Copyright Geneva. All rights reserved. Reproduction of pictures in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Geneva is prohibited.
Goofing off on a small wave in Las Lajas, Panama.
I'm Geneva AKA Surfer Girl or Surfrbelle. As you can tell, I love the Ocean. I just can't imagine living away from it. I'm into bodyboarding, so I guess that makes me a "sponger". I ride a purple Toobs BB board, it's the best! I also love surfing. I used to surf on the Pacific Ocean when I lived in Panama and I sure miss the weather, the excellent and consistent waves and of course that wonderful warm water. Now I'm in the Sanford/Springvale area in Maine of all places but that's the way it goes!
I also ride a WRV 8'0". I'm not an expert but I hope to get better some day. What matters to me is that when I go surfing, I have fun :)
It's hard to imagine surfing in Maine... well, there are nice waves but the water is very cold, the temperature barely reaches 60 degrees F. in the summer and you can just imagine how it's like in the winter. I particularly don't surf here in the winter but some people do(they're really nuts *LOL*) Well they're crazy for being out there sometimes during snow storms but the waves are really nice so I can understand why they do it. I certainly can't bear the water temp after mid fall even with a good wetsuit. I guess it's because I grew up in a tropical place :)
Paddling out in my boogieboard in Las Lajas, Panama.
Maine surfers are very laid-back and cool. My fave place to go surfing is Fortune's Rocks. Other places are Ogunquit, Gooch's Beach in Kennebunk, Wells, Ocean Park at low tide and on some days Old Orchard Beach. There are also good secret spots but sorry, I won't give out directions LOL!I have to get some more pictures of me surfing...if I get someone to stay on the shore and take pics that is!LOL. Please remember to visit my other pages for more about me, photos and my modeling shots. The links are at the bottom of this page.
I get in the water for the right reasons. I grew up in a beautiful country in which surfing means a lot more than images, contests, localism nonsense. My friends and I used to camp at the beach and stay in the water until our arms felt like noodles from paddling. We used to watch the sunsets and hang out by the bonfire at night then we'd get up by dawn and hit the surf as soon as the sun would come up!
I'll tell you what surfing is NOT to me:
*Aggro attitudes, that's really silly.
*Image
*Judging people by the way they surf or what they ride...who cares?!?!
My favorite surfers are: Kelly Slater, Taj Burrow, Mick Fanning, Laird Hamilton, Taylor Knox, Layne Beachley, Rochelle Ballard, Lisa Andersen, Cory Lopez and Joel Tudor.
Surfing means a lot to me. There's no better feeling than being out there with good people around you having fun. There's no better sound than the sound of the waves, nothing more soothing!there's nothing a good day of surf can't cure!:) I've been out of the water for a while due a lot of stuff going on with my life...
This year has really sucked for me as far as surfing goes. I feel like my soul is lost somewhere...such is life I guess when you're going through crap...God I miss my friends back home, they always kept me going no matter what...it's hard to feel motivated around here, I need surfing buddies here I guess...they're truly hard to come by. I do miss the warmth of my country's ocean water, their waves and most of all its people!!!!
Goofing off on another wave after getting a good ride before, Lajas Panama.
Kelly Slater and I at Trestles Beach, California.
I miss my fave breaks in Panama a lot :( I used to go surfing with my friends in Las Lajas, Chiriqui all the time. Las Lajas is my homebreak; witness to many great times with my friends and it has wonderful waves...that beach holds many dear memories and in a way it's my confidant, it knows my secrets. I surfed there, smiled, laughed, loved and cried there as well. I hope that whenever the time comes for me to pass away, my ashes will be scattered there.
There are lots of places to go surfing in my province, Chiriqui as well as other provinces. The best beach is Santa Catalina in the Veraguas province, which has big waves and can be a little scary sometimes. Other beaches are Mariato inVeraguas; Santa Clara in Cocle, Venao' in Los Santos(nice waves!); Rio Mar, Coronado, El Palmar, Playa Teta and many more in Panama. The water temperature in Panama is in the 80s year round and you can find all kinds of breaks.
The best season is rainy which starts at around April until November. That's when there are good swells but you will be able to get some good waves during the dry season(mid-December through March).
Most places are easy to find but if you want to get to Santa Catalina I recommend you to rent a 4X4!There are also a lot of hard to find breaks and some are just waiting to be explored but I'm not going to give you too many details heh heh ;-)Panama surfers are very friendly so you will have a great time if you go there!If you're into scuba-diving there are lots of places where you can go and do so: Bocas del Toro, Portobelo and Isla Grande in Colon; I used to go snorkeling there and there's a spot where you can surf too. Next time I go back I'll try to get more pictures done...if I can stay out of the water for a bit ;-)
If you're a serious surfer and want to surf your brains out and are used to traveling and know that you won't find luxurious hotels at certain world class surf breaks then you won't be surprised when you go to Panama. Yes, there are nice hotels in the cities but don't expect to find them at all at the beaches, some do have hotels but not where you will find superb surf breaks!so be prepared!You will love surfing in Panama though!There is a new hotel in La Barqueta in the province of Chiriqui, good surf there too.
This was a surfing contest in La Barqueta Beach, in my beloved province of Chiriqui.
And this was a contest in Venao, province of Veraguas.
Secret Spot Panama ;)
Please remember if you do go to my country and want to have a great time surfing in the beaches, respect the locals, don't drop in on them, don't take their waves and do show respect for the environment as well. Lately some surfers from other countries have gone there and have been nasty to the locals. Don't piss the locals off, respect them and you will be respected!
I would like to point your way to Morro Negrito Surf Camp. Visit this site for more info, contact Steve and tell him that I sent you!Morro Negrito is located at one of the islands where he will take you surfing in my beloved province of Chiriqui.
Margo, panamenian surfer girl at Morro Negrito Chiriqui, Panama. Picture by Steve Thompson, camp owner.
Here's a picture of one of my fave surfers, Frieda Zamba,whom I had the pleasure of meeting in Isla Grande, Panama 1994. This picture was taken by Eddie who was an Army photojournalist at the time.
If you're into fishing then Panama is the best place, that's why one of the meanings of the word Panama is "abundance of fish". There are lots of Marlins, wahoos, snappers, tuna...the list is endless!
You can contact me through this form too(be polite please!)Be aware that your IP address is shown and can be easily tracked. Abusive language/behavior WILL be reported to your ISP. Include your email address so I won't forget to reply when I can.
