My teacher, Shiva Rea, introduced me to surfing during one of her Prana Flow yoga teacher trainings. She was talking about the correlation between yoga and surfing and the concept “go with the flow.” This week retreat of yoga and surfing is a subtle (for some it’s a “slap you upside the head”) exploration within the adventures of your life. You arrive with an idea of a week vacation of yoga and surfing, then leave with often an unexpected realization of empowerment.

Prana is the life force, the energy and tied with it the vibe, the essence of our being. Ideally we want this energy to flow fluidly so we move with ease and lightness and even when we are still, we are peaceful and relaxed.

Yoga means to yoke, to join, to connect. Whether in your practice you simply connect your mind with your body, your breath with your movement or at a deeper sense connect with God, the Divine, whatever higher power you believe, this connection brings an awareness to your life.

So we practice on the yoga mat and notice how we react, respond to all the different and sometimes crazy positions we get ourselves into and how we get out of them. We notice our breath and if it remains calm or if it becomes erratic. What it takes to flow from one position to another. What it feels like to be upside down, rightside up and all twisted and bound.

And we practice on the board. Paddling out into the waves, a roll or duck dive to get through the wave and how we feel when we often get pushed back towards shore. The feeling of finally getting out there only then to wait, to catch that perfect wave and ride in. And just when you think you have that perfect wave, you’re going with the flow, connecting with the water, the mind and or the ego slips and the next thing you know you lost your focus and are being tossed around in the washing machine. Here again is the time to “go with the flow” because if you fight the wave and panic all your energy will be consumed. Let go and roll with the wave.

Each day will be a different theme based on what we’ve experienced. With prana flow yoga, your individual needs will be addressed as you may feel energized to flow through an Ashtanga based power class or you may need to recover and rest with a restorative class. Each class will end with relaxation and meditation.

This Yoga & Surfing retreat is open to everyone who knows how to swim, how to breathe and has an open mind. No yoga experience and no surfing experience are necessary. This week can be used for one needing to escape and clear their head from life at home, for one needing a new fitness training routine, for one in transition or for one simply wanting the experience. You get what you need from it. And often it is more than what you expect. But come without expectations and simply go with the flow. Pura Vida! In the end it’s all good!

Don’t miss this great experience from May 4 to 11th. Book Now!

Yoga Surf Camp Packages

The Yoga and Beginner / Intermediate Surf Package includes:

• Airport transfers from the San Jose airport
• Five surf lessons led by our nationally ranked staff
• Usually 2-3 hours for any age or experience level as long as you can swim. Includes board rental, leash during lesson time. Instruction in pool, on beach and in water.
• Photos on disc to remember the fun!
• Daily yoga and meditation.
• Afternoon Fun & Leisure: reading, water aerobics, hammock napping as well as extra fun (additional charge): canopy tours, horseback riding, mountain biking, massage, taxi to Jaco for lunch, shopping, Internet café, etc.
• Full Costa Rican breakfast & dinner daily.
• Explore one of Costa Rica’s beautiful national parks with Vista Guapa’s naturalist guide.
• Air-conditioned accommodations with a hammock and ocean view.

About the instructor

Deanna Black was inspired by the movies Flashdance and Perfect in the 80′s which started her career as an aerobic instructor. She has studied and continues to study anatomy, exercise physiology and psychology and works as a holistic fitness trainer in a variety of settings. “I want to gain as much experience in as many different ways so I can motivate you efficiently and effectively.” After teaching a stretching class at Club Med in 1990, a student commented on what a nice yoga class that was. That began Deanna’s formal studying of what she had already been teaching.
Deanna’s yoga class taps into the physical body and finding ways to move, stretch, strengthen and release. Then she will have you observe your thoughts, breath, feelings and energy; she will ask to be in the moment and simply pay attention. Yoga means to yoke, to join, to connect. In Deanna’s class you decide what you need to connect with: your body, your mind, your breath, the Divine. It’s whatever YOU need.
With 26 years of teaching experience, Deanna is able to teach a group class yet have it meet each individual’s needs… It is not about synchronized yoga. Be prepared for the unexpected: a martial arts kick, a dance move, or maybe simulate ‘Paddle! Paddle! Paddle! UP!’ Then notice how you respond or react. Hopefully what you learn on your yoga mat, you can apply off the mat. Breathe, be empowered and realize your potential!

