Kima Surf Camp Weligama

The Place

The first time you arrive at Kima Weligama is an experience in itself. You enter that small straight dirt track, you cross the train tracks, pass the gate, and walk/drive down that long aisle of trees giving shadow. At the end of which you can get a glimpse of the camp. But it's no ordinary camp, we're talking about a huge colonial villa with huge patios, multiple gardens, a central bar, a swimming pool, old trees, wooden stairs and windows. Truly beautiful! I love it!

From there, you can walk to the beach and into Weligama, crossing the train tracks to get in and out. Picturesque, authentic, and great for Instagram.

The Vibe

There was a great mix of people, all ages, backgrounds, and all surf levels, from beginners to advanced Californian surfers. I was worried it'd be a beginner-only camp, but that's not the case at all.

The Surf Experience

This is where Kima really shines. They put serious effort into the experience:

• 2 sessions per day standard
• (Almost) Daily video analysis — be sure to request it beforehand or join a session where it's planned
• Full session schedule displayed for the next days
• Mobile signup: see spots, times, wave type, difficulty, who's signed up, and if there's video
• 3:1 student-to-coach ratio
• Pro surfer coach manager

The quiver is solid, but you'll pay extra for "premium" boards if you want anything beyond foamies and Bics.

The Food

Food was great and varied, just a bit too Europeanised for me and a bit pricey for Sri Lanka (I love eating in small local restaurants and food stalls, and I usually avoid tourist cafes and restaurants). Just be on time for dinner — people refill without checking if others haven't eaten yet.

My Tip

Kima is so nice you might forget there's an entire country to explore. Sri Lanka has way more to offer than Weligama — get out and see it.

Bottom Line

One of the best camps I've been to. No hesitation recommending it.