Derek Thomas

Founder: Soul Water Surf, Conscious Breath Workshops, Iguana Sauna & Ice Bath.

With a passion for creating unforgettable holiday experiences in wave-rich tropical locations, Derek has enjoyed entertaining and guiding all kinds of groups/individuals. With a knack for tailoring holidays around guests’ expectations he has hosted and guided everyone from celebrities and frothing grommets to professional surfers and first time beginners.

Derek holds decades of experience hosting luxury surf holidays; from living on yachts and private islands in the Maldives and Indonesia to remote resorts in Sumbawa, the Caribbean, Hawaii and Central America. ( Press / Testimonials)

CERTIFICATIONS

Intl. Surf Coach/Guide NSSIA - Certified Global Breathwork / Meditation Facilitator Sacred Breath Academy- Power Coaching Wim Hof/XPT/Oxygen Advantage- Certified Yoga Instructor- Yoga Alliance Integrated Holistic Treatment provider for The Arizona Relationship Institute.

Britt Quin

Yoga Instructor/Surf Strength Coach

Britt’s unwavering passion for both studying and sharing yoga have taken her on multiple journeys around the globe. Her passion and desire to dive deep has found Britt residing in some very remote locations, studying alongside private mentors and sharing her teachings . She has spent the last five years living and traveling in New Zealand, India, South East Asia, South America and all throughout the islands of the South Pacific. 

Eventually settling on the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua she refers to the Emerald Coast as her "sacred home’ spending her days teaching, practicing, exploring and surfing her home break Popoyo. An avid volunteer and community supporter, Brit relishes the process of empowering her students resonating deeply with her belief of yoga being an entire mind and body realignment experience.

Britt is a certified International Yoga Teacher. Her style is a blend of Hatha and Vinyasa with a fondness for AcroYoga.

Terra Dimock

Massage Therapist/Spa Educator

An expert in the field of health and wellness, Terra holds two decades of extensive professional experience in a wide range of healing treatments and skin care therapies. Terra's scope of expertise extends far beyond her personal private practice. A widely respected spa director and educator, she has personally been at the helm of development and training for an array of 5 star resorts scattered around the globe. We are truly blessed to have her as part of the SWS family.

“Nurturing, healing and providing a sanctuary for others is a natural extension of my true nature. I honestly can’t imagine doing anything else” -Terra Dimock 

Treatments & Therapies of Expertise: Acupressure, Shiatsu Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Swedish Massage, Pre-Natal Massage,  Facials, Body Wraps, Reflexology, Thallasotherapy (Ocean Element Treatments), Namikoshi, Aromatherapy and  Aging Well Treatments.

My wife and I had the pleasure to go on a ten day surf trip recently with Derek acting as our host and surf guide. I was blown away by how much he knew about the area, the surf breaks, and the people. Immediately he had us feeling at home and at ease on our trip. Everything went off without a hitch, always on time, knowledgeable, and well organized it was a refreshing change from some my prior experiences. Derek’s talent was not just about surfing, as he entertained us on the boat and in the bar after dinner with great music on his guitar. I can honestly say that this was the best surf trip we have been on thanks to Derek ”

Stuart and Jeanie Schlesinger- Northern California/ Nicaragua

“Derek Thomas provided overall guest relations duties during my time at Pinnacles in Indonesia . His service was faultless. He provided excellent information on all the breaks we surfed, especially when it was the first time out. He then surprised us with some excellent chilled live music as we kicked back at the resort bar in the evening. A very talented and spiritual surfer and musician. It was a pleasure to spend time with Derek. I consider him a valuable asset to any surf resort or surf charter boat experience.”

John Finaly - CEO, World Surfaris

“Derek has an undeniable love for people, the water, music and sharing. Always professional and upbeat he is definitely stoked to share his knowledge and expertise. His guided Breathwork & Meditation courses are unique, powerful and something to be experienced. He also has a knack for keeping you comfortable in new surf breaks. Fun to watch him rip but also quick to let you drop in when a great wave came your way.

A humble, soulful and knowledgable host and guide, we were happy to have his energy on our family surf holiday in the Maldives. After epic surf sessions, we would all gather at the top level where Derek would often play his guitar and harmonica for us. Equally as talented, Derek knew how to keep the good and fun vibes going! Over the years our family has become quite close with him and our kids as well as us have taken a few holidays with Derek in tow at our second home in Nosara, Costa Rica.

Eddie & Jen Delaney - Austin, TX/Costa Rica

"Just dropping you a note from both of us to thank you for an unforgettable family surf holiday. From the moment you collected us at the airport and set the tone with your music on the boat it was bound to be a fabulous 10 days. I’m sure you thought we were a pretty challenging group when we arrived but in your subtle way you managed to put us all in our boxes!

