The Three Jewels Costa Rica Team
Nancy Goodfellow
Yoga Instructor
We are so fortunate to have Nancy as part of the Three Jewels Team, she is considered by many to be one of the most gifted Yoga Instructors teaching in Costa Rica today. She began teaching in 1998 and has completed over 500 hours of Yoga Alliance Teacher trainings and over 500 hours of certified Anusara teachings (and has achieved “Anusara-Inspired” teacher status), and has studied abroad with many international teachers of various traditions. Following her dream of living a more simple life in deep connection with nature, she moved to Costa Rica and has called the Santa Teresa area home for many years.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. Nancy invites all to step into the world of Yoga and connect to the beauty that lies within us.
John Canova
Retreat Director
John has been an avid fan of surf travel since the day he received his drivers license, packed the car with friends and boards and headed for the Outer Banks of Cape Hatteras. Today, John’s passion for surf travel regularly takes him to locales such as the North Shore of Kauai, Maui, Costa Rica, remote stretches of Baja and all over Mainland Mexico. He has been organizing luxury surf retreats to Central America for the last nine years.John believes the combination of surfing pristine waves, a sunset yoga class on the beach, a plate of fresh locally sourced food, luxury lodgings and beautiful natural surroundings (and possibly one of his top-shelf margaritas thrown in for good measure) is the recipe for a perfect day. When not surfing, John spends time hanging out with his family, working on his yoga practice, and is engaged in a number of various entrepreneurial ventures. Have a question about the retreat? Or want to check availability for a spot? Ask John: john@threejewelsretreats.com
Retreat Director
John has been an avid fan of surf travel since the day he received his drivers license, packed the car with friends and boards and headed for the Outer Banks of Cape Hatteras. Today, John’s passion for surf travel regularly takes him to locales such as the North Shore of Kauai, Maui, Costa Rica, remote stretches of Baja and all over Mainland Mexico. He has been organizing luxury surf retreats to Central America for the last nine years.John believes the combination of surfing pristine waves, a sunset yoga class on the beach, a plate of fresh locally sourced food, luxury lodgings and beautiful natural surroundings (and possibly one of his top-shelf margaritas thrown in for good measure) is the recipe for a perfect day. When not surfing, John spends time hanging out with his family, working on his yoga practice, and is engaged in a number of various entrepreneurial ventures. Have a question about the retreat? Or want to check availability for a spot? Ask John: john@threejewelsretreats.com
Jim Kelley aka “Chef Jim”
Chef
Chef Jim has been refining his culinary and hospitality skills for nearly 20 years. He has trained with some of the most innovative chefs in the industry and has worked side by side with top trainers, nutritionists, and raw foodists. His creative and playful menus always celebrate the finest seasonal, local and organic ingredients available. His years spent traveling, surfing, and cooking throughout Mexico and Central America are clearly evident on his menu. Jim has received rave reviews from such clients as Giselle Bundchen, Tom Brady, Brian Grant, David Duchovny and Tea Leoni. After relocating from San Diego to Costa Rica in 2003 Jim was chef/owner Bliss Café, and the highly acclaimed Soma Restaurant.He’s psyched to be onboard the Three Jewels Team and looking forward to having you at his table.
Chef
Chef Jim has been refining his culinary and hospitality skills for nearly 20 years. He has trained with some of the most innovative chefs in the industry and has worked side by side with top trainers, nutritionists, and raw foodists. His creative and playful menus always celebrate the finest seasonal, local and organic ingredients available. His years spent traveling, surfing, and cooking throughout Mexico and Central America are clearly evident on his menu. Jim has received rave reviews from such clients as Giselle Bundchen, Tom Brady, Brian Grant, David Duchovny and Tea Leoni. After relocating from San Diego to Costa Rica in 2003 Jim was chef/owner Bliss Café, and the highly acclaimed Soma Restaurant.He’s psyched to be onboard the Three Jewels Team and looking forward to having you at his table.
