Panama Surf Photos, Panama Surf, Surf Photographer, Photography Surf

Bocas del Toro Surf Video

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 13:18:00 -0700

Bocas del Toro has always been one of my favorites. Its such a unique Geographical Location as the winds and currents hit sooo diferent. It has some high mountain ranges in the main land of the province, it rains differently than other regions and well the surf is always cleaner.

Island View from Thomas Brothers Productions on Vimeo.

Cebaco Island Panama desrves to be LIKED!

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 07:56:00 -0700

Ciudad de Panama 2013

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 07:34:00 -0800

Its been about 6 years since I started to shoot photos. Originally I believed photography was easy and was ment for people who liked to look cool, pick girls, etc. Once I started shooting was for other reasons; back therapy, swiming, mental therapy and its why I choose to do it in the water shooting surfers mostly. Eventually I realized there are tons of technical stuff that I am sure still have not learned. Last night I decided to go above, drink a few beers, relax, play with my cameras and see what came out. Sure, today I know there are better lenses, better cameras but wtf its just having fun.

¨Panama City¨.

Panama City is a incredible place full of resources; tons of money coming in from all sources for a few pockets and same do the waves only a few know how or where to find them when it gets croweded. For a lot of people its hard to believe, this is not Nicaragua nor Costa Ricas main city San Jose. Here you can smell concrete, you can party all night, do busiess and in less than a few hours be in a total different atmosphere than where you orginated. Best of all, you can feel free. Enjoy....

Canon 10-22 mm

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 06:43:00 -0800

Its been years, you were my first and might be my last. We have gone through love when we score, hate when you dont focus or I dont kick hard enough to be in the spot. We have held hands in the risky moments and have never abandoned each other. Even tho you are old, dirty and hanging from strings. I love you and know you love me back wide wide love!

Punta Barco Panama - Las del Recuerdo

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 08:09:00 -0800

This time it was no airshow, no profesional surf guru; it was simply Saturday; humm bit or rain; bit of back pain; bit of motivation to swim and kill the pain; who to call? the neighbor! ti tut tit tut (phone) ¨hello? Gabriel? Whats up! what are you up to? ohh ok; lets go to tits, what tits, yes tits... ok ok¨. So I drove for 2 min parked my car and switch with famous singer Mr. Gabriel de La Iglesias

So, This is what happened on 1 ft surf @ tits (las del recuerdo)

Mr. Silver

Wtf? templao

Diva tour with Juan Ashton

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Mon, 5 Nov 2012 10:21:00 -0800

It was a random night; my wife said ¨lets have some wine¨; sure we did drink beer and also ate some stake. As I get ready to go back home from the restaurant, Mr. Ramon ¨Raymond¨ Vallarino and Juan ¨DPC¨ Ashton pulls in, so I offered a seat for a quick chat. Somehow after that, a nice meal and a shot of Jagger, I ended up on a what´s called a diva surf tour with these two guys. Diva? don´t ask me, not sure what this is all about, but we sure were pampered by Mr Raymond the whole way; he is the best host you could ever wish on a surf trip. Mr Raymond would pull out goodies; had sunblock for everyone; drove his car like a champ and no complain, but a french fish. It might have been our lack of culture for culinary arts.

No plans were arranged; No GPS; No expectations; No mission, but going with the flow and having a good time. As we exit Panama´s patriotic holidays and nearby beaches we entered into a new dimension of random possibilities. Why do I say such a hypster line? because we were heading to a place only a true hypster can survive. There are minimal options for accommodations, 1 quarter inch pipe with mangrove water and over 100% possibilities to get 100 bsi (bites per square inch).

Yes, there were a few hypsters living there; girls, boys, kids, umbrellas, 100 other people and 1 pvc pipe with very little water. This looked like it would happen fo a few days ¨all for the true love of the sport and lifestyle¨. We lucked out on the first day and found shelter. For our good mental health, positivism and good flow we hit good food, good weather and a decent ocean view shack with more than one water sources and slight oceanviews.

Here are some shots. As usual; im not sure if I make sense, but I just write off top of my mind. Hope you guys enjoy;

Kid was celebrating national hollidays with Mr. Juan.

