WSSM SURF RETREATS
THANK YOU... to our Retreat Sponsors
PACIFIC PANAMA
May 31 - June 8, 2021 (7 nights)
JOIN US... As we celebrate FREEDOM, SUMMER, & ENDLESS WAVES ... On the black sand beaches of the surf drenched Pacific Panama coastline!
WSSM is headed back to one of our favorite surfing destinations in the world... And you're invited!
Pacific Panama. A magical land of empty waves HIDDEN DEEP IN THE JUNGLES OF PANAMA, where you'll experience 7 glorious days of living on a private island surrounded by surf breaks for all levels of surfing. No one else is there except you and your travel buddies, and days are spent surfing as much as your body can handle. Make life-long friends as you fill up and refuel with huge portions of delicious, healthy, local cuisine, and spend your non-surf time exploring the beaches, practicing yoga, meditating, journaling, or simply relaxing in a hammock.
This is the furthest you'll likely ever go- to the middle of nowhere- for waves you've only ever dreamed about.
MAGIC exists... and it's in Pacific Panama.
COME WITH US!
ALL-INCLUSIVE RETREAT includes:
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Panama City airport (code: PTY) arrival & departure group meet-up location, with airport shuttle included to this location (board and luggage storage is available here while we await the arrival/departure of other guests)
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Private, group transportation to/from Panama City to surf camp
(only when you arrive/depart within specified window on specified dates)
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Travel guide/companion to/from Panama City (no need to go anywhere by yourself!)
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Shared or private accommodations at surf camp on a private island (7 nights)
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3 large meals per day at surf camp (vegan diets can be accommodated with advance notice)
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2x daily boat transfers to surf breaks (10 to choose from!)
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Surf guide
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Unlimited filtered water/coffee at camp (bringing a refillable bottle will help cut-down on plastic usage)
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Yoga area
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Surfing & retreat photography
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WSSM Magazine editorial coverage (this retreat will be included in a future issue of WSSM)
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Printed copies of the magazine once released
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DELUXE WSSM "surfer" goodie bag
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Friends for LIFE! (Many of our guests come alone, and leave with life-long friends, so if you can't find someone to come with you, don't worry, it's ok to come by yourself, and you're sure to leave with new surf buddies for life!)
Not included:
Alcohol, soft drinks/bottled water, tips, tax, tourist taxes at PTY, meals other than at the surf camp.
PRICING:
$1,575 per person | shared room, single bed
$1,849 per person | private room, single bed
SPACE IS EXTREMELY LIMITED!!!
TERMS:
- $500 non-refundable deposit holds your space. Full payment due no less than 30 days prior to retreat start date.
Photos by: Gabeto Fernandez
Make new surf sisters for lifeIt's ok to come by yourself if you can't find a travel buddy... You're sure to leave with new life-long friendships! | Adventure begins HEREAt the boat launch, ready to travel 40 minutes by boat ... through mangroves, jungle, open ocean, and islands | You're private island bound!Headed to the camp is an adventure in itself |
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Camp, located at the waters edgeLocated on its own private island, camp life here is simple, easygoing and slow. It feels GOOD. | SCHEDULE? Surf all dayThere's only 1 other camp in the area, so surfing all day with just those in your group is the norm here | Start off with some surf at Elijah'sThis fun beach break has waves for all levels. Here, Kerry and Kristin share waves at Elijah's. |
Surfing Elijah's with the girlsKerry, Kristin and CJ sharing waves at Elijah's | STOKED!When was the last time you came in from a session THIS stoked? | Camp life goes on...Meanwhile back at camp, a massive lunch is being prepared for you to feast on upon your return. Vegetarian diets can be accommodated. |
Pathway to the cabins | Current cabanasThese current cabanas sleep 2 per cabin comfortably But, new construction on 4 more has started on the hill above, providing EPIC views for guests in summer 2020! | Rustic, comfortable accommodationsComfortable mattresses and pillows, ocean views and breezes, and rain on the tin roof. HEAVEN! |
Camp lifeSip on a coconut, explore the private island, or chill in a hammock and watch the tides rise and fall as you sip on a cup of Panamanian coffee. | WSSM GirlsMany photos from these retreats will be later published in WSSM Womens Surf Style Magazine, and you'll receive copies ! | Get lost in the stillnessThere's a magic here in the stillness, that's soul-fulfilling. |
Surfing Elijah'sKerry-- loving life in Panama | waves, waves, waves | SnickersJust down the beach from Elija's is Snickers, a SUPER fun beach break that offers rights and lefts for all levels of surfing |
More adrenalin, please?Need bigger waves? Leftovers will answer that need! This left-hand point break offers waves from 5'-25'. This wave is a thrill machine! | LeftoversBig walls of water will thrill you here at Leftovers! | Sandra @ LeftoversPhotos from your trip will forever capture the moments others only dream of experiencing firsthand. |
Jungle backdropBlack sand beaches, thick jungle forests... it's a sensory overload being here | Surf life in Pacific PanamaKaydi drops in at Elijah's | Sit and chillArriving by boat makes getting to the surf breaks super easy! You just gotta sit and chill until you're ready to catch a wave... |
Another beautiful day in paradise | Laugh, Surf, Repeat | Back to the boatIt's SO HARD to leave when there's no one else out, and the waves are firing! |
My crewI've been honored to surf with these ladies all over the world... and it all started on a WSSM Surf Retreat 7 years ago | Local beverage dispenserCoconut anyone? | Island activitiesHike and explore our private island in your downtime |
PANAMA- Where time stands stillSunset at camp is breathtaking! | Good times with good friendsBonfire stories are the best with surf stoked storytellers | Sunset in PanamaOur view from camp each night |
Off for more surf!Traveling 30 minutes by boat to reach Nestles, P Land and Leftovers is sooo worth it. These big wave spots can hold massive swell. | The locals | Tropical backdrop"One of the most surf-drenched, isolated, and beautiful places I've surfed, anywhere in the world" - Sandra | WSSM Publisher |
SnickersMore waves than you can possibly count await you here in Pacific Panama. Don't miss it! |
THE WAVES
(From shortboad, to funshape, longboard and SUP...
