A letter from Ed, Sofie, and Kit as Soul & Surf closes its doors in Varkala after 15 years, reflecting on where it began and what it became.
Words by Ed Templeton | 1st May 2026
Putting these photos together and writing this letter brings tears to my eyes.
Back in December 2009, Sofie and I rocked up in Varkala for the first time. We’d travelled the southwest coast of India looking for waves and somewhere to stay a month or two. We timed our first look at the coast with a proper swell.
Main beach was pumping.
I surfed every day. Hardly saw another surfer. Sofie did her yoga teacher training.
After a few weeks we started exploring.
I found Edava on a mid-sized swell and thought I’d died and gone to heaven.
A year later we were back with as many boards as we could carry. Rented a four-bed place near the south cliff. Bought an ambassador.
That was the start of Soul & Surf.
Our very first Ambassador
A home, for guests and staff
A year ago, our dodgy landlord made things clear. Unless we partnered with him and gave him a large % of every rupee we earned, we were out. Anyone who has run a business knows that doesn’t work.
We negotiated one more year. At an extortionate rent because we hoped we’d find another place, or that he’d change his mind. Neither happened.
So yesterday, April 30th 2026, we closed the doors on our cliff-top home.
Sophie with our local team
To everyone who’s been part of it: Guests, regulars, team, surfers, cooks, yogis, volunteers, DJs, dancers, photographers, artists, designers, filmers, therapists, friends.
A heartfelt thank you.
You helped build something that lasted 15 years. This chapter in Varkala has ended.
For now.
It hurts. As founders, losing the original home cuts deep.
More than that, it’s the team. Thirty-plus local staff out of work at the end of May. We’re doing what we can to support them through it. They’re good people. Skilled, solid, and part of a growing surf scene in Varkala that we’re proud to have founded.
To the Varkala Soul & Surf family. We love you. And I’m sorry we couldn’t save it.
Love, Ed, Sofie & Kit
x
Founders of Soul & Surf - Ed & Sophie