Bennison Sherrod aka “Cosmic Benni”
Surf Instructor
Bennison Sherrod’s sense of adventure came when her family took her to Guatemala when she was eleven. Benny loves surfing, endless sunshine, and the pura vida way of life. She loves stand up paddle boarding and surfing. Bennison is CPR and first aid certified and has completed a 5-day lifesaving course. She says, “In 2002, I stumbled upon Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, a surf mecca with year round waves, friendly locals, and great community. In the early years, I realized that I progressed faster and had more fun when I surfed with other women. This revelation became the basis for her career as a surf instructor in Costa Rica.” After 10 solid years of surfing in Costa Rica she has become one of the experts on all things surf in the region, and has extensive knowledge of all the local surf breaks and proven successful teaching techniques.
Surf Instructor
Bennison Sherrod’s sense of adventure came when her family took her to Guatemala when she was eleven. Benny loves surfing, endless sunshine, and the pura vida way of life. She loves stand up paddle boarding and surfing. Bennison is CPR and first aid certified and has completed a 5-day lifesaving course. She says, “In 2002, I stumbled upon Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, a surf mecca with year round waves, friendly locals, and great community. In the early years, I realized that I progressed faster and had more fun when I surfed with other women. This revelation became the basis for her career as a surf instructor in Costa Rica.” After 10 solid years of surfing in Costa Rica she has become one of the experts on all things surf in the region, and has extensive knowledge of all the local surf breaks and proven successful teaching techniques.
Alvaro Lopez aka “Aussie Al”
Surf Instructor
Alvaro Lopez was born in Chile and was raised in Australia. His passion for surfing has taken him to far-flung corners of the planet looking for adventure, knowledge and perfect waves. He came to Costa Rica in 2002. He incorporates the physical, dynamic, mental and spiritual aspects of surfing into his teaching. Al says, “The Ocean is an awe inspiring place with its beauty and power. By immersing ourselves in it, we can discover the beauty and power within us all.” When he is not in sunny Costa Rica, he can be found snowboarding in the backcountry near Salt Lake City, Utah. Alvaro is CPR and First Aid certified and is experienced in surf lifesaving.
Surf Instructor
Alvaro Lopez was born in Chile and was raised in Australia. His passion for surfing has taken him to far-flung corners of the planet looking for adventure, knowledge and perfect waves. He came to Costa Rica in 2002. He incorporates the physical, dynamic, mental and spiritual aspects of surfing into his teaching. Al says, “The Ocean is an awe inspiring place with its beauty and power. By immersing ourselves in it, we can discover the beauty and power within us all.” When he is not in sunny Costa Rica, he can be found snowboarding in the backcountry near Salt Lake City, Utah. Alvaro is CPR and First Aid certified and is experienced in surf lifesaving.
Tunde Borrego
Yoga Instructor Extraordinaire
Tunde has a passion for self discovery and awareness. Through yoga, dance, and other forms of body expression Tunde finds a deep connection to Essence and Spirit. Her love for travel and adventure has shaped and molded who she is today. Tunde’s yoga classes combines spirituality, strength, focus and relaxation. Her joy and playfulness spills off her mat and into her daily life. Tunde loves Vinyasa yoga, teaching it, breathing it, and being it.Tunde is a certified CorePower Yoga instructor, and has been practicing yoga since 2003. She is Director of the Boulder CorePower Yoga Teacher Trainings, and Extensions program.
Yoga Instructor Extraordinaire
Tunde has a passion for self discovery and awareness. Through yoga, dance, and other forms of body expression Tunde finds a deep connection to Essence and Spirit. Her love for travel and adventure has shaped and molded who she is today. Tunde’s yoga classes combines spirituality, strength, focus and relaxation. Her joy and playfulness spills off her mat and into her daily life. Tunde loves Vinyasa yoga, teaching it, breathing it, and being it.Tunde is a certified CorePower Yoga instructor, and has been practicing yoga since 2003. She is Director of the Boulder CorePower Yoga Teacher Trainings, and Extensions program.