Shot with Samsung Galaxy by Raymond

French fish: Raymond Photos (Samsung Galaxy)

Mr. Raymond overlooking while sleeping (Holga lense + Cellphone)

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 18:44:00 -0700

Here is a great video about surfing Panama´s outer Islands. I own land right in front of this break and willing to sell to serious buyers only. Check this paradise out; dont believe in the script, there are no spirits or such thing, people just trying to keep the place a secret which I will not reveal unless you are serious enough to come take a trip to it.

Paraíso Zero from igor bellido on Vimeo.

Bodyboarding Panama with Fidel Ponce Surf Photographer

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 08:33:00 -0700

Its been 8 months since I moved into the bodyboarding town of the republic of Panama. You will not find a higher density bodyboarding population in Panama than Azuero. However, there are only a few units of bodyboarders that will actually pull some interesting moves. Mr. Rey Taranta and Vincent are a few of them, a full on dropknee and regular bodyboarder paradise with a a unique character.

Here is a quick video made on a recent trip

Punta Marfil - Panama Surf Spots

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Wed, 3 Aug 2011 10:22:00 -0700

Days go by, time ticks, trees grow and get dry. Non surf related thoughts passes from left lobe to right lobe all day long and a blurry vision of waves ¨rights and lefts¨ peel in front of my nose as I sip from my cup of tea. A little town called Ciruelo is where Punta Marfil lies. If you believe in lepricons and UFO´s this is the place to be or if you are a star reader. Pointing down south, next to the continental shelf you can find world class fishing spot Los Frailes and next to it this lonely peeling wave.

Playa Venao Panama

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Tue, 5 Jul 2011 15:04:00 -0700

In december 2010 I decided to move out to Playa Venao Panama with my wife. A foreign group of investors reached me and offered me to join their team.

The Peninsula de Azuero is located at 5 hours from Panama City, Curves, Hills, wet dry weather, regardless of its distance you can only feel that you are getting closer to something good. Green pasture fields, hills, rivers, great scenes surround the region and much more... The most interesting for a surfer will be its coastline. The Azuero peninsula has docens of surfbreaks for all levels and in this post I will show its most famous wave, Playa Venao or Bambi Beach.

Playa Venao held the World Cup of Surfing not too long ago but unfortunately I had to migrate into the city for business. While I was at the city doing business, uncle Bruce Boal from www.SurfersVillage.com was peninsula cattle dreaming in my house making company to my cats. Cheers uncle!

Im selling a piece of my heaven

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Fri, 1 Jul 2011 22:26:00 -0700

I have decided to sell a piece of what most of us will call heaven. Please take a look at this link if you though heaven did not have a price. http://surfheaven4sale.blogspot.com/

Surf Photography with Chris Culpen

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 12:51:00 -0800

Checking through my surf photography files I found out that I had some pictures that could be worth posting for fun. As a surf photographer I get to take so many pictures and since I don't have the much pressure rather than having fun, in most cases traveling takes 5 hours and by the time arrival is a reality you just don't want to see surf photos. The only thing you want to see is your woman and your bed. Here are some shots I just checked out from trip to close out point.

Fotos de Surf

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 10:24:00 -0800

Fotografo de Surf?

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 13:45:00 -0800

Fotógrafo de Surf Latino americano? Actualmente el sitio web esta fundido en el idioma Ingles. Por ende, un gran numero de visitantes piensan que soy "Gringo". Además, no solo por que hablo Ingles / escribo en Ingles sino por que no soy mestizo, moreno, albino ni culizo.

Mis raíces son Latinas, nací en Panamá y toda mi vida e vivido en la República de Panamá de Centro América. Para ser mas directo; La provincia de historia pirata y fuertes olas azules, Mar Caribe de Colon. Inclusive, mi educacion fue en una escuela llamada "Caribbean International School" quienes me educaron en Ingles pero diariamente pienso en Español, me expreso en Español y ocacionalmente durante el día a día me expreso en Ingles. Por que el Ingles? Debido a los factores influyentes a lo que me rodea, vivo dentro de un país altamente influenciado por "Los Gringos". Aquí un vídeo viejo y algo aburrido de "gringos en Panamá" gracias al U.S ARMY.