Book your Package Now!

Pura Vida
Marko’

Sponsors for OceanFIT : YOLO Board, Bomber Eyewear CR, Stoke Radio, GoPro, CrossSUP, Chucks Wow Surf, Calavera

Pictures

Vista Guapa is unique in that it truly offers a taste of authentic Costa Rican culture and the Pura Vida lifestyle. We strive for a family feel and limit camp participation so that you receive a personalized experience and make lasting relationships with the people you meet during your stay. Our hillside property offers a tropical oasis with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and modern, air-conditioned bungalows complete with hammocks for relaxing after your surf session or morning workout. Our awesome board sponsor, YOLO Board (www.yoloboard.com), has provided us with the latest board models and equipment, and all that’s missing is you!

The Ocean Fit YOLO Experience includes:

• 6 nights Double Occupancy from February 9th (Saturday) to February 15th (Friday)
• Airport Transfers from San Jose
• Breakfast and Lunches at Camp
• Dinners at Local Restaurants
• Family-Style BBQ Night at Camp (one evening)
• SUP Sessions Twice Daily (as tide and weather permit)
• SUP Paddle Stroke Analysis and Instruction
• Equipment Use
• Water/Juice and Fruit after Surf Sessions
• Daily workouts planned at Camp and Beach
• Sunrise Yoga Sessions
• National Park Trip, Waterfall Trip, and/or Sunset Trip to Villa Calletas
• Ocean Fit Souvenirs: Custom Rash Guard, Camp Trucker Hat and other branded goodies

Vista Guapa Property Features: Tranquil five acre tropical oasis with three air-conditioned guest bungalows, each featuring two rooms with private bathrooms and decks with hammocks and views of the Pacific, a main house for group gatherings, a swimming pool and two open air Yoga pavilions.

Pricing for the Ocean Fit YOLO Experience is $1,575 per person for double occupancy with additional nights available on a pro-rated basis. For reservations, email markosalvetti@gmail.com or call 985-966-7978.

Book your Package Now!

Here at Vista Guapa Surf Camp, our team is so excited about the next YOLO SUP Experience with Darian Boyle at our resort vacation surf camp in beautiful Jaco, Costa Rica. Darian will lead camp participants in standup paddleboard (SUP) sessions and excursions during the week-long adventure.

This exclusive camp is co-sponsored by YOLO Board and Calavera, and is limited to 12 participants and includes SUP instruction and equipment use, accommodations, twice daily meals and airport transportation.

About Darian

Darian enjoying her stay at Vista Guapa

New Jersey native Boyle is a lifelong surfer and former World Champion skier, considered a pioneer in woman’s freeskiing-extreme skiing. Now she’s an Elite Team Rider for YOLO Board, and travels the country competing in many WPA sanctioned SUP races. She has a dynamic personality, and also works as a television host and sports reporter, and serves as President of Typhoon Boat Works, a custom boat building company.

“We have an incredible agenda planned and much fun in store for December’s YOLO SUP Experience participants,” said Darien. “Vista Guapa offers such a unique and intimate experience of Costa Rica and we have a brand new shipment of the latest YOLO Board models ready for testing. Attendance is limited to ensure a customized experience based on individual SUP goals, and we guarantee that you’ll leave Vista Guapa with new friends and fantastic memories.”

About the Surf Camp

Vista Guapa is co-owned and operated by Costa Rican native Alvaro Solano Delgado, a seven-time national surfing champion and one-time masters champion. Our guests receive service and instruction from a small staff of local, experienced SUP and surf experts while staying in hillside bungalows overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The YOLO Experience Camp is appropriate for novice or expert standup paddleboarders as personalized instruction will be offered to each camper.

