PROFESSIONAL, SAFE & EFFECTIVE SURF COACHING
BEST SURF CAMP IN PANAMA
OUR SURF PROGRAM
Everybody Can Learn to Surf
We’ve all heard the expression, “only a surfer knows the feeling”. This is your chance to experience it. The feeling of riding across the face of a green wave, harnessing the pure energy of the ocean and being totally in sync with the rhythms of nature. Once you’ve had a good wave, you want more.
We believe surfing is one of the greatest sports around and everyone, regardless of age, gender, identity, ability, should be able to experience its uplifting physical and mental benefits.
Our Surf Camps, Retreats and Lessons are focused on complete beginners up to intermediate level, with small groups and personalized coaching for safe, effective and fast progression.
Why Choose Waluaa Surf Camp?
PERSONALIZED COACHING
With only 1 or 2 other surfers at your same level. Coaching includes theory, technique & video feedback.
IDEAL SURF conditions
Uncrowded, easy-to-learn beach break just meters away. Retreat weeks are selected for ideal conditions based on the tides and seasonality.
ISA CERTIFIED COACHES
Our ISA certified coaches are technically sound, patient and fun. Each with over 10 years of surf experience in Santa Catalina.
NATIONAL PRO SURFERS
Learn with National Pro Surfers and support local talent in the community. (Coaches vary week-to-week due to surf competition schedules).
“So great! You got a girl who NEVER goes into the ocean to go in, be less afraid and discover surfing is FUN! ”
Safe & Effective Surf Coaching
This is not about pushing you in waves and getting you to stand up, this is about understanding the waves and learning the fundamentals of surfing in a simple, safe and encouraging manner. A low ratio of surfer-to-instructor guarantees you received personalized coaching. Our surf lessons are taken at pace, never rushed with thoughtful instruction.
During our signature Waluaa Surf & Yoga Retreat, our goal is that you learn the fundamentals of surfing through immersion with core skills and gain both the confidence and ability to hit the surf on your next vacation.
How We Coach Surfing
We proudly teach the International Surfing Association (ISA) surf program. A technical program delivered in a simple, safe and encouraging manner, with a combination of in-water coaching, video feedback and surf theory.
Our coaches take the time to explain the fundamentals of surfing with continuous feedback for you throughout the week. Our ISA certified coaches are technically sound, patient, and fun. Every surf coach is here to support you as you achieve your surf goals.
Simple and concise explanation
Demonstration using key words and cues
Personalized coaching with a maximum or 1 or 1 other surfers at your same level
Active, repetitive practice of each skill
Continuous Feedback - immediate and encouraging
how it works
Personalized Coaching
With a maximum of 1 or 2 other surfers at your same level for safe and accelerated learning. Each lesson is around 2-2.5 hours and designed to be progressive.
Surf Warm-Up
Each lesson begins with a ISA approved surf-specific warm up that you will learn to prep you for your surf sessions.
Exceptional instruction
Our ISA certified coaches are technically sound, patient and fun. Each with over 10 years of surf experience in Santa Catalina. Learn with National Pro Surfers* and support local talent in the community.
*Surf coaches vary week-to-week due to competition schedules of our local Pro Surfers
Ideal Surf Conditions
Uncrowded, easy-to-learn beach break just meters away. Retreat weeks are selected for ideal conditions based on the tides and seasonality. We avoid national holidays such when our beaches are more crowded. Learn More About Our Beginner Wave →
Surf Theory, Technique & Video Feedback
Learn about reading the waves, paddle technique, pop up, turning, dismounting and more. See your surfing in personalized video feedback sessions to help you improve throughout the week, with videos sent to your device daily.
High-Quality Equipment
Your board, leash and long sleeve rashguard is provided. No wetsuit needed as the water is warm all year round. New surfers will begin with our 8ft easy-to-learn soft boards for buoyancy and safety. As you progress you can change boards from our range of epoxy fun-boards and high-performance fiberglass boards.
“All the instructors were all so helpful and encouraging. I came back to Los Angeles and went surfing. I got up right away because of their great teaching. ”
PLAYA ESTERO - A SURF OASIS
For Beginner to Intermediate Surfers
Our surf lessons are held at the warm waters of Playa Estero, one of the best beach breaks in Central America for beginner and intermediate surfers.
And we believe the best in Panama with gentler waves compared to Venao and Cambutal and more consistent than Bocas Del Toro. And it’s only 400m away. A relaxed and uncrowded beach with a gentle soft sand bottom with no precarious reef or rocks and no dangerours rips, and offering a very consistent swell.
Playa Estero is ideal for all levels of surfers, at about 700m long it has a variety of sand bars that deliver varying waves depending on the tide and the size of the swell. Best conditions are generally between high and mid tide with medium size swell of 3 - 5 ft.