Cuando niño vivía a 1 km de la base gringa Fort Gulik; habian soldados de Puerto Rico y eran los únicos con los que podía comunicarme. Me cuestionaba; Sera que Puerto Rico es la misma vaina? Acaba de pasar la competencia del Rip Curl Puerto Rico y veo fotos de mi primo Saimon, personas, "amigos de amigos" entre ellos surfers de Puerto Rico Brian Toth y Dylan Graves. La pregunta sigue ahi; sera que estos manes hablan Español, Ingles o "Espanglish" todo el día? Estos manes tienen nombre de gringo pero son Puerto Riquenos? Obvio, los gringos pusieron pie ahí también pero la pregunta mas detallada es "cuanto es el porcentaje de personas que hablan Ingles, como y cuanto lo usan?".

NOMRBES EN BALANCE

La Balanza; Fidel Ponce (fotografo de surf Panameno) VS Dylan Graves (surfer Puerto Riqueno)

Brian Toth (Surfer Puerto Riqueno) VS Fidel Ponce (fotografo de surf Panameno)

El Balance: Fidle Pons (Panariquenio)? Daniel Grabe (Puertomenio)? Bernado Diente (Puertomenio)?

En Panamá / Puerto Rico se comparte mucho la música Regeton, culiqitraka, praka praka, perreo, haleo, sapateo y existen muchas similaridades entre historia pirata y paisajes de surf caribeño. Al final me sigo preguntando; sera que el gringo que maneja esta industria de surf realmente pondra a estos manes en algo? sera que siempre sera Gringo, Hawaiano o Australiano lo que estan en fama y fortuna? sera que Gilbert Brown (Latino con nombre de gringo) sera el proximo Hot Shot de Pipe?

Mas ENFOQUE

Fuera de todo explicacion y pendejada hay una razón por la cual me expreso en Español. Esta pagina no la uso mas que para experimentar demografia de la web, trafico, fotografía de surf, etc. Sigo buscando mas sobre el temita del surf y llego a la conclusión que este sitio es un sitio de surf, fotografía de surf y por eso escribo bastante sobre la fotografía de surf y el ser fotografo de surf. Pero hay algo q quiero exponerles Sres. Surfistas.

Luego de poner demaciada energía este año en la fotografía de surf, entrenar en piscinas olympicas, conectarme con revistas de Latinoamerica, de Estados Unidos, algunos iconos de surf por los cuales muchos "huelen peo de otros" me di cuenta que la industria de surf es corrupta, extremadamente pequeña y que el mundo se hace cada vez mas pequeño con esta otra paja del Internet. Que la informacion esta abierta de todos "persona o compania" en los buscadores google, yahoo, bing, baidu, facebook, twitter y ahora no quiero ni saber con mobil applications como Android. Osea, si eres un surfer perron, tu mujer pronto te estará buscando en Google Earth Mobil application, te localizara con coordenadas GPS y se te aparecerá en plena session de surf viéndole el trasero a la que hace duckdive en hilo al lado tuyo. Realizo que para el "Gringo Gringo" no "Gringo Panamenio" soy un Indio Latino, que carajo se yo y para los representantes del surf Latinoamericano soy "Un casi Gringo" siendo Indio.

Perdi mucho tiempo pensando que el surf "no era como las otras industrias" en las que e participado como Bienes Raíces, Turismo, Banca Privada, Importación Exportacion y estupideses de esas que son 100% corporativas y llenas de tiburones buscando a quien comerse. Panamá es un "Hub de Negocios" no es un "Hub de huele peos" y aquí se mueve mas dinero de lo que alguien puede imaginarse en otro país. Creanme, el ignorante es el primermundista corporativo, famoso y creído que piensa que Latinoamerica esta llena de casas de paja y Panama es un pais lleno de Banano. Al final son ellos los que tienen el "Banano" metido en trasero con todos esos impuestos, reportes de ingreso, costos para vivir, leyes, financiamientos no calificados que le sangraran el fundillo por el resto de la vida. Terminaran con un "Three way de bananos" pagando hasta el ultimo centavo a los accionistas de esas empresas de surf "dueñas y jefas" de las caras famosas de surf / marcas de surf quienes además son los dueños de la casa que alquilas y tambien de los bancos que te inflan el interes al prestarte dinero con el que pagas la renta. Al final negocio es negocio y el surf como negocio siempre sera "otro negocio".