About Calavera

YOLO SUP Experience Camp Co-sponsor Calavera’s founder Anna Jerstrom has her own personal connection to Vista Guapa. A former investment banker, she moved to Costa Rica in 2009 after vacationing at the camp to train with Alvaro every day for over a year to master the art of surfing. Inspired by her new sport, Anna founded Calavera, a performance swimwear brand for women in 2010.

“If I hadn’t decided on a whim late one night in 2008 to go to Vista Guapa, I would still be an investment banker, locked away in an office in some stuffy big city longing to find something to light my fire,” explains Anna. “Instead, Alvaro showed me what it was like to dance on water and my life changed. Vista Guapa is an amazing oasis where you can go to quench your thirst for happiness, serenity and contentment and the only thing you have to worry about is how to tell your boss that you will not be coming back to work as planned. Many places make the claim that you will never want to leave – but in the case of Vista Guapa, I am living proof that it is true!”

How to join this adventure

For reservations, please email info@vistaguapa.com or call +1-409-599-1828 for a US Reservations Specialist or +506-2643-2830 to reach the camp directly. Stay in touch with all camp happenings by following www.facebook.com/vistaguapa.

Jaco, Costa Rica. (August 8th, 2012) – Vista Guapa Surf Camp, a complete surf-inspired resort vacation camp in beloved Jaco, Costa Rica continues to offer guests the opportunity to experience the world’s fastest growing watersport, standup paddleboarding (SUP) while staying at tranquil and rejuvenating hillside accommodations. SUP is well-known for its versatility, ease of learning and adaptability among both ages and skill levels. Located on the breathtaking pacific coast of Costa Rica, Vista Guapa offers vacation packages customizable to anything from aspiring to expert surfers traveling solo, with friends or as a family retreat.

Co-owned and operated by Costa Rican native Alvaro Solano Delgado, a seven-time national surfing champion and one-time masters champion, Vista Guapa features instruction by Solano as well as a small staff of local, experienced surf and SUP experts. In addition to surfing, a typical stay at Vista Guapa includes transportation to and from the San Jose International Airport, breakfast and dinner each day, an excursion to one of Costa Rica’s national parks or similar cultural activity, and beautiful, air-conditioned accommodations in a bungalow overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Vista Guapa recently celebrated its 10th Anniversary, marking a decade of introducing guests to surf, sun and the Costa Rican lifestyle of “Pura Vida”, or enjoying life to the fullest.

“Vista Guapa truly offers a unique, insider’s experience of the culture of Costa Rica,” explains Mark Salvetti, a frequent visitor of Vista Guapa. “A family-run operation, guests are immediately immersed in the local lifestyle and treated as if they are part of the family while either being introduced to surf and SUP or receiving advanced tips from one of the country’s top professionals. A true escape from the daily grind, a stay at Vista Guapa is a life-changing adventure.” Salvetti has been making annual trips to the camp since his first visit in 2005.

Vista Guapa recently received a new shipment of the latest SUP surf models from US-based standup paddleboard manufacturer and partner YOLO Board (www.yoloboard.com) allowing it to expand the camp’s SUP offerings with top-of-the-line equipment. In addition to regular SUP/Surf packages, special YOLO Experience Camps are offered seasonally and guided by Salvetti along with members of the YOLO Board team. All camps are limited to 15 participants to allow for an intimate, personalized vacation.

“YOLO Board is honored to be a partner of Vista Guapa because we believe in what Alvaro is offering,” added Jeff Archer, co-founder of YOLO Board. “Alvaro’s extensive knowledge of Costa Rica waters is such an advantage to guests as he is able to pinpoint the perfect surf spot for each trip based on participants’ skill levels and goals. Wendy and the rest of the staff right down to the friendly camp dogs make each trip to Vista Guapa warm and refreshing for the soul.”

Noted Big Wave Surfer and pioneer of SUP surfing Dave Kalama hosted one of his famous Kalama Kamps (www.kalamakamp.com) at Vista Guapa in April 2011, and he praises the camp’s concept.

