Surf. Flow. Connect.
BE LIKE WATER 2025
January 3rd-10th, 2025
A Week in Paradise.
Surf. Flow. Connect.
Join the Self Offense Team & Toco Toby Surf for a paradise getaway.
Relax in a gorgeous beachside villa, take daily surf lessons with expert surf coaches, learn to ground, balance and move more easily with a certified Laban movement analyst, and immerse yourself in the culture and environment of this unique and off-the-beaten path- Caribbean island.
This is not the average Caribbean resort vacation- it is intimately connected to the island that hosts it.
An adventure for those that want to become a part of the places they visit.
Space is limited.
Early Bird Registration Ends November 1st!
Where is the Be Like Water 2025 Retreat?
The beautiful island of Tobago, the sister island of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, the southern most island in the Caribbean!
Where are we Staying? Surfers Paradise Villa !
Spacious, breezy and bright! The Villa hosts 6 rooms, plus the tree house suite. Each room has a private bathroom, dresser/closet and air conditioning/ceiling fans. The villa includes a beautiful pool. outdoor patio, living room, kitchen and outdoor dining area.
Wake up to a gorgeous view overlooking the Surfer’s Paradise Beach!
Our private entrance that is across the street from the beach where we will surf, swim, sun bathe & party at the local watering hole!
Outdoor living room with hammocks, comfy couches, and chic furniture make for fun nights of socializing and cool shaded to relax and nap in!
Comfortable, clean and stylish rooms that can accommodate up to 2 people per room! Want a more luxurious experience? Book the room for yourself!
Relaxing, socializing & training area at the villa
Be Like Water Team
Sensei Zelda
Sensei Zelda is the Chief Executive Officer of Self-Offense Services and the president of Karate-Do Ken Wa Kan. She is a Fourth Degree Black Belt in Traditional Full Contact Karate and has been a competitive fighter, martial artist and self-defense instructor since 2014.
Since graduating from Emerson College with a BA in theatre studies, Zelda has led Self Offense’s catalog of workshops, developed herself in fitness and diverse movement disciplines and has been performing and teaching drama, movement and improvisation.
Learn more about Zelda Gay
Toco Toby
Tocotoby is a native Trinidadian who splits his time between Far Rockaway’s Beach 67 in NYC and his hometown of Toco.
He is an experienced Fitness and Outdoor Adventure Specialist with a diverse background ranging from National Security to Fitness and Nutrition Coaching. He has a distinguished career as a sponsored top performing athlete in triathlons and duathlons in Trinidad, Puerto Rico and the United States. He has been surfing for most of his life in his native Trinidad and Tobago and he has been coaching surfing for the last 25 years.
In 2012 he created the Tobias Foundation an NGO dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles through mentorship that facilitate participation and excellence in sports and is committed to utilizing programs developed through Sport and Environmental initiatives as vehicles for sustainable sport and eco-tourism.
Learn more about the Tobias Foundation
Shihan Michelle is a Canadian born New Yorker, a Sixth Degree Black Belt in Traditional Full Contact Karate, owner of Karate-Do Ken Wa Kan in New York City, professional seminar leader for Landmark Worldwide since 2012, Laban Certified Movement Analyst, Registered Movement Pattern Analyst, TedX speaker, published author, founder of Self-Offense Services and creator of the Self Offense Personal Protection Workshop & Workplace Self Offense: Sexual Harassment Prevention Training.
She has been leading workshops in Preventative Personal Protection, Listening, Bullying prevention, since 2003
Learn more about Michelle Gay
Shihan Michelle
What are we Doing?
The Retreat begins with our Self Offense Listening Workshop
We create community and an environment that thrives with cooperation and communication throughout the retreat and to take home with you for your life!
Learn what listening is and isn’t!
Gain skills to recognize when someone NEEDS to be listened to and when YOU need to be listened to.
Learn how to bring listening as a tool in situations or relationships of conflict.
Surf Lessons with Toco Toby & his team!
No matter what level of surfer you are, take your skills to the next level (or just get on the dang board!)
Grounding, Balancing, Movement Training
with a Certified Laban Movement Analyst
Morning HIIT & Strength Training
Are you someone that likes to stay active even when you relax? Join our daily HIIT workouts! We lead workouts that a combination of Yoga, Calisthenics and Body Weight Training.
Break a sweat! Get stronger in a GORGEOUS setting! Not your jam? Sleep in!
Silent Meditation & Grounding Highland Falls Waterfall Hike.
