Stevie Bodden: Interview with the Panama’s SUPerstar and 404 Team Rider

The stand-up paddleboarding scene is growing strong in Central America and with the Pan American Games’ SUP surf and racing segments attracting the world’s top talent and being dubbed the “closest thing to the Olympics” for our sport, all eyes will be set on this exciting part of the globe and its leading athletes.

To find out more and being completely hyped up by some outstanding SUP training clips, TotalSUP caught up with Stevie Bodden, Panama’s National Team Athlete, Trainer and 404 Team Rider, to chat about her local SUP scene and staying true to her mantra through the challenges and wins.

Photo by Jairo Jose Figuera Jimenez

Hi Stevie, welcome to TotalSUP! Let’s dig right into it – What’s the philosophy behind #youcantteachheart?

Hi, thank you so much for reaching out to me! You can teach technique, train for resistance and speed, and create discipline. What you can’t train or teach is heart. What defines someone is their heart, their courage. To keep going no matter the adversity, the downfalls, the difficulties. In life, in sport…to have the heart to continue, no matter the circumstance. To get up and show up.

Wins and losses don’t define me. It’s greater than that, it’s heart, my heart. My love for the sport, it’s love for myself, the love I have competing for my country, people that believe in me…for my kids and for anyone I can try to encourage. It’s what I hope to portray.

How did you get into the sport of stand-up paddleboarding and when and why did you decide to start competing?

I started paddling Cayuco at 15. A sport native to Panama through the Panama Canal. Three days. fifty miles in a dug out wooden canoe. I made the switch to SUP to be able to travel, see the world. Accomplish the dream to compete for Panama.

I dove head first into something new, sitting in a canoe with a team of four paddling for over twenty years was awesome. I decided to take it to the next level standing on a board with nothing but myself to hold accountable. I started competing seriously in SUP in 2017 shortly after my son was born. Went to my first PPG in 2017, and was fortunate after years of hard training to make the national team and go to Argentina to compete for the Juegos de Playa in 2018 where I got a taste of my DREAM. My first mundial was in Sunzal, El Salvador in 2018. It’s been non-stop ever since.

What does your local paddleboarding and SUP racing scene look like in Panama?

We have a really supportive group of SUP paddlers and a few clubs in Panama. We’re trying to build up the youth groups. Right now the really active paddlers are 35-60 years old. We organize races, trips and fundraisers for events. It’s a really good community.

My national circuit Asociación Panameña de Surf (APS) starts in April with distance, then sprint and a few technical races throughout the year.

What does the SUP racing calendar look like in Central America in terms of national competitions?

Competing in the Panamas was an incredible experience, this was what I have always been working for. I’m a 40 year old working mom of two…to know that these opportunities exist, sure with a lot of training and a village of help. But to know that this was achievable. I’m forever grateful for these possibilities.

I competed with nine other women that I admire and have admired since I started paddling, and many of whom I have competed with before. It was so incredible to be on the water in practices prior to the race, seeing the female line up with some of the best paddlers in the sport. And I was among them. That was a special moment for me. I soaked ever moment in. Especially THAT moment. I was beyond proud and honoured to be there representing Panama. My dream.

Could you share your experience with the PanAm Games? What makes this competition unique compared to other events of this calibre?

The Pan American Games were intense. NO JOKE. I think I would wake up every day prior to practice just telling myself to be brave, push through the break. That I could do it. And paddle like hell to get back in on the biggest waves I have ever seen in my life.

I was competing with nine other women that had the same tenacity as I had. It’s so wild to have been a part of something like this. Our sport, it’s so exciting. You can run into any conditions. 14 foot boards coming in and out of the surf…for the competitors it can be a little nerve-wracking. But it’s absolutely exciting and I hope it gets to be on the main stage in the Olympics someday soon.

Could you tell us about your collaboration with 404?

My journey with 404 is actually a really funny one. I met Danny Ching at a paddle seminar in Panama put on by one of the local clubs. I think I had been paddling SUP about six months? After the seminar months later, I signed up for Pacific Paddle Games in California in 2017. Showed up to the 404 warehouse in California in a taxi…with a paddle in my hand and no board. That’s when I met Greg Jenson. I will never forget Greg peeking out of the warehouse window at this crazy girl with a backpack and a paddle, wanting to compete in the PPGs without a board. Greg called Danny, and THANKFULLY they had the 14×23 V3. My first 404 board and 404 became part of my family.

What’s your favourite 404 board set up and SUP racing formats?

My favourite 404 board is the 14×22 LTD. I’m racing my 3rd LTD. The speed and design is incredible. It’s always just so nice to paddle this board in particular. I know it sounds strange, but it fits like a glove.

I’m a distance paddler at heart. I love distance and ultra distance races. I’ve never been much of a surfer, so tech races were never my strength although I have always loved them and pushed myself to do them. I have always wanted to be able to dominate a 14 foot SUP board in surf. The past few years I have been pushing myself past my comfort zone and getting better in the surf. I remember in 2018 not going into the repechage round during the PPG’s tech race because I was terrified of the waves. To 2024 competing in the Pan American Games. Progress!

Photo by Jairo Jose Figuera Jimenez

As we’re approaching the end of the year, what are your SUP racing plans for 2024?

I’m really excited for 2024! In March I’m heading to Brazil for a training camp with my coach Arthur Santacreu and to compete in the Aloha Spirit.

I come back to Panama to compete in my national circuit. I am also planning to compete in the ISA world championship in Denmark in September and the ICF World Championships in Sarasota, Florida in November.

Thank you for your time Stevie and good luck with the 2024 season!

Photo by Jairo Jose Figuera Jimenez

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