We help leaders learn to ride the waves instead of trying to control the ocean.
AGILE LEADERSHIP SURF CAMP
Bahia Ballena, Costa Rica
A one-week transformational experience for people who want to more deeply embody agility and grow their capacity to lead more powerfully and authentically.
April 5-11, 2025
We only take 10 people.
Enrollment now open. Scroll down for details.
Surfing is a powerful access point to greater embodiment of agility and leadership.
If your first reaction is OMG, I don't know how to surf, keep reading. It will all make sense ;-)
We all need space to reconnect to what’s important, reflect, integrate new insights, and look forward with new clarity.
Unlike what you have experienced in a traditional classroom or online workshop setting...
This is a unique and powerful Agile Socks™ Leadership Experience. You don't leave with a list of things you need to change - you go home changed.
Why this experience?
We all know it is impossible to control or perfectly plan in complex environments where we face ambiguity, unpredictability, and change. And yet, we also still feel this internal and external pressure to do exactly that.
When we learn to ride the waves instead of trying to control the ocean, we become more present, connected, adaptive, innovative, and resilient for the sake of leading more powerfully in all aspects of our lives.
Agile Leadership Surf Camp is a UNIQUE transformational experience focused on growing your leadership CAPACITY.
When we grow our leadership capacity, strengthen key leadership qualities that help us be more effective with leveraging skills and tools. We also discover our ability to feel more ease and confidence as we navigate challenging situations, turn failure into learning, and collaboratively solve complex problems.
During the week, we will weave and integrate leadership and agility as you participate in:
- surf lessons,
- yoga classes, and
- guided workshops and conversations
Things you DO NOT need to get the full benefits:
- experience with surfing (we teach you!)
- experience with yoga or flexibility
- any specific athleticism or fitness level
Certified and highly experienced instructors will teach and guide you (the very same ones who taught this Ohio girls years ago). And this learning process is where the magic happens.
When I say AGILE, I mean the true essence of agility
ADAPTIVE & CREATIVE
NIMBLE & RESILIENT
OPENNESS & CURIOSITY
SENSING & RESPONDING
EXPERIMENTING & LEARNING
This experience is NOT about any specific agile frameworks or tools. It’s about the true essence of agility.
When I say leadership, it's not about a job title or position
Leadership is a relationship-driven process of connecting to what matters, envisioning possibilities, and taking action to bring that vision to life.
Who This Is For
Anyone in a traditional agile role like Scrum Master, Agile Team Member, Agile Leader
Anyone who knows that agility is essential to navigating complexity and uncertainty
Agile Leadership Surf Camp is fun, challenging, and most of all, transformative.
A breath of fresh air for your mind, body, and heart... you know, your full body intelligence.
What Leadership Surf Camp participants are saying:
You will experience:
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Immersion in Nature & Embodied Learning - Step out of your regular routine, immerse yourself in nature, and use your body to learn new skills. This will open you up to new possibilities and perspectives while nourishing and re-energizing your mind, body, and heart.
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Meaning, Vision & Aligned Action - Grow your capacity to connect to what matters, imagine what is possible, and take aligned action to bring that vision to life.
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7 Essential Leadership Qualities - Explore and cultivate essential qualities for powerful leadership: presence, awareness, connection, curiosity, courage, adaptiveness, and resilience.
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Practices to Lead More Powerfully & Authentically - Deepen awareness of ingrained beliefs and patterns that may be holding you back and limiting your perspective. Then you can start to disrupt those patterns and create new beliefs and habits that help you cultivate openness, curiosity, and a commitment to learning (rather than winning or being right).
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Get Off the Hamster Wheel - Discover deeper levels of embodying agility that help you more easily recognize when old patterns of control, perfectionism, judgment, scarcity, and competition are showing up - in yourself, in relationships, and in larger systems.
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Navigating Challenging Situations & Strong Emotions - Feel more confidence and ease in your ability to navigate strong emotions and challenging situations while finding beauty, joy, and fulfillment along the way.
If this sounds like the experience you're looking for, join me in Costa Rica the week of April 5, 2025.
We have space for 10 people.
Your Investment: $4250
Payment plans available.
Get on the interest list for details and next steps.
We only have spots for 10 people total.
WHERE WE WILL BE
Bahia Ballena is a small town on the Pacific Coast in the Southern Zone of Costa Rica. It’s the only place in the country where you have the beach and the mountains together. There are no big resorts here, unlike in other parts of Costa Rica.
The private Lodge is a 15-minute walk from the Marino Ballena National Park, which is also where surf lessons are held.
The landscape is dramatic and stunning; this is where the jungle meets the sea.