You were so much more than an amazing host and surf guide. Thanks for your attention to detail and way of making everything hassle free, it was really appreciated. A holiday to remember in the right way. Please stay in touch and you are welcome to stay with us if you’re ever in Cape Town. 
Martine and Nick 

“I've had the random good fortune of being hosted by Derek during two remote surf holidays, Pinnacles on Telo in the Telos Islands and the Ocean Divine yacht charter in the Maldives. As is easy with Derek's nature, we have now become close friends and have continued discussing and sharing of books, music and more personal experiences. As a surfer Derek is highly experienced and truly “rips” ,as a host & guide he has always been very knowledgeable of the locations we have visited and highly attuned to where the best waves will be located in terms of tides, directions of winds and crowds. My surfing personally has improved thanks to Dereks attention and guidance. His musical talent that is available most beings brings the perfect end to your day. I have to thank Derek personally on the spiritual guidance he has given me. He is a most soulful human.”

Alex Illing -Portugal

During a recent surf holiday experience up in the Telo Islands, Indonesia I had the pleasure to meet & be treated to the unparalleled services of Derek Thomas. I found Derek to be a true professional, having confidence in his knowledge of the ocean & how to provide our group with exactly what our needs were. Nathan Hodge- former WSA tour surfer.

Nathan Hodge- former WSA tour surfer.

”It gives me great pleasure to express my sincere appreciation to Derek Thomas who held the titles of Guest Relations, Lead Surf Guide, Yoga Instructor and Live Entertainer at both Pegasus properties Pinnacles on Telo & Telo Island Lodge located in North Sumatra, Indonesia, as well as our remote location in Sumbaw . Derek’s multi faceted skill set added extra value to our guests’ experiences nd I found him to be very knowledgable and accomplished in all operations related to Pegasus Resorts and guest relations.”

David DeBrito - General Manager, Pegasus Resorts

”Derek Thomas was the main point of contact for clients from airport pick up to drop off aboard our family owned luxury yacht. Being a guide on an exclusive yacht charter having multiple groups with high expectation on the same boat can be very challenging and demanding. Everything from organizing daily activities and guest relations to safety briefings, assessing client surf levels bringing them to the various surf breaks and keeping the energy flowing.

Derek does it with a smile and sincerity that shows how much he enjoys it as well as cares about each guests experience. He also performed music a few nights a week for the guests on our top deck lounge. Singing and playing with his acoustic guitar and harmonica he added something to the experience that was very special, relaxing and fun.”

Gaëlle Mesnard - Operation Manager Ocean Divine Safari Yacht- Maldives  

"Derek has a unique ability to eloquently blend science and spirituality while address the connection between our physiology and emotions. "I’ve found his guided Breathwork & Meditation Workshops to act as a catalyst for deep transformative experiences to begin unfolding for our clients here at the Arizona Relationship Institute." 

“Dr. Lisa Gold owner/founder of The Arizona Relationship Institute"

“Derek brings over 25 years of ocean activity experience to his guests as well as instructor/coach certification from internationally recognized NSSIA. He is also a seasoned certified Breathwork/Meditation & Yoga facilitator. Derek has an infectious energy and uncanny way of making clients feel comfortable, focusing on both their safety and enjoyment. His passion for surfing, decades of experience and ability to connect with high end clientele both young and old set him apart from all the others.”

Doug Oyen - Chief Adventure Officer, La Vida Laguna

“I have been interested in and practiced different pranayama techniques for about 10 years. What I experienced with Derek and his Conscious Breath Workshop was really an eye opener into how much deeper into practice I can delve. He holds a solid space with excellent guiding which allowed me to feel very comfortable and completely let go. I’d encourage bringing the techniques he teaches into your day to day.”

Chris Harrison

"Being a yoga and wellness facilitator myself, I acknowledge the tremendous value in Derek's conscious breath workshops. Derek’s guiding holds the space for others to dive deeper into these doorways of consciousness while making it easily digestible for all involved. If given this opportunity I highly encourage you to give it a go”

Kim Rangimarie Tasker- Certified Yoga Director/Facilitator

“We spent ten days living on a private island in North Sumatra , having organized a trip there for a couple of mates and our families. Derek acted as our host on the island concerning himself with every detail of our surfing experience. He worked so hard for us in aspects of our trip too numerous to mention and he did it with soul and grace. It was an expensive holiday by our standards and it more than met our high expectations. I know I speak on behalf of all of us that this was in a large part thanks to Derek. A beautiful guy and as a bonus he is a very good musician. We loved listening to him playing guitar and singing. Couldn’t recommend him more highly.”  

Andrew and Penny Knight

Had the pleasure to meet & be treated to unparalleled service by Derek during a recent surf holiday experience up in remote Indonesia. I found Derek to be relational professional & had confidence in his knowledge of the ocean & how to provide his clients exactly what their needs were. 

Nathan Hedge - WSA circuit pro