the story behind tshau
As a psychologist, Jana had always believed in the positive impact sport can have on physical and mental wellbeing, but it wasn’t until she experienced it herself that she realised how deep that impact really goes. In 2019, Jana did her first surf trip to the Canary Islands. She fell in love with the feeling of dancing on water and the connection with nature and the sea. But what fascinated her most was the unpredictability: never knowing what will happen when you paddle out takes away your sense of control. For Jana, it became a reminder that life is about embracing the unknown, adapting, and letting go of expectations.
Little did she know that surfing would transform her life just five years later. It led her to live in different corners of the world, meet the most beautiful people, and find home in different communities. It was like diving deep not only into the water, but into places, cultures and human connection. Her vision grew beyond riding waves: she wanted to create spaces where sport brings people together, fosters belonging and keeps social responsibility at the forefront. That’s how tshau was born in late 2024.
This year, Anna joined Jana as co-founder. Water had always been Anna’s happy place: she grew up swimming and spent years doing synchronised swimming. Beaches, on the other hand, were a different story. Her only experience was a windy, freezing holiday in the Netherlands. So when a friend convinced her, at 17, to join a three-week surf camp on the French Atlantic coast, she said yes, with a serious case of what have I gotten myself into? The instructors spoke no German, she spoke no French, and her briefing came in broken English and plenty of hand gestures. But the moment she caught her first wave, she couldn’t stop grinning. The moment she stood up, she was hooked.
What followed was anything but a straight line. A board that looked incredibly cool but was a little too small, endless nosedives, waves caught on one wobbly knee and a growing fear of bigger waves. Though, she made a promise to herself: As soon as she was good enough, she’d become a surf instructor. Nine years after her very first lesson, she completed her Surf instructor training.
how we met and our vision
Anna and Jana first met in 2020 at a surf camp in France. Neither of them knew if they would ever see each other again, but year after year they kept running into each other by chance, drawn to the same place and catching the same waves. When Jana started tshau, she was looking for someone to cook. And she remembered how Anna had managed to conjure up the best food in the world on a campsite with nothing but a single hot plate. No question: Jana needed her.
Together, Jana and Anna combine Jana’s background as a psychologist, yoga teacher and surf instructor with Anna’s background in therapeutic and special needs education, her surfing and her incredible talent for cooking. What started as a shared passion has become a shared journey: creating spaces where people can connect and grow, both individually and as a community. Holding space for these experiences is the heart of everything they do.
my name is Jana
I grew up in Germany and have spent the last years exploring different corners of the world, surfing waves, meeting incredible people, and discovering what it truly means to feel at home wherever life takes me. I work as a psychologist (M.Sc.), surf instructor, and certified yoga teacher (200h). Over the years, as my path has led me across different countries and coastlines, it shaped both my personal and professional journey. I became a certified surf instructor through the German Surfing Association and completed 200h Vinyasa and 50h Yin Yoga teacher trainings, teaching people from all backgrounds and creating inclusive, empowering spaces.
Today, I integrate psychology, yoga, and surfing into programs that support self-awareness, resilience, and meaningful connection. My work is rooted in the belief that personal growth flourishes when people come together – whether on the mat, in the water, or in a shared experience. At the heart of all of that is the deep desire to shape connection through shared moments – with yourself, with others, and with the world around you. So, are you ready to turn the page and begin the next episode of your story?
my name is Anna
Water has always been my happy place: I grew up swimming and spent years doing synchronised swimming. At 17, a friend talked me into a three-week surf camp on the French Atlantic coast, and from my very first wave, I was hooked. What followed were too-small boards, countless nosedives and one broken arm, until, nine years after my first lesson, I became a certified surf instructor through the German Surfing Association. Because I know exactly what it feels like to be at the beginning, I love meeting people where they are, something my background as a special needs educator has taught me, too.
My second great love is cooking. It began in my mum’s kitchen with pancakes and freshly baked bread, and grew into a passion when I moved to New Zealand as an au pair at 18. Today, I cook intuitively, inspired by fresh ingredients, local markets and the places I travel to. For me, food is so much more than what ends up on the plate: it brings people together and turns simple moments into lasting memories. Whether we’re sharing a wave or a meal, I want everyone to feel welcome, cared for and at home. So, are you ready to pull up a chair? There’s a seat at our table for you.
contact us
You’d like to learn more about our yoga and surf retreats, secure your spot, or have individual questions? Then you’re in the right place.
Feel free to reach out to us anytime using the contact form.