Our Team
Josh Evans aka “Jobbie” – Owner / RYT 200 Yoga and Surf Instructor
Originally from Calgary, Canada, Jobbie had grown up playing hockey and snowboarding. He caught the travel bug at an early age and the dream of surfing became a reality for him with his first board fifteen years ago in Australia. After catching his first wave, there was no turning back. After eight around the world surf trips throughout Asia, Africa, the South Pacific, and the Caribbean he stumbled upon the greatest little place on earth, Mal Pais. Eight years ago Jobbie started one of the original surf shops and surf schools in the area, Jobbie’s Longboards. Since then Jobbie’s Longboards Surf Camp has grown to become one of the premier surf camps in Costa Rica.
Earlier this year Jobbie also starting competing in the Costa Rica Surf Circuit finishing second in the longboard division. As Jobbie says, “the greatest gift is to share my love of surfing and yoga with all those fortunate enough to come and experience this part of the world.” Teaching people to surf and to enjoy yoga are Jobbie’s true passions, “the surf and the flow of yoga are huge parts of his life and it is an honor to be able to share the experience with my guests.”
Jobbie’s positivity and love of life always shine through his surf and yoga practice and he is always the go to guy for what can only be described as“Supernumberonegoodtimes!”
Nadja Kolesnikoff – Certified Yoga Instructor / National Lifeguard Service / Pro Certified Surf Instructor
Born on Vancouver Island, on the West Coast of Canada, Nadja first learned to surf in the ice-cold waters of Tofino. Needless to say, the warm tropical waters of Costa Rica were a welcome change. Nadja has experience teaching surf camps throughout Canada and the United States and is one of the top female competitors in Costa Ricas National Surfing Circuit. An incredible surfer and Yoga instructor, Nadja has called Mal Pais home for over the last five years. Her extensive surf experience has lead her around the globe, and here in Costa Rica her warm presence, outgoing nature and wealth of patience has lead her to become a huge part of the surf community, and positive influence on everyone she meets both in and out of the water. If you’re looking for Nadja, you’ll be able to find her either in the surf or practicing yoga. How will you know you’ve found Nadja? She’s the one with the giant smile.
Christina Zeitler – Surf & Yoga Instructor
Christina grew up on the beach in Santa Cruz, California, and has always been enamored with the ocean. She had her first surfing experience when she was only eight years old, and knew right away that it was something she wanted to do for the rest of her life. It was when she relocated to San Diego at age 17 to go to UCSD that she began to take her surfing to a new level. She competed in surfing competitions and traveled to seek out awesome surf for years before she finally found her true passion, teaching others. She has tons of experience including managing the Surf Camp at the Encinitas YMCA for 7 years and coaching for the USA Junior Surf Team, as well as coaching individual competitors.
After 20 years of surfing, traveling and training Christina began to experience some serious aches and pains. It was then that she realized she needed to make a change. She discovered Yoga just in time. After only one class, she was hooked. Years of study and dedication have allowed her to become a certified yoga instructor. It is through her teaching and her passion for good health and the ocean that Christian has found a blissful balance. She couldn’t be happier living, as they say in Costa Rica, “Pura Vida,” the pure life.
Dustin Nesmith – Surf Instructor
Dustin grew up in California, living and breathing surf his whole life. An experienced and knowledgeable guide, Dustin has an incredible impact on every one of his pupils. Because of his patience and laid-back attitude he is always a guest favorite. The “Pura Vida” lifestyle has made Mal Pais a home away from home for Dustin. After you experience the sun, the surf and the people in this magic place, you won’t want to leave either.
Fredrick Henttonen – Surf Instructor
Freddie, who is originally from Sweden, has traveled all over the world in search of the perfect wave. When he found Mal Pais, his search was over, and he now calls this beautiful city home. Freddie is an avid surfer, snowboarder, and musician. Surfing by day, and making music by night, Freddie is an amazing surf instructor who always knows where the next party will be. An amazing teacher, you can always count on Freddie to take his students to the next level.
Micah Stepanian – Goodtimes Coordinator & Surf Instructor
Californian born Micah “Thunder” Stepanian joins us after 10 years as a professional snowboarder. Micah is an incredibly talented board sports enthusiast, and has been able to take his boarding to levels that many of us can only dream about. You can count on Micha to be first guy in the water, and the last guy out. With his positive attitude and supportive teaching techniques Micha will have you surfing the break in no time. A talented musician “Thunder” will never hesitate show you a thing or two on the guitar or the drums, just ask. The camp wouldn’t be complete without Micah, a guy we can always count on to bring the right attitude to every lesson – Pura Vida.
Brandee Johnston – Yoga Instructor
Brandee has been a loving practitioner of yoga for 9 years and has been teaching for 3. She has found true joy in sharing her passion for yoga with a wide variety of people. She teaches from a place of compassion and focuses on helping her students develop a strong & flexible body, a vibrant & playful spirit, and a soft, open heart. She has studied various styles of yoga with many gifted, generous & inspiring teachers, and is certified at the 500 hour level. She has traveled worldwide to study with Baron Baptiste (Power vinyasa), Ana Forrest (Forrest yoga) and John Friend & Chris Chavez (Anusara). Brandee strives to have everyone in her class feel welcome and accepted, while challenging them to openly explore their own boundary’s.
“Brandee Johnston has an intuitive, truly magical sense of how to guide a Yoga class. Her classes flow in a way that enhances the experience levels of all student s involved. Her delivery is warm, engaging and inspiring.Brandee is able to demystify yoga and delete the fears of her students with clear communication and an active professional participation.”
- Terry McBride, founder and CEO of Yyoga and Network Records
