Discover yourself through travelling

Sunsurfers. Who are they?

This is a community of like-minded people, who plan and organize their travels independently. Members are committed to healthy lifestyle: they do various sports, while they reject alcohol, smoking, and drugs as part of their lives. They aim for self-development in a range of different spheres. The Sunsurfers community is a diverse one, consisting of people from different countries, nationalities and religions.

Main moral principles shared by community members:

Non-violence: refraining from harming others and yourself.
Truthfulness: being honest with others and yourself.
No stealing: refraining from taking (wishing for) what doesn’t belong to you.
Living without alcohol, smoking and drugs.
Faithfulness and awareness in relationships.
Rejoicing in the success of others.

The intention of the community is to inspire other people to make positive changes. To share travel experience and exchange useful information about different countries. To open new horizons. To discover a better version of yourself. Joining the community is a wonderful opportunity to meet like-minded people. For these purposes, the community holds such events as SunGatherings, Universities, Yoga Retreats, and Coworking Retreats in different parts of the world.

Watch a video about Sungathering we had in Mexico in April of 2018, with comments of participants from USA, Germany, Mexico, Russia and 14 other countries:

How to distinguish a sunsurfer?

This is not a sect, a caste or a cult. But it is a particular lifestyle. If you recognize at least 2-3 of the points below as applying to you, then congratulations! You’ve come to the right place: here, you’ll find plenty of kindred spirits.

Travels light, takes only the absolute essentials

Eats healthily, loves fruit

Happy to communicate and to help

Practices yoga and meditation

Often in a great mood, smiles broadly at strangers

Often works online or owns a remote business

Frequently Asked Questions

Here we reply to the most frequently asked questions about the #Sunsurfers community and our travels.

In 2010, the soon-to-be founder of the community Marat Chasanov realized that many of his friends also wanted to travel independently around the globe, live in different countries, form healthy habits, develop spiritually and improve their health. But they were lacking motivation, knowledge and support.

Later, Marat realized that it was not only his friends and relatives who needed such a motivational kick and the support of like-minded people. There are hundreds of thousands of people all around the world who need the same. This is how the idea to build up the #Sunsurfers community came about. A community of people with similar ideals and a similar mindset, who support each other, travel together and develop together.

Not necessarily. Our events usually continue for 7-14 days. You can easily come and join during your vacations to become inspired and make your first steps towards a new life!

A lot depends on the country, the particular place and your personal preference in terms of comfort. On average, in Thailand you will need around USD 500 a month. On Bali you may need a bit more, but in India a little less may suffice. Sometimes, you can even travel with no money at all. Besides, there are many ways to travel on a low budget – such as hitchhiking, couchsurfing, and volunteering.

We earn money and invest it in travelling. Within the Sunsurfers community, you will find owners of online shops, SMM specialists, designers, web developers, bloggers, marketing consultants, translators, yoga teachers, stylists and specialists in many other different areas.

Based on our experience, independent travel is not expensive. We don’t pay extra money to travel agencies and don’t live in touristic hotels. Travelling non-stop in Asia, we often spend much less than in our settled lives at home. But, anyhow, we don’t find ourselves living frugally; we have all we need for a happy life.

Most sunsurfers speak pretty good English. We don’t have any troubles in communicating with locals. However, even if you don’t speak English or any other common language of the area, it shouldn’t stop you from travelling independently. You can always use an online translator on your smartphone or improvise an explanation using hand gestures. The most important thing is not to be scared or shy.

Yes, this is one of our goals — to have our own land, raise healthy children and practice permaculture together with our friends, families and like-minded people. This land will also be a platform for various developing activities, like yoga retreats, teachings, etc.

In order to achieve this goal we’ve purchased a piece of land in Georgia and started the foundation of the first Sunsurfers’ eco-village in June of 2018.

More details about the project can be found here (in Russian): sunsurfers.ru/eco-village-georgia.

For updates, announcements, photos and highlights from the SunVillage please follow our Telegram channel (in Russian).

Yes! We created an English-speaking Telegram chat, which is opened for everyone. Many interesting people from all over the world, who share ideas and values of Sunsurfers community, have already joined it. In the chat you’ll also find the co-founders of our community — Marat Chasanov and Sasha Wickenden. The chat has united 70+ people and counting.

Join us, tell about yourself and check up-to-date events of the community: https://t.me/joinchat/AgBtm0o9_0oZWAJzGvJ74Q

Our events & projects

Kakheti, Georgia

Eco-village in Georgia

This is a “power place” which attracts like-minded people from all over the world. They share intangible values, spread the accumulated knowledge and experiences, and want to contribute from their heart into the common space where people live harmoniously with nature.

In autumn 2017 we purchased a scenic piece of land, 9.1 hectares, in the Kakheti region. In spring we created the project of the eco-village, and in June of 2018 we started the first construction works. 20+ active members of Sunsurfers community and volunteers are working on the land at the moment.

If you want to come and help, please fill out the volunteer application form. The minimum period of stay is 1 week. We will contact you and let you know all the details on how to get to the eco-village, what to take along and which kind of help is needed.

5-15 May 2019. Uppuveli, Sri Lanka

Sun Gathering

Sun Gathering attracts travelers, and people who dream of becoming travelers, from different countries. For 10 days they create a fruitful atmosphere, where they practice yoga and meditation, and devoutly share their experiences and ideas. On this journey, they notice how their hearts open up. Sun Gathering happens twice a year in different countries and usually brings together around 100 travelers eager to share and to learn. In 2017 we met for Sun Gathering 8.0 in Morocco and Sun Gathering 9.0 in Turkey. In 2018 we met for Sun Gathering 10.0 in Mexico.

Summer 2018. Georgia

University

This is an intensive practical course for someone who is willing to change their life and experience greater happiness. It features yoga practice, lectures, workshops, and quests to draw you out of your comfort zone. It is an ideal way to learn how to be independent, earn while traveling and meet new, interesting and like-minded people.

Free e-book

The book on free spirit travels

We conducted a survey among hundreds of free travelers and gathered a lot of practical information. Afterwards, a team consisting of 15 Sunsurfers spent a few weeks carefully systemizing this information and mixing it with their personal experience. Eventually, they composed an interesting, highly practical manual that we’ll keep regularly updated. Learn more about Sunsurfers’ lifestyle: all the pros and cons, useful tips and life hacks for your own adventures, and inspiration to make the first step towards your dream life!

Online activities

Healthy Habits Challenges

Healthy Habits Challenges are 21 days online marathons from Sunsurfers which will help you to develop a healthy habit — early rising, meditation, daily workouts, balanced nutrition. These courses are for someone who is ready to get a boost in productivity, have extra 2-3 hours of personal time, become healthier and happier. Happiness is our true nature, but different barriers in our mind and body stop us from feeling it with all our being. Therefore, the aim of this project is to identify these barriers and to eliminate them, as well as to develop new healthy habits.

All the suffering there is in this world arises from wishing ourself to be happy. All the happiness there is in this world arises from wishing others to be happy.

— Shantideva