Primera Ola Surf Retreat

ola

primera

An all girls-surf retreat in Santa Catalina, Panama.

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A Surf Retreat

for Aspiring Female Travelers

This retreat combines our love for Surfing, Self-Growth, forming Friendships and Adventures - while living in the emerging town Santa Catalina. Experience the week you've always dreamed of—surfing, fun activities, stunning sunsets, tropical vibes, and new friends in the making! First step for your latin america travels.

LOCATION

Santa Catalina, Panama, is a chilled-out surf paradise tucked away on the Pacific coast. It is known by surfers, divers, and backpackers as Santa Catalina offers world-class waves and untouched natural beauty. From Panama City, you can take the bus directly to Sona. In Sona you change the bus to Santa Catalina. Get off the bus at the playground and you have arrived at your accommodation: Casa Bodhi. Private Shuttles can also be arranged. We happily help you with the organisation.

MEET THE TEAM

Hola, Grüezi & Griasti!

We're Alex and Elli and we're thrilled to welcome you to our slice of paradise in Santa Catalina, Panama. We've experienced firsthand the transformative power of this breathtaking place, and we can't wait to share it with fellow travelers like you.

Alex, originally from Switzerland, and Elli, born & raised in Austria, found ourselves drawn to Santa Catalina at different times in our lives. Little did we know that this magical destination would become the catalyst for our personal growth and independence. Our friendship blossomed as we shared the same passions for surfing, Latin American culture, healthy food, content creation, skating, and traveling. Together, we evolved and thrived in this idyllic coastal town. Now we can’t no longer hold back and we want to share our lifestyle, the beautiful beaches, waves, and experiences with you.

CREATE A COMMUNITY

We want to create a community where strangers become friends and beautiful moments are shared together. Meet your next travel buddy at Primera Ola

OUR GOALS

Travel guidance

We want to be your big sisters - all your doubts and problems about solo traveling as a female can be shared with us. We´ll give you our input, share our experience and help you get out of your comfort zone.

surf adventure

We love surfing and we want to share our passion with you! Surfing is a sport that pushes you to go over your limits and grow. It´s a sport where you feel the magic of the ocean and waves and can experience beautiful moments.

what to expect

6 nights / 7 days of pure bliss

6 x NIGHTS (@CASA BODHI)
5 x BREAKFAST (@CASA BODHI)
1 x BREAKFAST IN TOWN
WELCOME DINNER (@CASA BODHI)
3 x DINNER IN TOWN
SNACKS
1 x SURF THEORY
4 x SURF LESSONS (1,5 h)
2 x SURF VIDEO - ANALYSIS
TWERKSHOP
DRAW & DRINK WORKSHOP
ICEBATH & BREATHING WORKSHOP
SNORKEL DAYTRIP TO COIBA NATIONALPARK
SALSA NIGHT

surf lessons

“Surf like a local by learning from the experts and riding waves with confidence.”

4 x 1.5 h surf lessons led by ISA certified, local instructors with extensive experience teaching this wonderful sport. Dive into the world of surfing with an introductory session, video recording of all lessons, and two video analyses to monitor your improvement.

surf Instructors

We only work with local coaches!

All of them are are born and raised in Santa Catalina and therefore know the waves, the beaches, the weather conditions and the surfboards by heart. We have been working with them for many years and are close friends. They were the ones, that pushed us into our first waves, and we surf together almost everyday.

Our head instructor is Kelvin, or Cholo el Toro. He is an ISA certified coach & Pro Surfer. He used to represent Panama during International Competition worldwide and won the title National Champion. Our fav female instructor is Johanny. Like Kelvin she used to represent the Panamanian Team during contests internationally. Johanny is a beast in the water & on the dancefloor powered by 100% Panamanian energy.

icebath & Breathing

Enhance Your Surfing Experience with Our Breathing and Ice Bath Workshop! 🧊🏄‍♂

Get ready to take your surfing skills to new heights. This workshop is designed to elevate your performance both in and out of the water! Introducing our Breathing and Ice Bath Workshop, an essential component of your surf & snorkel experience.

Discover how controlled breathing can optimize your oxygen intake, enhance endurance, and promote relaxation, allowing you to stay calm and focused in challenging surf conditions.

twerkshop

Get Ready to Move that Culo

with our Twerkshop! 🎶

Unleash your inner Latina, boost Confidence and Self-Expression: Discover the power of dance as a form of self-expression and empowerment. Our Twerkshop is designed to help you build confidence, unleash your creativity, and express yourself freely through movement.Learn to move your hips and booty! 1 hour of pure joy - focusing on twerking - with our local dancing queen Jhoanny. Warm up for the big Saturday Beach Party @Oasisbeachbar!

Draw & Drink

Dive into Creativity at our Draw and Drink Workshop 🍹🖌️

You can express your creativity while sipping on your favorite drinks! Introducing our "Draw and Drink" session, the perfect blend of artistic expression and relaxation during your surf retreat. Escape and Relaxation: Take a break from the surf and immerse yourself in a world of art and relaxation. Our "Draw and Drink" workshop offers a tranquil and inspiring setting where you can unwind, recharge, and enjoy some downtime while indulging in your passion for creativity.

CASA BODHI

Unwind in our chic shared apartments, connect with other retreat guests, and indulge in the exclusive pool, kitchen, and personal bathroom amenities. Our goal is to provide a relaxing and safe environment. You can choose from various fully-furnished apartment choices. We have shared 3 or 2 bed apartments & private apartments.

coiba national park

a snorkeling day-trip

to one of the most beautiful Marine life National Parks

You´ll get to see turtles, whitetip reef sharks, different fish species surrounded by tropical islands and crystal clear waters!

best practices - solo travel

We share our experience with you so you don´t have to make the same mistakes we did! Best known travel sites and routes, insights into handling local culture, dating advice and much more!

We are both born and raised in Europe but realized that the world has so much more to offer. We’ve experienced Backpacking, Solo Traveling, Vanlife, Adventuretravels, Visa-runs, and -last but not least - moving abroad.