From Music Industry Burnout to Secret Surf Sanctuary
In 2018, Riany Kathirithamby made a life-altering decision. After twelve years working as a music industry executive touring the globe with famous DJs and bands, including stops in Western Australia, she walked away from what many would consider a glamorous career. "To an outsider it might sound glamorous, but the music industry can be quite toxic and dark. After 12 years, I'd had enough. I was burnt out health-wise and craving something more peaceful," she revealed.
A Healing Journey Across Continents
Her departure sparked an extended walkabout across Asia, beginning with transformative experiences in India where she studied yoga and sound healing. The journey continued to Sri Lanka, her family's homeland, where she first joined a surfing retreat. It was here that Kathirithamby discovered her passion for riding waves, making surfing a central priority in her newly simplified life.
Her travels eventually led her to Indonesia, where she found herself in Lombok as the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020. Lombok, often described as Bali's sister island, features a south coast scalloped with picturesque bays and beaches, lined with offshore reefs that create ideal surfing conditions. With international travel restrictions preventing tourist arrivals, Kathirithamby experienced what few surfers ever do: having entire waves to herself on most days. "It reminded me of Sri Lanka. Very raw and real, living in nature," she recalled.
The Birth of Floating You Retreats
Several months into her Lombok stay, Kathirithamby experienced what she describes as a eureka moment. She founded Floating You, a unique surfing retreat with a distinct focus on healing and personal transformation. "Floating You was born from my healing journey. The retreats have three elements: surfing, yoga and holistic well-being," she explained.
The first retreat took place in Lombok in December 2020, initially attended mostly by friends. Despite the challenging timing during a global pandemic, the concept quickly gained momentum. To date, Kathirithamby has hosted twenty-six sold-out retreats and expanded the Floating You experience to multiple international locations including Morocco, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Hainan, a tropical island in China.
A Systematically Planned Week of Transformation
Each Floating You retreat follows a carefully structured weeklong program designed to facilitate personal growth. "Every day is systematically planned," Kathirithamby says of her approach. "There's always surfing and yoga in the morning as well as breathwork and meditation, and in the afternoon of Day One, we do a yin yoga session and sound healing."
The second day introduces participants to their first personal growth workshop, which Kathirithamby describes as helping people understand where they currently stand in their lives. "There are usually lots of tears as people reminisce about the bad decisions they made in life," she observes. Over subsequent days, she guides participants through meditation techniques designed to help them release negative patterns and emotional baggage.
The culinary experience receives equal attention, moving beyond typical surf camp fare. "Our meals take you on a culinary journey," Kathirithamby emphasizes. "Wherever we go, we use local recipes and ingredients. You get freshly cooked, healthy food, there's no meat but plenty of seafood."
Escaping the Crowds: The Secret Destination Strategy
Although Kathirithamby continues to reside in Lombok, the island's dramatic increase in tourism has necessitated a strategic shift for her retreats. Lombok attracted approximately one million visitors last year, with most concentrating on the south coast where Floating You originally operated. "Lombok got too crowded, the surf culture got too hip," she explains. "I want people who come on my retreats to grow in each session, and I can't guarantee that when there are 10 surfers on every wave, boards flying through the air and people getting hurt."
Her innovative solution involves relocating her Indonesian retreats to quieter, less discovered locations where waves outnumber tourists. To preserve these pristine environments, Kathirithamby maintains strict secrecy about destinations until the last possible moment. "The place we go to now is remote, off-the-radar, and the waves have almost no other surfers," she reveals.
Participants only learn their destination after booking, allowing them to arrange flights while maintaining confidentiality. Upon arrival, attendees must sign non-disclosure agreements and agree not to geo-tag any photos or videos shared on social media. "That way, it stays a secret," Kathirithamby concludes, ensuring these special locations remain undisturbed.
Practical Details for Prospective Participants
The next Floating You secret surf retreat in Indonesia is scheduled for March at an undisclosed location. Spots are priced at $4200 per person, excluding flights and insurance. This investment covers the comprehensive weeklong program of surfing instruction, yoga sessions, meditation workshops, sound healing experiences, and carefully prepared meals featuring local ingredients.
Kathirithamby's journey from music industry burnout to creating transformative retreat experiences demonstrates how personal healing can evolve into a meaningful business that helps others find peace, purpose, and connection through nature's rhythms.
