Wish You Were Here: Panama

Back in February, Balaram Stack, Luke Davis, Jake Kelley, Nicola Lugo, Oliver Kurtz and Layne Stratton saw a swell with all-time potential festering off the coast of Caribbean Panama. They booked tickets with the hope of scoring Panama’s beachies and even Silverbacks-the mystic right slab. While photos make Silverbacks look incredibly perfect and alluring, the truth is that it’s a very shifty beast that will catch surfers inside with clean-up sets that pop up from nowhere.
The crew arrived on the island of Bocas Del Toro after a half-dozen exchanges between planes, boats and taxis. It became quickly apparent that this swell might be too big for the beachbreaks because Kurtz snapped both his shortboards early in the trip-so out came the step-ups which allowed for some slab scouting. "This swell was different from a lot of past trips, the beachbreak was way too big the entire time, but we got to see a bunch of reefs light up that normally don't break. It felt like a mini Indo because the swell direction was so perfect," says filmer Stratton.
Luke Davis brought a quiver of smaller boards. 5'5's and 5'7's and focused his talent on the punchy beackbreaks. Kelley and Stack feasted on a slabby left that is seldom surfed, where they both locked into multiple gems.
What was supposed to be a five-day strike turned into a ten-day score. Most of the crew extended their tickets, which made for an amazing opening edit for Surfer’s new series "Wish You Were Here." Enjoy!
Filmed and edited: Layne Stratton
Water Footage: Nicola Lugo
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[@owlsonik37]

Surfer still captures surfing like no one else! These clips captures the same vibe as when I watched surfer magazine on ESPN back in the late 80’s! 👍✌️

[@castelodomar846]

I remember those!! Great show!!

[@beatsanonimos2657]

Surf trip melhor coisa do mundo ainda mais com os de fé os de verdade bagulho e doido surf salva

[@jonasakyildiz6494]

Those waves look super fun 😮

[@hippiecritegymnastics3311]

Wow, can't believe that is east coast Panama. Looks amazing.

[@on1ytheb3st]

The music surprisingly fit pretty well

[@dezionlion]

Fits gay bars pretty well too

[@andrewiida9507]

Wow. I didn’t know panama was this heavy.

[@andrewiida9507]

phu cue really?! Is this a storm swell or a regular day?

[@greatfratsby2510]

lol thats a massive storm swell. Same storm that pounded the North East US and gave Jersey, NC and Florida great waves

[@andrewiida9507]

GreatFratsby yeah, I figured.

[@salsadelmar4018]

Its is Bocas del toro is the Caribbean Hawaii and Indo Mixed

[@salsadelmar4018]

Andrew Iida we have this type and bigger swells from end of December to July also they dont went to other waves better and biggers like Bluuf or Carenero all them are close to other also is a place Kusapin there is other level still virgin surfed only by natives

[@mauifilms5767]

Mesmerizing, great edit!!!!!!!!!

[@guilhermedealmeidafernande7778]

Bocas del Toro is an amazing place to surf. I love that waves.

[@73gmiller]

What an epic wave

[@grayspainhour3051]

That was a straight up barrel fest! Heavy! Aloha!

[@kylewattssurfing3266]

Awesome cool

[@user-qt7ku6ks6h]

Bocas del toro is life.

[@mauijoe6618]

L i

[@east21st]

Dude has that left barrel completely Wired...he could make an omelette while he's in there

[@fiddlestickzmuzik]

looks like a fun wave they should look at holding a CT comp there one year.

[@ben-vf]

Was just an instant like from me .

[@tolbaszy8067]

Lonely, scorched planet captivates hunting, ice moon. Oceans arouse Earth!

[@matthewtomlet2278]

Hey I live in Panama!

[@jameskruszynski3715]

gotta love mother land finally happy that you guys looked toward Panama it has amazing surf spots try 4-11 Cambutal next time.

[@RoyalWitch]

No, please don’t. Playa Cambutal is already too crowded.

[@jerrymarquez642]

Almost there again three weeks max is gonna go off in Bocas Del Toro! Hurricane heading towards Nicaragua!

[@oliverb8580]

first song name?

[@danielstokes8560]

Came here hoping to hear wish you were hear by pink Floyd to some surfing but I was definitely not disappointed by the music choice

[@cotysurf]

Oh nice, i go to panama in june and september

[@jerrymarquez642]

Joaako Cao no waves in June maybe September good luck

[@danielvallejosguerra6795]

There are waves in Playa Venao, Pedasí, during june

[@bodyboarder56]

Que Xopa Panama... Bocas Del Toro solo falto el Crow de Paunch jajajaja Viva Panama

[@jaimeestarellas5206]

I was thinking of going in June, but I’m not sure if it will be too rainy for a summer trip. Any recommendations?

[@skimsk808]

Whoever thumbs downed this video drinks beer with a straw and rides razor scooters at skateparks.

[@mr.c1987]

I have done both but gave it a thumbs up....am I redeemed ?

[@skimsk808]

Scott C we’ve all done things we’re not proud of.

[@holleymi2000]

Guarantee they were locals who dont want people to go there...100%

[@dezionlion]

Peter Podder no

[@dezionlion]

skimsk808 don’t be gay skimmy!

[@dezionlion]

Is that a reef break or beach break?

[@anaaa3175]

yasssss

[@rodneysmart9774]

Looks like fun. Donde estaba tu? Where were you?