During coaching at Playa Estero you will be filmed in-water with go pro video, and/or from the shore, which will be sent to your device daily after each session, and reviewed with your surf coach for in person throughout the week.
LA PUNTA - A WORLD-CLASS POINT BREAK
For Intermediate to Advanced Surfers
For surfers looking to improve their level we will design a coaching plan to suit your ability, maximizing the current surf conditions and your expectations.
You will be guided on various breaks we have in our area, including the world-class point break, La Punta; an outer reef, formed by volcanic rocks. It serves up right hand waves from 3 - 15ft with long rides, up to 400m on the best days. It also has a left hand wave starting from the same point that is softer and shorter, but less crowded. Depending on the tides and the power of the swell, the wave can offer a few barrel sections and lot of face to perform open cutbacks, round house and re-entries on the steepest sections. The paddle out is about 500m (around 10minutes). We have direct paddle access from the back gate of our Surf & Yoga Camp. If you are staying at our Surf & Yoga Retreat, it’s a short 3min walk to the water. The paddle is long but easy through a channel.
During coaching at La Punta, your session will be filmed from the shore with a 400m lens, and you’ll receive coaching via video feedback. For safety and respect of the locals we don’t have our coaches in-water with students at La Punta, except as a guiding experience on your first day.
WHEN TO TRAVEL
Surf Seasons
December to April is our summer season, with small to medium size swell with predominantly offshore winds. We surf at middle to high tide, giving us a window of 6 hours each day. Our green season is May to November with the wetter months typically October and November. During the green season, we select the weeks to run our surf camps and retreats when the tide is in the morning, as the mornings are generally clear with favorable surf conditions. Green season is also our swell season and prime time for intermediate to advanced surfers at La Punta. We are blessed to have consistent swell in Santa Catalina with year round waves and variety for all level of surfer.
Identifying what level of Surfer you are
Beginner
This is your first time surfing, or you have had some lessons but still working on the basics.
ADVANCED Beginner
You are able to;
Paddle the surfboard effectively
Catch white water waves in prone position (lying down on the board)
Stand and ride white water waves
Traverse right and left on white water waves
Safely dismount from white water waves
INTERMEDIATE
You are able to;
Negotiate waves - paddle out through the white water performing eskimo rolls or duck dives to access unbroken waves
Understand surf awareness - paddling around the break, awareness of other surfers, how to handle the surfboard in a line up
Perform basic manoeuvres - taking off on the face of the wave, traversing left and right on unbroken waves, dismounting from unbroken waves
Depending on your level, you may be working on, or already performing duck dives, bottom turn, top turn, cutbacks, cross stepping
Book a personalized surf lesson or series of surf coaching sessions with us. You’ll experience the same professional and personalized coaching that we offer with our retreat program. We’ve created the ideal surf experience that’s safe and effective. Open to all ages and all levels.
Surf Lessons
Surf Guiding & Boat Trips
For Advanced surfers keen to explore secluded island breaks and experience more of Santa Catalina’s surf, we provide Surf Guiding with Half or Full Day Boat Trips. Professional magazine quality photo’s also available. Contact us and let’s plan the ultimate day for you and your group: sergio@waluaa.com
Benefits of Surfing
The physical and mental health benefits of surfing have long been known in the surf community and evidence is growing about just how good surfing is for you. It combines cardiovascular exercise and strength training with a stress-relieving, mindfulness-based practice.
In today’s world, the ability to ‘ride the waves’ of whatever comes our way has never been more important. We cannot control what is happening around us, but we can control how we react. The experience we get from learning to surf translates profoundly on our everyday lives. We believe there’s never been a better time to experience the benefits of surfing.
5 Incredible Benefits of Surfing:
IMPROVES your MENTAL HEALTH AND RESILIENCE
Surfing requires complete focus and concentration so it’s a great way to clear the mind, step away from day-to-day life, and wipe away the effects of stress.
a MINDFULNESS practise
Surfing is likened to a moving meditation. It demands presence and awareness of yourself and your immediate surroundings, making it a great ‘mindfulness-in-action’ tool. Nothing washes away the perpetual to-do list like a great surf session.
CONNECTION TO NATURE
As we learn to surf we come to appreciate the power of Mother Nature, united with the energy of the ocean. You’ll thrive on riding the energy of the ocean — imagine it, waves of pure energy that have travelled miles upon miles to reach us.
BOOST HEART HEALTH AND OVERALL FITNESS
Surfing is a great cardiovascular exercise. You’re building up heart strength through paddling, standing on the board and working your core. Better yet, it’s a low impact sport that’s gentle on your knees and hip joints so it’s great for all ages.
IMPROVES your MOOD
Surfing releases endorphins giving you that dreamy ‘only a surfer knows the feeling’ sensation. You’ll feel less stressed, it gets easier to see ‘the bigger picture’ and help you embrace a more laid back attitude and approach to life.
“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.”