Connect with nature and to yourself on our silent hike to Highland Falls then enjoy a swim!
Nestled in the lush green forest just outside of the villages of Les Coteaux and Mason Hall, you will find Highland Waterfall. This secluded and hard to locate waterfall is the tallest single drop waterfall on the island of Tobago. The water descends into a deep plunge pool at the bottom set in a narrow gorge that is ideal for a relaxing and rejuvenating swim. The adventurous person can get a thrill jumping into the plunge pool from the wall of the gorge.
Private House of Angostura Mixology Class
Learn from Chief Brand Officer, Raymond Edwards, how to prepare sophisticated and fun cocktails using the famous and Trinidadian local House of Angostura bitters!
What ADVENTURES are we Going On?
Captain Philips Boat Tour!
Party on a glass bottom boat as we explore the gorgeous waters surrounding the island of Tobago! Enjoy the views , the ambience and the wildlife!
Stop # 1 on the Boat Tour: The Nylon Pool
Named by the late Princess Margaret in 1962; socialize & swim in an in-sea shallow white ground coral pool that is located off Pigeon Point, Tobago. Close to the Buccoo Reef, a protected area full of coral reefs, it is also one of Trinidad and Tobago's most visited attractions.Join other boat tours as we delight and converse in waste deep warm water!
Stop # 2 of the Boat Tour: No Man’s Island
Tobago locals sell delicious food & drink in an idyllic sandy beach setting! Swing on the swings, rent a jet ski ride, play frisbee in the sunset!
Harvest
A community cultural experience that is a testament to Tobago’s agricultural prowess. Locals open their homes to share delicious local cuisine, music and dancing.
A Local party and food scene that is not to be missed!
Buccoo Sunday School
Hosted at Buccoo Reef, this loud, vibrant street party is a SOCIAL SCENE! The party starts at 8pm on Sundays when the Buccooneers Steel Band orchestra play pan (steel drums) for a couple of hours. Starting at 11 the party kicks into high gear as the main sound system kicks in from the main venue, directly opposite the main beach. The music is Jamaican Dancehall with the best soca, hip hop and R+B.
Local Bar & Social Scene
Evenings are free to play! Enjoy relaxing in the villa, or at a beachside watering hole!
What are we Eating?
Cafe Surfers Villa!
We will have an onsite chef for us making healthy, local cuisine!
Fresh fruit, yogurt and other light breakfast options, a hearty local lunch rich in local foods (Yams, veggies, soups) that will keep you energized and satisfied!
Local Delicacies
Whether its a local roti (lots of Indian cuisine in Tobago) or one of Mango’s famous soups, the local cuisine is one of a kind! We will either bring it to the Villa or go find it!
Toby’s BBQ
A main event! Our final night together we will have a special mean prepared by Toby and his crew!
Optional Activities
Whether it’s getting your hair braided, renting a jet ski, or going on an independent site seeing adventure, we are thrilled to support you in going with whatever flow you’re following!
Costs of travel/extra activity not included, and we will do everything in our power to connect you to the experience you’re seeking!
Sign Me Up!
What are the logistics?
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Flights are not included in the cost of the Be Like Water Retreat. We recommend you book your flight ASAP!
All travel on the island of Tobago is included, with the exception of any extra cultural activities that are not included in the Be Like Water itinerary.
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Lodging & Meals are included in the tuition for the Be Like Water Retreat. Any individual grocery shopping, or alcohol purchased at local bars and events is not included.
Meals are locally sourced and because we are on a remote island, options can be limited. Please let us know in your registration form and dietary restrictions/allergies you may have.
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Once you pay your $500 deposit and fill out the registration form, (click "Sign Up!" to do this) you will receive an invoice from us scheduled based on the tuition option you have chosen in your registration form!
Single Occupancy Room paid in full by December 12/15/24: $5,300
Single Occupancy Room Early Bird Discount paid in full by 11/1/24: $4,900
Single Occupancy Room & Returning Be Like Water Retreat Participant paid in full by 12/15/24: $4,900
Single Occupancy Room & Returning Be Like Water Retreat Participant w/Early Bird Discount paid in full by 11/1/24: $4,700
Double Occupancy Room paid in full by 12/15/24: $3,700
Double Occupancy Room Early Bird Discount paid in full by 11/1/24: $3,600
Double Occupancy Room & Returning Be Like Water Retreat Participant paid in full by 12/15/24: $3,600
Double Occupancy Room & Returning Be Like Water Retreat Participant w/Early Bird Discount paid in full by 11/1/24: $3,300