Marino Ballena translates to “Whale Bay” not only due to the migrating whales passing through, but also the natural whale tail-shaped sandbar formation.
The Lodge has been operating for more than 10 years and is a certified B-Corporation. The property reflects their vision of simplicity and environmental consciousness, and they create a relaxed vibe in a quaint setting.
- All rooms have a private bathroom.
- Some rooms have a mini-fridge or small kitchen; all other rooms have access to a shared kitchen. Since most meals are already included, you likely won’t need or want to use a kitchen anyway ;-)
- There is a mix of single and shared room options available.
What Is Included
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90-minute pre-event 1:1 coaching call
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90-minute post-event group coaching & integration call
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Lodging - 1 night in San Jose when you arrive, 5 nights at the private Lodge in Bahia Ballena
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Hotel in San Jose provides transport from the airport when you arrive
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Private group shuttle transfer from San Jose to Bahia Ballena and return to San Jose
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5 Surf Lessons
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5 Yoga Classes
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Cultural Walk with local guide
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All breakfasts, all lunches, and some dinners Monday through Friday are included - we also want to give you a couple of opportunities to explore the local restaurants on your own :-)
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Includes Costa Rica's 13% Value Added Tax (VAT)
What the Week Looks Like
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Saturday - Arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica and stay at a quirky hotel
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Sunday - Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then take a private shuttle to Bahia Ballena (4-hour drive). You will have time to get settled in at the Lodge, get an introduction to the community, and enjoy our first group dinner.
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Monday through Friday - Daily surf lessons and yoga classes and communal meals. In-between, we will have short workshops & guided conversations to grow our leadership capacity and put our learning into practice using real-world challenges.
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Friday - In the evening, a private group shuttle takes you back to San Jose.
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Saturday - You can book your flight to leave anytime. Of course, you can also keep exploring Costa Rica if you desire. San Jose provides a central starting point to choose a different part of the country to explore.
Who I Am ...
Hi! I'm Stephanie Ockerman.
And my entire life has been a journey of integration.
I love learning. And I don't mean collecting knowledge. I believe you have to live what you learn and - if it works for you - integrate it into how you show up and navigate the world.
The biggest unlock in my own journey has been integrating the analytical and strategic aspect of leadership with the relational and intuitive aspect of leadership. This has helped me navigate the complexity, uncertainty, and unpredictability of work and life.
In some ways, I have followed traditional paths. And in important ways, I have veered off and created my own way. Some highlights on this journey:
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I started my career in Technology Project Management, earning my Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification within a few years.
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When I was 29, I quit a great job to go on a travel sabbatical throughout Central and South America for over a year. Because I don't believe in waiting to do things "one day". (My PMP skills came in handy to make this happen.)
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In 2016, I started my own business because I felt I could create more impact, experience greater fulfillment, and have more fun. Turns out I was right :-)
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I am a licensed Scrum.org Professional Scrum Trainer™ (PST), and my relationship with Scrum.org and the PST Community has given me the opportunity to teach classes on 5 different continents. Have I mentioned my love of travel :-)
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I co-authored a popular book, Mastering Professional Scrum, published by Pearson Addison-Wesley.
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I believe in investing in personal & professional development. I have completed and continue to integrate into my work the following: Co-Active Coaching Training Program, Organization and Relationship Systems Coaching (ORSC™) Training Program, Co-Active Leadership Program, a year of mentorship in an equity-centered business and thought-leadership program.
- A few years ago, I became a surfer, and now I split my time between Ohio and Costa Rica. Truly being part of the local community in my small town in Costa Rica is an important way I practice my leadership.
We all have different journeys. And that's okay - in fact, it's liberating. I am passionate about helping people create their own path - imagining more possibilities and feeling more ease and confidence in their choices.
Because this is how we become more powerful and authentic leaders, creating a world where we all thrive.
Your Investment: $4250
Payment plans available.
Get on the interest list for details and next steps.
We only have spots for 10 people total.
How does a week of leadership growth in paradise sound?
Surfing + Yoga + Leadership + Jungle Vibes
We believe small is beautiful, so we only have space for 10 people.
WHAT IS POSSIBLE WHEN YOU LEARN TO RIDE THE WAVES
- 🌊 Naturally integrate experimentation, learning, and adaptation into everything you do.
- 🌊 Become more embodied, which is like expanding your antennae to sense more information of what is going on within you and around you. And then you can use that information to better sense what is wanting to emerge and be more intentional in aligning your actions with our intentions.
🌊 Notice changing conditions sooner and gain more comfort and confidence in your ability to navigate change and complexity - 🌊 More easily recognize when old patterns of control, perfectionism, judgment, scarcity, and competition are showing up - in yourself, in relationships, and in larger systems.