There are waves here for ALL levels of surfing, and they're all ours!)
THE SANDBAR Located directly in front of the camp, it almost always offers a surfable wave, and when it’s on, it’s pretty sweet! On such days, Steve (owner) says “there are A frame peaks going left and right that will leave your arms feeling like the spaghetti you ate last night, and your jaws will hurt from smiling so much”. We had so much fun at Leftovers on this trip, we never had enough energy to try the sandbar. Next time !
THE POINT (Sighhhhhhh...) This is where I caught my first barrel. Heavy, heaving, and laden with great barrels, this spot requires commitment and dedication down the line. One small hesitation, and you’ll find yourself standing in thigh-high water on top of large boulders, looking out to sea at giant walls of whitewater rushing towards you, attempting to slam you mercilessly into the steep cliff behind you. Not a break for beginners or those looking for a cushy wave. If there are adrenaline junkies in your group-- this is the wave they’ll want to surf.
EMILY’S is a short boat ride away from the new camp, and fires non-stop in front of the old camps location. It’s rocky shoreline is rugged, and navigating it is tricky if you’re coming from shore. But, since now you’re arriving by boat, your feet need never touch the shore! This fun point break peels nicely, and while it can’t handle BIG swell like some of the other waves nearby, it can be a fun and consistent way to get your feet wet, literally. Watch out for the shallow spots!
ELIJAH’S Named after the son of the man who lived further down the beach from the old camp (yep, that’s how remote it is here, you can name a break after your son), and an 8 minute paddle from Emily’s, Elijah’s is a gentle, sandy bottom beach break that empties into a small bay, and doubles as the boat launch for the old camp. Playful and consistent, it’s super fun on a medium tide, and when you get a bunch of friends all surfing it together on all sizes of boards, good times are guaranteed! A great wave and favorite for beginners through intermediates.
SNICKERS Located a ½ mile down the beach from Elijah’s on the most beautiful stretch of black sand beach (there’s sand dollars on this beach!), Snickers offers a fun and playful beach break, with multiple peaks going both right and left. Gorgeous jungle and a thicket of palm trees lining the shore make it a spectacular view while surfing.
Because it’s a beach break, it can’t handle big swell, but on waist to a couple feet overhead, and on the right tide (trust your surf guide on this!) it’s PURE MAGIC! We had the most incredible 5 hour session at Snickers ten years ago, and I’ve been chasing that experience ever since at other beach breaks around the world, unfortunately, without success. Like I said, there’s magic in Panama.
EL TORO (The Bull) A dumpy, punchy, super fun beach break/reef that offers mostly lefts and the occasional right, and lines up in a small bay, cozily embedded between gigantic rock formations that tower into the heavens. On smaller days, this is a great choice for short, fun rides and playful surf. Get a big swell, and you’re in for a thumping.
NESTLES BIG. INTENSE. BARRELS. Need I say more? Located on the smallest of the nearby islands, this is one of two intense waves on this tiny island that are perfect for those seeking elevator-drop-in, heaving barrels that will challenge the best of surfers. Breaking both left and right, all we can say is... Go get ‘em!
LEFTOVERS A WSSM favorite for sure! This incredible left-hand point break wraps around a small island, and lies just east of P Land. Accessible only by boat (30+ minutes), it’s best surfed on mid-high tide (low tide is scary). Rising up out of deep water, this wave gets your heart pumping whether you’re heading straight for the exit the entire ride, or candidly avoiding the shelf that ALMOST pops up while connecting all three sections correctly. The take-off zone spans quite a distance usually, helping the less-adrenalin fueled surfer to take off on a softer shoulder, further down the line. It’s a big, beautiful and REALLY fun wave! Pack a lunch and extra water, and hit it early before the winds turn on… you’re not going to want to leave this wave.
P LAND Located a short 8 minute boat ride from Leftovers, this tantalizing left-hand point break can hold faces over 20’! Best ridden at mid-high tide, it’s powerful and consistent, making it a favorite for those looking to improve their big wave skills and who can handle the occasional beating on the inside. Best for intermediate to advanced surfers.
BOOK YOUR TRIP!
Call us at 808.383.8323 to make a payment, reserve your space, or ask questions.
We're here to help make this that vacation you're dreaming of !