Panama Eco Adventure - 2011 Episode 2

Here is the next Panama Eco Adventure episode. We had a wonderful family down here with us in February. Jim and Ramon caught the boys surfing on film. Enjoy!

Perfect Amalgam

Friday was one of those days that does not come around often. Many things all blended together forming the most perfect amalgam. A true rarity with sunny blue skies, 5-foot swell prediction, a scarce dash of free time, a boat scheduled to leave for town after lunch (near our favorite surf break) and my son Tres would be finished with school. Holly Mackerel! It was like a message from the gods, not to be taken lightly.

The decision made itself over a cheeseburger and fries lunch, a rarity in itself here at Tranquilo Bay. I was well on my way but still needed to secure maternal consent for the boy. Mom gave us the go ahead (Thanks Mom) and we had only 30-minutes until the boat was to cast off. We were so stoked.

Shades, hat, rash guard, sun screen, wax, before we knew it the boat was speeding away from the dock and heading towards the beautiful glassy lines we knew we would find. Tres choose his 6-foot blue thruster and a 7-foot green fun shape for his buddy Scott, who would be joining us later. I choose an Ocean Kayak Big Yak, great for surfing medium sized clean surf, a real fun ride.

I could see the anticipation on my son's face as we started across the big channel. As we coasted the boat in and got our first look at the surf it was clean and about one whole foot. I'm not talking Hawaiian style, these were 1-foot on the face. The boat dropped us off and we agreed upon what time to rendezvous.

At least we would have some fun paddling around and could reluctantly check out all the coral heads we routinely surf over. Flat days here are actually kind of creepy because of that. Better to surf in mind-numbing bliss than to actually know what is underneath you I always say.

We had been there about 10-minutes, goofing off on the inside, when all of a sudden we were caught off guard by a monster 3-foot set. The set made me think about checking out the real break on the other side of the point. Just maybe there would be something to ride.



"Hey Tres" I shouted to my son, "not much going on here, do you want to paddle over to the big point where I surf and try to catch one?" "Yes, yes, yes, I am ready Dad," he said. As we paddled around the point a few swells moved under us as they began to stack up on the reef. It was open-water and Tres seemed very alert and a just a little bit anxious. I started up with a little small talk while we were paddling to ease his mind. Then a couple waved at us and took our picture from high on the rocky point. Tres noticed the photo and I could tell he felt BIG paddling out to the real spot with his Dad.

Just then a head high set (Tres' head not mine) rolled in off the point. Tres instantly got a little nervous, "Dad maybe we should go back to wait for Uncle Jay, it looks pretty big Dad." "Common," I said, "we paddled all the way up here to take a look, lets at least paddle over and just feel a couple waves."

We arrived at the take off spot and watched a few roll under us. Tres was ready, tried paddling hard for a few, but couldn't quite get in. Then I saw some nice pretty lines coming so we paddled out just a bit farther. We let the first wave of the set go, but the second one was to perfect. We both took off on the same wave, at the same time, just a few feet apart. It was his first wave ever at Carenero.

The visual image I shall maintain with clarity. He dropped in the wave to my left, I stayed a high line at the crest of the wave looking down. He looked beautiful sliding down the face of that clean wave; his first of what will be many here, in this home spot. It was so cool; I know we will return often as his skills advance.

After feeling a little "horsepower" at Carenero, Tres was ready to go back and meet his best buddy Scott in more familiar territory. We were back in the lineup at our normal spot, where Tres feels at home. I could see the tension in his body language fade.

Uncle Jay, Scott and Patrick pulled up just at the right time. Scott jumped in without his board and swam over to our line-up. "I just feel like swimming Uncle Jim," Scott said. He didn't miss much. As we talked about the day, Tres said, "Hey Scott, my Dad and I went up there and surfed Carenero and it was kinda big." I only smiled and interjected nothing.

Well, the "Perfect Amalgam" never really generated that beautiful 5-foot surf, but it sure produced one hell of a lifetime memory.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP)

So, I took a dare from my seven year old son last Saturday. It was my 43rd birthday and he wanted me to do something different. He told me I needed to try out stand up paddle boarding. He and his dad took the board for a spin on Friday afternoon and Tres was hooked. So I tried it. And I am hooked.



I went out again on Sunday just to confirm that I had really enjoyed it the day before. On Sunday the water was a bit choppier in the open ocean so I headed into the more protected area of the bay to keep trying things out. Time passed and I had been on the board for almost an hour without even realizing it. It does take a special board in order for you to keep your balance unless you are say Tres at age seven. He can use a foam surf board for a stand up paddle board. Me - not so much.

I am working on a way to get at least one of these here for me in the near future and if at all possible see about offering them to our guests at some time. There are no manufacturers here in Panama so we are going to have to import them which makes things a bit more complicated. In the mean time, if you have a chance to try a stand up paddle board on calm waters, go for it. It is a great way to enjoy nature and get a work out at the same time.

