THE TEAM
PROFESSIONAL SURF COACHES & YOGA TEACHERS
Surf Coaches
In addition to being ISA certified, we proudly have local surf coaches on our team who are also competitive professional surfers. Including the 2019 National Panama champ, Kelvin Gonzalez, and the previous 4 x National champ, Jean Carlos (Oli) Camarena. Oli placed 2nd in the ISA World Surfing Games in 2018 and 2nd in the Pan American Surfing Games in 2022.
At Waluaa not only are you learning to surf with passionate and professional surf coaches, you are helping to support these talented local surfers on their journey too.
Each Waluaa surf coach brings over 10 years of experience surfing in Santa Catalina.
Kelvin Gonzalez
ISA CERTIFIED COACH & PRO SURFER
From Santa Catalina, Panama
Current National Panama Champion
ISA World Surfing Games 2019 - Panama Representative
Bilingual: Spanish, English
Jean Carlos (Oli) Camarena
ISA CERTIFIED COACH & PRO SURFER
From Santa Catalina, Panama
4 x National Panama Champion
Placed 2nd at the ISA World Surfing Games 2018 & 2nd at the Pan American Surfing Games 2022
Bilingual: Spanish, English
Neftalí (Casey) Caceres
ISA CERTIFIED SURF COACH
From Santa Catalina, Panama
Brevet D'initiateur fédéral de surf (BIF SURF) France
Trilingual: Spanish, English & French
Sergio Bryksa
ISA CERTIFIED SURF COACh LeVEL 2
From Zapiola, Buenos Aires State, Argentina
Waluaa Co-Founder & Surf Director
Bilingual: Spanish, English
Yoga Teachers
Meet our team of experienced, Yoga Alliance certified teachers. Each of our yoga teachers promises to take you on a journey inward, support you in finding the presence and awareness that will enhance your surf practice, and instill you with tools and techniques that will enhance your quality of life, on and off the mat.
Our yoga teachers are seasoned team members of the Waluaa family. We promise to serve you with teachers who bring a wealth of experience in yoga, meditation and mindfulness.
Each of our Waluaa Yoga Instructors brings over 10 years of yoga experience.
Candace Glass
YOGA ALLIANCE CERTIFIED TEACHER
From Tucson, USA
500HR ERYT Vinyasa & Hatha
Yoga Teacher Trainer
Mindfulness & Meditation Facilitator
Certified Life Coach
Reiki Master
Prenatal Yoga, Children’s Yoga
Founder of Elephant Power: Mindfulness & Yoga for Kids
Michelle Barge
YOGA ALLIANCE CERTIFIED TEACHER
From Miami, USA
500HR RYT Hatha, Iyengar, Vinyasa
50HR Corporate Yoga & Meditation
50HR Children’s Yoga & Mindfulness
Bodymind Ball Work
Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher
Evasion
YOGA ALLIANCE CERTIFIED TEACHER
From Catalonia, Spain
200HR RYT Satyananda Tradition
300HR RYT Advanced YogaWorks
50HR RYT Laughter Yoga
ThaiYoga Bodywork Teacher & Practitioner
Gayle Worth
YOGA ALLIANCE CERTIFIED TEACHER
From California, USA
200HR RYT Power Yoga
50HR Yoga Nidra
Meditation & Mindfulness Facilitator
Elena Fairall
YOGA ALLIANCE CERTIFIED TEACHER
From Oregon, USA
200HR RYT Ashtanga/ Vinyasa
176HR NCBTMB Traditional Thai Massage Practitioner
30HR Thai Yoga Massage
Vickie Mogensen
YOGA ALLIANCE CERTIFIED TEACHER
From Sydney, Australia
200HR RYT Vinyasa
50HR Katonah Yoga
Vedic Meditation
Waluaa Co-Founder & Yoga Director
Our Waluaa Promise & Purpose
When we started this company we were living busy and hectic lives tethered to our devices and missing nature. Rarely did we have a moment to embrace a slower more intentional pace of life that we craved. We were determined to create a healthy lifestyle company that would give people like us a chance to slow down, get back to nature, and to find balance.
So in 2015 we curated an all-inclusive surf and yoga retreat in a dreamy, far away surf town in Santa Catalina, Panama. It’s paradise on earth. Santa Catalina’s allure is uncrowded beaches and consistent surf, where slow living is part of everyday life and safety is in the DNA of the town and the country.
Our retreats are accessible and welcoming to all. We provide top-level surf and yoga instruction tailored towards complete beginner to intermediate. Our goal is to have each and every guest feel welcomed, at ease, and cared for every step of the way.
Our business also serves to support the community and help it prosper. We partner with local services and talent to bring our guests an authentic experience while giving back and embracing the town we love so much.
With the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, healthy locally sourced meals, and the vastness and raw natural beauty that only Santa Catalina can offer, our goal is that our guests feel relaxed, balanced, healthy, happy and one with nature. We can’t wait to welcome you to Waluaa.
Vickie & Sergio