Existen grandes tiburones, empresas gigantes que se comen a los pequeños, que te traban hasta que te salgan las pelotas por la garganta y mas aun a los surfistas que en muchas ocaciones no se dan cuenta que ya se los están trabando a fondo y dicen "Its all about the life style". Yo quiero ver el "life style" a largo plazo. Te sacas la madre surfeando, mamando cancer de piel, rompiendo huesos, viajando, fotografeando, fumando maricadas playeras, bebiendo en las rumbas, posiblemente cojiendo enfermedades sexuales y miles de otras porquerias. Cuanto puedes durar asi? Mientras tu te la sacas, el dueno de la empresa esta sentado en su Laptop, haciendo millones, programando su futuro a largo plazo y ademas un viaje con su esposa a un lugar de surf paradisiaco y privado. Todo gracias a ti "pro surfer".

Ustedes Pensaran; como este fotografo de surf puede decir eso? Si eres pro elite mundial y estas negociando tu contrato anual; creeme, te quieren exprimir, sacar lo mas que puedan de ti y hacer la mayor publicidad con tu imagen para ellos ganarse realmente el dinero. Por que no revolucionar y sacarsela a ellos? Te sacas la madre en Pipeline, Teahopoo, Indo constantemente o te la sacan en Pipeline en la arena? Por que fuistes a Pipeline tanto? Para hacer plata, fama vivir del surf no?

Existe un gran ingreso billonario a estas empresas lideres del surf, jefas de los jefes o padrinos del surf. Cuando digo billonario es por que Miles de Millones de dolares anuales ingresan en ganacia, cuantos millones te pagaron a ti como elite pro surfer este anio? si claro el campeon del mundo le diero "UN MILLON" pero cuantos campeones hay? cuantos son todos los surfers elite, que no son solo "44"? si fueran 440 aun solo fuera un campeon y no fueran 440 millones o 440 cuentas bancarias de surfistas millonarios. Si buscan se daran cuenta que; La ropa, sandalias, zapatillas mas vendida del mundo son de surf y no baseball ni de cricket. Ademas son companias grandes que son duenas de todas las marcas juntas y baseball paga contratos de hasta 30 millones por anio a sus jugadores que son mas de 5 gatos. Futbol paga igual y quien sabe otros deportes menos arriesgados pagan mas que el surf! Saquense el dedo y comienzen a cobrar mas! La plata no es todo en esta vida pero si la estan buscando ahi es mejor que empiesen a buscar mas a fondo. A este punto me mantengo como fotografo de surf pero no por dinero sino por placer y salud, me despido del surf coporativo, con un organigarma de la industria y como al final de la balanza el surfer es una hormiga.

Clark Little

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 14:53:00 -0700

It was not too long ago that I first heard about a guy named Clark Little. His name popped out from viral massages on e mail addresses that were non related to surfing. As a search engine expert and web developer I noticed that Mr. Little knew what he was doing. Regardless of his fearless photography I can take off my hat for his marketing strategies. Clark little is know around here for his shore break surf photography of empty waves. In this video you will be able to see how this is done and how much shi@it you can take from getting tons of water on dry sand. Following this video there is another youtube vid where you will see where everything started... Keep em coming Clark!

Diego Salgado

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 16:36:00 -0700

DIEGO SALGADO has been around Panama for quite some time. His talent speaks more than his mouth when it comes down to surfing and rather give evidence of expression sessions without articulating verbally. His articulation is based on skeleton movements while keeping afloat on a surfboard. Back in the day, his father came to Panama from Brazil and started surfing the famous Santa Catalina. Falling in love with Catalina made him buy property which makes this world class wave be Diego's frontyard and main training center. I cant remember when I met this guy but its been about 10 years now, great times surfing and partying during my college years. To close I will say he is one of the most talented surfers in this region and despite him being good or making a living of the surfing industry he will not say a word about surf or anything at all. Keep letting the surf peak for its self and enjoy the ride!

Intellectural Property Rights

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 15:51:00 -0700

AROC: intellectual property firm invites you to a Property Right Forum on Oct 21 of 2010.
Points: how to manage ideas, protect them, commercialize them.

Location: City of Knowledge Building 184 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

If you are anyone has problems with intellectual property call AROC they work internationally as well.