“When we offer Kalama Kamps, we like to partner with someone that’s got a lot of foundation in their area. Alvaro and Vista Guapa are very established in Costa Rica,” said Kalama. “They know the lay of the land, they know the surf spots very well, they know the spots to stay away from so that the experience we can have is a very positive one.”

Along with SUP and Surf packages, Vista Guapa also offers Surf and Mountain Biking adventures during Costa Rica’s dry season and Yoga retreats. The resort’s tropical five acre hillside location is private and sheltered offering a peaceful retreat with sweeping, unobstructed ocean views yet only minutes from the action of Jaco. The facilities include three air-conditioned guest bungalows, each featuring two rooms with private bathrooms and decks with hammocks and views of the Pacific, a main house for group gatherings, a swimming pool and two open air Yoga pavilions.

Upcoming SUP/Surf featured camps are slated for December 9th-15th, 2012 and February 9th-16th, 2013. To reserve your spot or to learn more about the Vista Guapa Surf Camp experience, please visit www.vistaguapa.com or stay tuned to www.facebook.com/vistaguapa.

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If you have not seen the photos yet from Wendy of the Surfing, they are exceptional. Wendy was on the beach most days snapping off over 2,000 photos for the week, nice work Wendy! The entire group would like to thank Wendy, Alvaro, David, Jan, Titi and the entire Vista Guapa team for such a great week. There is talk of this group trying to put together a “Reunion Tour” next year…same time…How is that for Pura Vida..!

Pictures

Mark has plans to lead another group in mid December, if you are interested you can email him at markosalvetti@gmail.com, or info@vistaguapa.com and you will get a prompt reply. These group trips offer guest a chance to spend time at the camp with other guests wishing a similar surfing and SUP experience as well as get additional paddle instruction and water time with Alvaro and Mark.

Solo Se Vive Una Vez……..You Only Live Once

The event starts this Saturday May 19th and continue on Sunday 20th, so let’s send him good vibes for him to have a great performance!

Dominical is known for the strong waves and this weekend waves are expected to be between 5 and 6 ft in height.

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Come join Mark Salvetti and the YOLO Board team on this awesome adventure, that will let you learn how to SUP and/or improve your skills on a Paddle Board.Reserve from May 27 to june 03, for a week of sun, waves and lots of SUP!

This camp includes:

• Air conditioned accommodations.
• All the meals.
• All the SUP lessons and activities including the equipment rental.
• A day of rest mid-week with trip to a National Park.
• Transportation from and to the airport, and to each spot.

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You just need to arrange air transportation into San Jose, Costa Rica!

This camp is limited to 12 people to assure the most personalized, intimate SUP experience possible. If you have any questions or would like to sign up, please contact Mark at markosalvetti@gmail.com

Video

Pictures

Check out some pictures from our last Yolo Experience!



About Mark:


Mark Salvetti is a longtime friend of Vista Guapa, he first came to the camp in 2005 after seeing the camp article in Outside Magazine.

Mark was instrumental in bringing Standup Paddling to Vista Guapa, and with that Vista Guapa was the first commercial Surf Camp in Costa Rica to offer Standup Paddling.

He was also a key piece in bringing and helping produce the first ever Dave Kalama Camp to Vista Guapa. Having Dave Kalama join us to produce his famous brand of SUP fitness and paddle technique was a great experience for the camp and everyone involved.

Mark furthered his experience with his Standup Fitness Certification from Brody Welte in Florida Last Summer, this is the first ACE Certification for Standup Fitness in the Country.
Now Mark offers trips to Vista Guapa to expose experienced SUP Surfer as well as beginners to the beautiful waters surrounding the Camp and Jaco Beach. He currently organizes and produces “The YOLO Board Experience to Vista Guapa”. Two week long trips, one in late May and the other in early December.

Apart from Standup Paddling, Mark is a longtime Triathlete and Race Director for his local race in Louisiana called “The Crawfishman Triathlon”….if he’s not racing or putting on a race Mark is usually on the water for a paddle. One of Mark’s favorite things to say is “Paddle Hard, Live Easy” and when you join in on one of his trips to Vista Guapa you find out quickly what that really means.

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