nice people out there; like minded people and people that are just open and up for having the craic. I was surprised at the fact that even though there were so many people there, everyone still got on so well. Everyone was so open. Everyone got involved in everything and everyone was up for having a laugh” - Michelle