FIBERGLASS AND MEGAPIXELS VIDEO ABOUT SURF PHOTOGRAPHERS

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 16:15:00 -0700

This is an unusual video about surf photography. Its a great way to explain what watershot photographer techniques.

Surf Photographers Facebook Group - Get Featured!

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 20:32:00 -0700

I have made a surf photographer's group for any photographer who would like to add surf photos! Get Featured! Photos will be selected and posted with the photographer's name.

The life of a Surf Photographer

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:39:00 -0700

Porsche Panamera Test - Surfing vs Porsching

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Tue, 3 Aug 2010 18:31:00 -0700

After some months of being away from this blog, I have to thank my readers once more for taking time to read raw and misspelled words. This story starts when a random call from the car brand "Porsche" decides to put me in charge of coordinating spots to shoot the new "Porsche Panamera" in my native territory.

Note: What you are about to read, might not make sense. If it does, thank the good of "sense".

According to Wikipedia:

A person who exhibits a "superficial" comprehension of some or many subjects may be negatively attributed as being shallow, materialistic, and even exhibiting false emotions through an exaggerated affect display. Occasionally they may be pseudo-intellectual.
In terms of emotion, superficial is used in a number of ways to refer principally to a display of emotion which is not necessarily genuine. For example, to display 'superficial charm' refers to someone who externally appears genuine and charming yet is intentionally appearing so, perhaps for personal gain.

After a recent superficial experience and sour taste of the surf industry, German Top Photographer Frank Ornel walks in the Porsche conference room and starts expressing him self about our photographic mission.

"We wanted to shoot the Panamera Porsche in Panama"

Is this man Superficial? I doubt it...

It is important to mention that Frank and the crew are from STUTTGART, Germany. It seems to be a place where people eat, drink and smell cars all day. My type of place...

After presenting samples of his work, exposing kind words of photographic wisdom and a reconfirmation of our mission, we were now clear that we "must" apply teoretical and practical fun about shooting the Panamera in a different way; represent people, represent non traditional car shots and most important represent knowledge of what hell we were doing. To me, that was not the direct answer to my mission, I was not meant to be shooting, I was meant to be driving and picking places to shoot a "car". It was now the first time I ever thought about my main bread and butter "Tourism vs photography" and "Photography vs Watershots".

Within the first hours of driving the 450 hp vehicle , I was now heading towards the Atlantic Coast with Oliver. Frank and Coco were in another car following and shooting from outside the Panamera. The lessons starts here and finishes 4 days later after a serious, fun and fulfilling photographic experience.

LESSONS LEARNED;

Frank Orel Lesson:

- There is always something good to shoot even with bad rainy days.
- Dont ever be to optimistic, there might be another train at the end of the tunnel.
- I am the sunshine of my life
- A point and shoot camera is not a bad camera, its just different "is not the arrow, is the indian".
- Remember "the good times"
- You can always use a Model Car to shoot interesting backgrounds.
- While Panama's City River flows with human waste, Stuttgart River's flow with mayor car brands (Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, etc)

Coco:

- Dont care much about the exposure diagram, use your eye, you like it? you keep it!
- What doesnt work, throw away!
- Without words: Get Photoshop, its worth it!

Oliver:

- Everyone wants to be in the picture, even when they say they dont!
- Cleaning a DSLR sensor is not that difficult as it seems

Elmar:

- Without words: Always take a pocket note pad and write your thoughts if you want to be a wirtter. "This blog is not the case, im so sure I learned way much more, just cant remember".

The Team Lesson:

- Drinking a few beers and then coffee can be a good mix.
- Shooting a story of car takes more than one photographer to do it with intensity.

After driving a couple thousand kilometers, stopping at nice backgrounds, shooting in illegal spots, driving within a correct distance related to Frank's second car speed, Coco's interior lense, Oliver's exterior Lense and Elmer writting about it; I was able to now try my own shots and experiment some of the mind opening experience...

Here are a few samples of 3 different cameras used in few moments I was able to get out of the car;

Shots with a Istant Film Camera (Fishe Eye Modification)

Frank M. Orel (Right) http://www.fotostudio-orel.de/

Shots with a Canon 40 D - 10-22 mm and 50 mm lenses

Oliver Kronening (http://www.oliverkroening.de)

Canon Power Shot with "glued" Sony Wide Angle Lense for Video Camera

The Written Plan

Great Editor - Coco and Writter - Elmer

Next Step for the German Team "NEW YORK"

I got to share some real quality time shooting with veterans or "RENTNERS" as Frank M. Orel, Elmar Brummer, "Coco" and Oliver Kroning.

