03/09/2020
International Women’s Day shoutout and story time!
This is Maria of Panama Freediving - she is largely the reason why Kona Ocean Camp has come into existence today.
When I (Clare) went to Southeast Asia to guide, teach, and travel, Maria ended up being my co-guide and roommate on a few months of freelance work in a row, from Malaysia to Indonesia.
When I first saw her swim underwater with the confidence and ease of a mermaid and the breath hold of a sea turtle, I was astonished and inspired. A couple months later, she convinced me to come to Amed and take the Freedive 1 course with her at Apneista.
The course and that week in Amed, Bali was easily one of the highlights of my year. The friendship, the community, the growth, and home that I felt in the most beautiful place - it changed me.
As I continued guiding in Hawaii after leaving Bali, I tried my best to channel all of the best parts of that experience into my camping tours on Big Island. Maria and I still chat over WhatsApp weekly, sometimes daily to keep the passion for what we do alive and support each other in pursuing our dreams.
And now she is teaching amazing courses in and around Panama, and Kona Ocean Camp is making its start here in Hawaii! Guaranteed that we will harness the fun, the great food, the tropical magic, and authentic connection found in Bali, mixed with the magic of Hawaii. Maria will be cheering on from afar just as we do for her - and someday I’m sure we will host a collaborative event!
Thanks Maria for rising the tide of my life and inspiring so many other women around the world!
Te amo mija!