- 🌊 Sense when it is time to act on your leadership urges with more clarity.
- 🌊 Improve your ability to self-regulate when you feel stress, overwhelm, or uncertainty.
- 🌊 Grow both your courage and your resilience.
- 🌊 Navigate strong emotions, conflict, and challenging situations more effectively.
- 🌊 Discover the ability to source your security, worthiness, approval, and fulfillment from within and take greater responsibility for creating your reality.
This is not for you if....
- You do not embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- You prefer to focus your time and energy on learning the latest agile practices and techniques and earning certifications.
- You want to debate which agile framework/ practice/ tool is the “best”.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my experience with surfing and/or yoga matter?
Nope. Not at all. Success in this program has nothing to do with your physical fitness or how frequently you go to the gym. Success is not defined by how many times you can stand up on a wave either.
My co-leaders who run the surf lessons and yoga classes are experts in their disciplines. They have been teaching people of all experience levels for more than a decade and always prioritize safety and belonging. They will meet you where you are - whether this is your first time or if you are an advancing practitioner. Wherever you are, you will get what you need from this experience.
Our local beach Playa Chaman in the Marino Ballena National Park is a very safe beach to surf, which is one of the reasons it is such an optimal spot to learn. While surfing has its risks, many of these risks can be minimized by having ocean awareness, surfboard management skills, and surf safety knowledge - all of which we go over in our surf lessons.
What level of physical fitness is required?
Any level is just fine - we promise :-) We meet people where they are.
Success in this program has nothing to do with your physical fitness or how frequently you go to the gym. Success is not defined by how many times you can stand up on a wave either.
If you have concerns about your current health or want to discuss any injuries or physical limitations, we are happy to discuss the specifics so that you are comfortable that we've got you covered.
What if I don't have previous yoga experience or am not very flexible?
That's no problem! We love it when we are the first to introduce our students into the world of yoga. And classes are both personalized to the students and multi-level, which means that there are different variations of many poses depending on students' experience, flexibility, and level.
What is the food like? What if I have dietary restrictions?
The food at the Lodge aims be nutritious, healthy, locally-sourced, fresh, and delicious. And we are able to cater to specific dietary restrictions such as vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, nut-free, etc.
Is Costa Rica LGBTQ+ friendly?
While Costa Rica is still a fairly conservative and religious culture, due to the amount of visitors it receives, it has progressed a great deal in this respect in the past 20 years. Nowadays, it is a very popular destination with travelers of all genders and sexual identities. Our area happily welcomes travelers of all kinds with open arms. At the Lodge, we practice "radical inclusion" and ensure that we are accessible and welcoming to all.
Are there accommodations for individuals with specific needs?
We are dedicated to ensuring a comfortable and accessible experience for all participants. If you have specific needs or require accommodations, please don't hesitate to reach out and ask: stephanie (at) agilesocks (dot) com.
I have a lot of questions about travel planning....
Of course you do! You will be getting all the travel details you need like logistics, what to pack, what to expect, etc. in a series of emails leading up to the event. And if you need to talk about these details before putting down a deposit, I totally understand. I’m a planner too! I’m happy to chat more about these details on a call.
For now, your most pressing question is likely when to book flights. Plan to arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica on Saturday. The hotel you stay at allows check-in by 3pm, and they will provide shuttle transfer from the airport to the hotel. Even if your room isn’t ready when you arrive, there is an onsite pool and restaurant to relax while you wait. The private group shuttle will pick you up at the hotel Sunday around 9am to get you to Bahia Ballena.
For your return on Friday, the private group shuttle will leave at 3:30pm to transport you back to San Jose. We recommend that you spend that Friday night at the same hotel as when you first arrived (we will provide a promo code to receive a discount if you choose to do so). Your return flight home can be for any time the following Saturday.
Should I consider this professional development?
100% This is an agile leadership development event. And we just happen to be using surfing and yoga as tools.
I encourage you to request professional development funds your employer makes available to you. And I can share strategies on how to approach this.
What are the payment plan options?
You can choose between three different payment plans.
2 monthly payments of $2,125
3 monthly payments of $1,417
4 monthly payments of $1,063
What is the refund policy... just in case?
Obviously, we know you are committed if you're planning international travel. And we also get that life happens.
If you cancel before January 7, you will get all of your money back minus a $400 administration fee.
If you cancel before February 10, you will get a refund of up to 50% of the total price, based on total payments made to date.
For cancelations made February 10 or later, we cannot guarantee a refund. However, we will work with you based on the circumstances to try to fill your spot and potentially provide a partial refund and/or transfer your registration to a future event or other training and coaching services.
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