Nick Rosza in Panama

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Mon, 17 May 2010 16:59:00 -0700

After a few days of shooting REEF guys showing off a new collection of boardshorts while walking in the bushes, I got to escape with Nick Rosza to a little dry wedgie fun right hander. These words can be misunderstood but f@ck it, this is what I am talking about!

Quick Trip with Dion Agius, Chippa Wilson, Dillon Perillo and Jimmy from Surfing Magazine

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Mon, 17 May 2010 12:59:00 -0700

It was a regular day like to today "start with coffee, then e mails, phone calls, then list of errands to execute, etc" when the phone rings and I hear; P11! there are a few rippers being imported from Kangaroo Land and we need your help with transportation and water shots. Since lately I've been figuring out the balance in between priorities "a real money making project VS fun watershots" it was hard to decide. Somehow, I ended up going for a day... it was my home town so why not show them whatzzup, right?.

At last minute I jumped into the micro bus that Diego (National Champ), Bolivar Andres and every one else were on. Introduced my self the Panamanian way "LATE and LAST" to the small group of surfers "Chippa, Dion, Dillon, Jimmy, Aussie friend and Assie Video Kid = rare version of karate kid from Australia". Then gave them a quick over view of Panama City and the ways things operate as we head into the bushes of the Pirate Smelling Altantic Ocean. Waves were not that good and the day was gray like my brain matter. Furthermore, there was a tiny bit of current that made me think about pregnant birds while these rippers busted some aerials. In the end, the image of pregnant birds, the bit of current and gray day did not allow me to shoot the way I wanted. I might've needed more than 3 hours or maybe 2 cans of red bull but we must also consider that I was / currently suffering from bronchitis and a sinus infection that made me weak / lacking of Oxigen. Coughing sounds were making these units wonder what the f@ck was wrong with this white Indian...

On the way back we got harrased by a group of military corrupt cops, but since Its not my first time, the way out went smooth. Im sure that it would have cost some time and effort ($$$) for any lonely foreigner on that one. The trip was relaxing... I am back doing the calls, following up on the mails and fixing my lungs. Soon Panama will have the ISA World Master Championship and I need to be fixed by then... Cheers and good day.

Here are a few shots of the trip;

Cancer to Capricorn - Paul Fisher Ad

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Sun, 16 May 2010 12:07:00 -0700

Here is the result of a healthy lentil diet. Paul Fisher @ my home town (Colon) showing a healthy move.

Bolivar Andres

noreply@blogger.com (p11) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:44:00 -0700

Bolivar Andres: Not your typical person, surfer and seaman but something we can informally call the "KID FROM THE SEA".

Wikipedia: A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of all vessels, and whatever their mode of locomotion is.

It was around 10 years ago when I still lived in a "Ghetto Ass" area know as Colon Shitty and wondered around the bushes looking for people to hang out with. Was a tough place, considering Colon has about 200,000 people of which 90% are fully non educated and living in extreme poor conditions. It was hard to feel too comfortable when kids were mostly interested on stealing, smoking crack, cocaine, guns, gangs, playing basketball and the ocean had a negative mythological meaning of death in their lives. Related to being Liberia or an Apocalyptic Hell...

For P11 (me) it was like being a red blood cell trying to become a white blood cell and execute as an antibody. Not sure what this means, but the point is, I lived somewhere "I could not relate to most people within their cultural activities". Anyways, due to the influence of the American culture around where I lived, I started speaking English, riding BMX and surfing. Back then, there were only about 4 surfers in the whole city after the Americans left Panama (2000). Besides from that, most of these 4 surfers did not lived as close to the funnest spot (ISLA GRANDE) as Nino del Mar and I did.

