Colleen Cannon
Colleen founded Women's Quest after a highly successful career as a professional triathlete. In her racing days, she was World Champion in 1984, and National Champion in 1988 and 1990. She also was a multiple U.S. National team member. Her passions, besides chocolate and being in nature, are liberating and empowering women through movement and balance, and targeting their true "hearts' desire." "Colleen continues to EVOLVE adventures for Women's Quest, delighting in ways to ENCHANT women with the experiences that coax happiness grown from joyful physical experiences."

My favorite thing about Costa Rica is the really sweet people that live there and how they accommodate every wish you could ever have. Then it is the warm ocean with perfect waves for easy surfing. I love the long white sandy beaches where they allow dogs and there is even a dog that can surf. I love Pranamar the yoga place we are staying because the whole place is surrounded by water. I love the open air yoga pavilion overlooking the ocean It is so peaceful. Right out front of Pranamar is a great place to snorkel and our surf beach is about 200 yards away with really easy waves.

So..I love Costa Rica mainly because there are EASY, UNCROWDED, CLEAN waves for beginner surfers. It helps everyone feel like they can be and are surfer chics and it helps us all gain confidence

Bennison Sherod (aka Cosmic Benny)
Women’s Quest Retreat Guide
Bennison was born in Texas. Her family took her on a backpacking tour of the pyramids of Guatemala when she was 11, which sparked her wanderlust and sense of adventure. She found Costa Rican paradise in 2001 and now lives full time in Playa Santa Teresa. She relishes the warm weather, endless sunshine, tropical jungle, and an easygoing way of life. Bennison fell in love with surfing immediately. She realized that she progressed faster and had more fun if she surfed with other women. A group formed and they began to encourage, support, and appreciate each other. Since then, Bennison has realized that surfing isn't just about catching a wave…it's about courage, going beyond boundaries, believing in yourself, and going for it.

I LOVE Costa Rica! The endless sunshine, fresh sea breezes, and sand between my toes makes me feel free. The community welcomes people from all over the world and I like this acceptance of people who are different than you. I love that there are tons of girls in the water! We hoot when a girl gets a wave! I love the fresh tropical fruits and the emphasis on healthy, whole foods. I love the variety of restaurants, the sincere smiles from strangers out on a walk, and all the dogs playing on the beach. I can't get enough of the sunsets!

I love surfing in a bikini, not a wetsuit! I love the warm Pacific ocean and the connection with 'Pacha Mama', Mother Earth. I feel a bond with other surfers when we all get up for an early session. Surfing changed my life! I am now more present minded and aware, and I am more athletic and healthy than I have ever been. When you catch a wave, it is as if the whole world stops and You are allowed to be blissful, playful, and full of light and love. I love surfer girls (and boys)!!!

Anna Garaway
Surf Instructor
Anna is from Santa Cruz, California, and is from a family of competitive surfers. Traveling from an early age around the US with her parents and internationally with her siblings, at 15, Anna went to Chile and never looked back. Her surf travels have taken her to Barbados, Mexico, Hawaii, Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, Bali, Japan, Italy, England, Holland, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. She has won the Costa Rican National Women’s Championship and other competitions. Anna has years of experience teaching, having taught in California, England, Holland and Costa Rica. She has a love for being in the ocean and sharing surfing with others. "My favorite thing about teaching, is watching someone ride their first wave. The un-removable smile, joy, excitement, and freedom they feel reminds me why I started surfing." Anna loves Costa Rica, its friendly people, and feels so blessed to be able to spend time here.

What I love about surfing? I love that surfing has brought me around the world, it has introduced me to amazing cultures, and inspiring people. I love that I can do it alone or I can go with a group of friends. I love surfing because you are always being challenged. I love surfing because when I'm traveling, I always feel at home in the water.

What do I love about Costa Rica? I love the warmth of the country, from its people to the warm ocean water.

Erick Mora
Surf Instructor
Erick was born and raised in Costa Rica. He started surfing when he was 16 years old, what he likes most of teaching surfing is meeting new people, sharing time in the ocean with them and seeing the positive effect it has on them, and also the smile in their faces after they get their fist rides. Erick has been living in this area for 7 years. Before that he lived in the Osa Penisula for another 7 years.

Erick's two passions in life are traveling and surfing. He got his travel bug when hetraveled to Mexico when he was 15 years old. After that all he could think was to work and save money to see the world. Erick has been surfing in Fiji, New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, South Africa, Canary Islands, Spain, Nicaragua and Panama. Erick loves the beauty of the Santa Teresa area, the incredible beaches and friendly people and especially the great weather that allows him to wear shorts year round!

Nancy Goodfellow
Yoga Instructor
Nancy Goodfellow began her Yogic studies in the Ashtanga tradition under the guidance of her first teachers, Dominic Corigliano, Tim Miller, and Sri Pattabhi Jois. At a young age she felt drawn to go inwards to gain insight into life's great mysteries. For two years she practiced and studied daily with great discipline and devotion alongside her teachers and mentors.

Following her dream of living a more simple life in deep connection with nature, she moved to Costa Rica and developed a strong self-practice, while continuing to study abroad with many international teachers of various traditions. Nancy has completed over 500 hours of Yoga Alliance Teacher trainings and began teaching in 1998. Yet it has been the challenge of overcoming one of life's greatest tragedies and losses that opened up the inner-door to her heart and has allowed Nancy to infuse and channel her teachings with great compassion, confidence and joy.

Nancy currently dedicates much of her studies to the Anusara method with its amazing principles of alignment, Tantric philosophy and Bhakti-filled practice. She completed over 500 hours of certified Anusara teachings and has "Anusara-Inspired" teacher status. Her teachings are infused with a myriad of elements, which come together to create a highly educational, physically challenging, and deeply soulful experience. Nancy has been practicing Yoga for nearly 20 years and teaching for over 10 years. She and her family recently opened Pranamar Villas and Yoga Retreat on the beach in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica where she teaches workshops, retreats and daily yoga classes. Nancy invites all to step into the world of Yoga and connect to the beauty that lies within us all!