[@J.estrada1724]

Where is the second point? Thanks

[@lukasconrad7732]

Is it sharky there? looks super fun and music fit nicely

[@castelodomar846]

Lukas Conrad it's worth getting attacked by a shark for barrels like that. Yes, they have lots of bull sharks there. There is always a risk

[@medeclaroinocente450]

Una joven surfista es asesinada en una fiesta, políticos y empresarios son protegidos por las autoridades, la fiesta que se convirtió en crimen, el crimen que se convirtió en misterio, Barco a Venus novela, capítulo 1 ya está en youtube, bendiciones.

[@scaquariumdiver]

Anybody surf Rio Teta in Panama? Some great surf!

[@r-dogg8317]

Chicas in Panama 👌🏾 if u can then go

[@carolinadementiev777]

Una joven surfista es asesinada en una fiesta, políticos y empresarios son protegidos por las autoridades, la fiesta que se convirtió en crimen, el crimen que se convirtió en misterio, Barco a Venus novela, capítulo 1 ya está en youtube, bendiciones..,¡

[@BigBensThaBSGD]

ya gotta post the specs of that board from 3:22 and on

[@surfermag]

Benswargle I bet if you DM’d Jake Kelley he’d break it down for ya?

[@barerhythms7754]

What’s the name of the second track?! Please 🙏🏼

[@Rafaelitoadames]

Khlever -lower spectrum

[@rcalabria575]

Hello there!! I was wondering if someone, especially at "Surfer Magazine" could help me... At 05:10 mins, starts this "toada" and is there a possibility of lettting me know who performs the "toada"? Please and thank you?

[@r-dogg8317]

Surf is good but food and chicas have more fun with

[@jdb0825]

Whats the name of this track?

[@rudmansd]

Good Jam

[@rudmansd]

Did anyone say who?

[@facilitador4246]

There are different versions by different artists, ... Song: "Donde estabas tu" cha cha cha kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXimYnqcdsiKb9E kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGS6YaZumbOYp8k kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4mZiqOqbNaNla8 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmm6iaGCpZx4a5I kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYrbmqmjntRrf5Y kzbin.info/www/bejne/d37NqYWuiLutisU

[@amwinters]

B.S til 01:11 yw

[@kevintyrer45]

Awesome waves & video footage. Not to be NEGATIVE... But what was the safety like? I been seeing a lot of violence n murders stories around the people trafficking, drug & gang. industry. Besides that what a Beautiful area.

[@Bakithedachshund]

Kevin Tyrer this place is safer than most US states google it. As any place you visit you must always be with people you trust and be aware of your surroundings. Most crime that has been committed here have been as you well said gang and drug related. Safe travels

[@kevintyrer45]

@@Bakithedachshund Awesome. Thank you for the replying. I really appreciate it so much :)

[@danielvallejosguerra6795]

I'm from Panama, and there is nothing to care about if you are in touristic areas(in big cities just try to not go to dangerous neighborhoods). Sometimes people would like to sell you things more expensive than the usual price, that is the only thing could happen.

[@kevintyrer45]

@@danielvallejosguerra6795 Thank you. I think that's a common problem world wide ;) Sad though, but true. You have a Beautiful Country :)

[@salsadelmar4018]

Not really is more Scam is safe

[@lucasfigueiredo195]

what's the name of the first song?

[@facilitador4246]

There are different versions by different artists, ... Song: "Donde estabas tu" cha cha cha kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXimYnqcdsiKb9E kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGS6YaZumbOYp8k kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4mZiqOqbNaNla8 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmm6iaGCpZx4a5I kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYrbmqmjntRrf5Y kzbin.info/www/bejne/d37NqYWuiLutisU

[@paperpancake2774]

Hey yo I'm actually in Panama cause 1 I have family here I flew in Copa airlines from LA to Panama City 2 weeks ago and I'm in volcan in Panama it's tropical here I tell you lot of salsa

[@hyetrwesmelvin8167]

Song at 5:53 please??

[@Pullyaheadin92]

4:30 shit the fucking bed!Watch how much speed he gained through that tube!! Mind blowing

[@Hugh375]

That place use to have nobody but now look😒

[@joaoguedes3037]

Song name?

[@facilitador4246]

There are different versions by different artists, ... Song: "Donde estabas tu" cha cha cha kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXimYnqcdsiKb9E kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGS6YaZumbOYp8k

[@kurtllewellyn8976]

Gnarly corners.l

[@fernandamp5754]

save brother u can teach me sulfa

[@joelblanc4477]

1songname?

[@facilitador4246]

There are different versions by different artists, ... Song: "Donde estabas tu" cha cha cha kzbin.info/www/bejne/rXimYnqcdsiKb9E kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGS6YaZumbOYp8k kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4mZiqOqbNaNla8 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmm6iaGCpZx4a5I kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYrbmqmjntRrf5Y kzbin.info/www/bejne/d37NqYWuiLutisU

[@anaaa3175]

omggggg balaram is my crush and I'm from Panama omgbfbhshhbuebrw

[@ryanc1037]

Big DUMPS 🐙

[@wasco92]

Why don't they ever surf careneros? Every balaram and co edit is paunch and bluff only

[@jerrymarquez642]

I have being living in bocas Del toro for three years come in January and February spots were dumpers, punch and bluff

[@salsadelmar4018]

Carenero is heavy crowd

[@zachwaddill7801]

Same shit different barrel

[@ChronicSurfer]

I was here at the same time. Such an epic place, but didn't see Silverbacks in this vid. Just a lot of "Outside"/"Inside" Dumps.

[@WillCouch]

Epic