Around the year 2000, I was starting to experience the sport of surfing and was ignorant to many hazards, specially the unstable Atlantic Ocean. Little situations like, the first time you get trapped in a strong current going "I will change my name to Gilligan", cutting your self for the first time with sharp reef going "Fuc@ing Shampoo Hurts!", getting your board pulled out in a micro second by a heavy set going "You suck Cris Angel!" and being in the ocean under a storm with nothing around going "I am not scared but I could be". All of this while heavy 8 footers close out at a few feet from you. Once those things happen repetitively, you tell your self "hum, I think I should find a surf buddy to at least witness this". So, I did, Bolivar Andres was my new buddy to surf the lonely waves of Isla Grande.

Bolivar Andres was just a little chubby kid holding his rotten 1980's waterlogged SPECTRUM surfboard with a rotten white brown color. This is what I call a classic tool for most sailors (old rotten board) waiting for someone to surf with. El "nino del mar" was right on the spot and he recognized it. As soon as he had a chance, Bolivar could be seen trying the cutbacks, snaps and regardless of his weight he had a good flow. His dad brought Bolivar on a sailboat from Chile and decided to stay on the Atlantic Coast of Panama . Every time I went to this spot, I would see a short shirtless wrinkled over tanned guy selling handcraft on the pretty much lonely town of Isla Grande (Bolivar's dad) and Bolivar wondering in circles like a cat around the Island.

Now days, Bolivar or "Nino del Mar" has proven knowledge as an experienced sailor and surfer. I can say with confidence he understands the ocean, vessels and boards more than he understands society and public relations. After all, what is most important, knowing your self or others, right? Deep in the core, Bolivar is a good hearted person with a lot of skills who is now sponsored by mayor brands like Reef and Byrne Surfboards. I manage and own a website with about 80 vessels (www.PanamaCruise.com.pa) and among the list of captains Bolivar has proven to be the most knowledgeable and responsible among them. What could you not know about navigation when you were almost born and fully raised inside a floating vessel? While most captains were raised on the main land, later taken to a boat for proving grounds, the psychological transition drives them NUTS and while they drink large amounts of alcohol and starts seeing topless mermaids, Bolivar surfs and looks at his beautiful girlfriend who charges with him...

BOLIVAR ANDRES INTERVIEW

PSP: Where are you from Earth or Extraterrestral?

B: mars i think

PSP: When did you start surfing and why?

B: 98 wit my family

PSP: What was your first surf board like?

B: super retro and ugly

PSP: If there was something about your first board that you would like to put on your latest what would it be?

B: nothing haha

PSP: I know you were almost born an a sailboat, tell us a little about how you ended up living in a sailboat, how big was the boat and for how many years?

B: 30 ft and i live on board like 15 years really cool times

PSP: what was it like when you needed to use the bathroom on stormy days? did you just go overboard for n1? what about n2 at AM?

B: hahahha was not fun

PSP: what is the relationship between being a sailor and surfing? do you think it helps you at a competetive level?

B: i daunt compete so i daunt now butt is like a bigger surfboard

PSP: Out of all places and people in the world, you got to throw a private party at your house "in the bushes" with legends like Rob Machado, Mick Fanning, Lossness and others, what are your first thoughts to those memories and what do you think it meant in your life?

B: hell off a party butt just people like you and me

PSP: If there were things you would change about your personality what would it be?

B: be cooler like coolio hahah

PSP: If there were things you would need to change about your surfing what would it be?

B: you all ways have to improve and change

PSP: Boxers or briefs?

B: boxers

PSP: Do you think there is a relationship between someone's personality and its surfing style?

B: not at all

PSP: Do you practice any type of training, diets or supplements to improve your surfing?

B: yoga at the bocas yoga studio

PSP: Do you believe a good sexual intercouse would be beneficial before contest?
B: no you be so tired

PSP: We recently got to share a session with Nick Rosza, the guy completed reverse airs on 2 ft waves and 1 ft of depth on mellow reef, do you think he sold his soul to the devil ?

B: yes

PSP: Giving Nick the authority to be one of the best aerial performers out there what was the highlighted lesson of that session?

B: go just go

PSP: If you wanted to ask GOD a mystery in life, what would that be?

B: wen do i get rich ? nah so many things to ask well do you relly exist ?

PSP: what are your honest thoughts about my RAW blog on surf photos? do you think I should sell out, put advertizing and worrying about the words I use and how I write?

B: HELL NO

PSP: Is there a message you want to leave the readers of PanamaSurfPhotos.org?

B: smile :)

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