Canadian Surfer Leah Oke, Surfs the Panamanian National Circuit

This year Canada’s top female surfer, Leah Oke, found herself back in Panama to surf amongst some of Panama’s best surfers on the national circuit. Leah got to know Panama last year when she represented Canada in the 2012 ISA World Surfing Games, held in Playa Venao. After getting a taste for the variety of consistent waves Panama’s Pacific coast had to offer Leah decided to stick around. It didn’t take Leah long to fall in love with sleepy surf town of Cambutal. She spent half of 2012 surfing and competing here in Panama, gaining the experience she would need to stand out. Her performances on the national circuit so far this year prove she is fierce a competitor. I met Leah this year at the 2013 ISA World Surfing Games held at in Santa Catalina. We had never met before, but her fire engine red hair and Canadian flag towel made her easy to spot. I introduced myself having only ever spoken to her via email. Leah was very humble and happy to chat.   I asked Leah what competitions she had been surfing in recently. The list was long.

 “This year there are 7 contests on the national circuit, I’ve surfed three of them so far”, explained Leah. The first was in Bocas del Toro, Leah entered even though she had only had two days in the water, after recovering from a broke wrist. She ended up winning the event.

After placing 1st in Bocas, Leah went on to the second round of the series held in Marriato. She placed first in Marriato as well, gaining the winning score in the final minutes of her heat. The third round of the National circuit was held in Playa Venao, Leah placed 3rd, after being called for interference in the finals.

In the midst of all the national circuit excitement, Leah took a trip down to Costa Rica to support Panamanian Surfer Gonzalo Gonzales, who was competing in the Reef Centroamérica Surfing Games. She stubble upon an all girls event happening the following day and thought she’d wax up her board and paddled out. Participants were girls from all over Central America, Leah placed 1st. 

Leah has since arrived back in Canada, and in her words, shes traded the sunburns and jelly stings for frozen extremities and aggressive sea lions.

We hope to see Leah back in our waters soon. Until then, we wish her the best of luck as she braves the icy cold waters of British Columbia,Canada. 

Photo by: Mike Phillips Photography