A different spin on SuperBowl Sunday

Here are just some of the photos Jim took on the little boy's first trip to Punta Valiente. It was Martin's first trip as well. They all enjoyed the body whomping as the kids call body surfing. The swell wasn't much to ride that day but everyone had fun. The kids made some new friends and everyone had a great experience.

Scott's Words on Surfing OLS

Tres' Take on the last OLS Session

So here is Tres' take on his session at OLS the other day. We will hopefully have Scott's take on it tomorrow.

Surf session at OLS

So yesterday, Jim and Jay loaded up the boat with Scott and Tres, Stefanie and Patrick, some friends and a few surfboards and headed into town. We had a family to pick up in town later in the afternoon so they had enough time to get in a few hours with the boys at OLS. Stefanie, Patrick and Gina all went to town while the boys surfed. Boty and I enjoyed a few hours here at TB on our own. The boys had a marvelous surf session. It is so cool to see how they are growing stronger and picking up new skills. You can tell by the looks on their faces how much fun they are having. See for yourself!




Tres learning his style.



Brandon showing the little kids how to do it.



Scott on one of the many waves he rode standing tall.



Apparently having the tongue out of your mouth makes it easier.



Brandon again. Jim has learned a few new tricks in surf photography. I think I may need to buy him a helmet.



Almost up. Tres was standing up and then attempting to jump and do tricks just like he does on his surfing game on the iPod.



Scott taking a breather in between sets.



Pure determination.



No - they didn't have any fun.

The day we learned to surf

Off for a big surf down off the point
 


They call this pearl diving



Made the drop
 


Get off my wave school boy
 


You burned me dude
 


Out of the way



I swear dude it was over head
 


Watch out, I told you not to burn me



THE GLIDE



My second stand up, no one bothered to take a picture the first time
 


Hanging with the Dads
 


We're both going for it
 


It's called a "Hang 20"
 


It's so easy dude
 


Come on, Nuri's got some cookies

all to ourselves

Area: Bocas del Toro Archipelago
Activity: Surfing
Weather: Beautiful sunshine...too much sunshine

Even on small days you can find a nice wave in this part of the Caribbean. I was amazed at what we found today. After feeling a bit disappointed by the surf report, we stumbled onto a gem in the rough. This just instilled in me that even when things look bleak, a little perseverance can have the deepest rewards. This is how the day played out. The surf had gone down considerably from previous days so we shot out to the spots that had a chance of holding up under the current conditions. Repeatedly we found nothing that looked like any fun and then the one spot that was a sure thing had ten guys out in the lineup. On our last shot we found a wave that was

uninhabited

, pealing and very clean. Just one problem existed, if you did not make the wave you were in about six inches of water on top of the reef. I was a little upset because everyone else in the group was on body boards and I was the lone stand up surfer. After paddling out and realizing there was no way I was going to chance hurting myself or my board I made my way back to the boat, grabbed a sponge (aka body board) and got back in the lineup. We took turns between the three of us at late drops and fast rides for

almost five hours

with a short break for lunch. The wave was short, committing but a tone of fun and the best part was we never thought it would be there, and of course we had it all to ourselves.

another day in paradise

The swell has dropped around the islands it was decided this day would be about cruising in search of more spots for future surf missions. Equipped with a depth finder, GPS, and charts of the area we fired up the boat and took off. There were squalls on the horizon but the sun was beating down upon us. The winds were howling and the day already had the makings of an epic adventure. First destination, an island named Cayo Agua because of its proximity to open ocean swell and shelter from wind. This island has some wonderful possibility with point and beach breaks. Due to the small swell on this day we only got a taste of what it could be like. However we did witness a few nice sets roll through and peal down the line. This got our bodies quivering with anticipation of what could be when things picked up. Everyone was ready to jump in but the consistency was just not there, another foot quite possibly could have made the difference. Guess we should have been there yesterday. To quell our thirst we shot out to the Zapatilla Cayes in hopes that the outside breaks would be a bit larger and allow us some rides. It was a good decision; we rode a few and went home smiling, another day in paradise.

in search of a clean wave

Area: Carenero Island
Activities: Surfing
Weather: Beautiful, but windy :)

First thing in the morning, after some coffee of course, we looked at the surf report. A nice swell was pushing, 6 to 8 feet with 10-second intervals. Beautiful, the sun is out with those light, fluffy Caribbean clouds lining the horizon but one thing was amiss, the wind. We set out with high hopes of finding some waves on the front side of Bastimentos Island but as we rounded Old Point we were greeted with a strong west wind that had us guessing about our destination. Pushing on in hopes that the break we were headed to might have just enough cover to hold the waves from being blown out. Upon our arrival it was apparent that the choppy water was just not going to serve for a day of surfing. Bobbing in the water like a coconut headed to some remote outpost, we all sat down to make a decision. It was decided to make a run for Carenero, a nice spot close to Isla Colon that we knew for sure was sheltered from the wind. The ride was worth it, stunning views of the front side of Bastimentos and a clean wave to enjoy the day on.