Special coverage presented by PROMTur Panama, Panama Tropical Dream, Pandeportes, Panama Tourism Authority y Visit Panama - Photo: Juampi in Bluff by @Locobluffcrew

The fifth edition of Bocas International is just around the corner. Between July 20th and 26th, several of the best tube riders on the planet will be competing in the tubes of the Bluff.

The wave has been warming up for several days, breaking with its characteristic barrels. It even caught John John in the water.

Juampi Caraballo, a local from Bocas and one of the surfers who will debut the shortboard category at the event, shared some important information about the wave, which is detailed below.

What is Bluff like when it's epic?
Incredible tubes on the left and right just a few meters from the shore.

What conditions are needed for it to be epic?
A swell that isn't too big and is glassy and sunny.

What epic Bluff swell do you remember that was awesome?
It's always impressive; it's hard to choose just one.

What was your best wave like at Bluff?
One day the swell was big and rough, but I went out anyway, and after waiting an hour and a half, I caught a wave that looked like a closeout. It turned out to be one of the best waves I've ever caught in Bluff, super long with several sections, and I got out at the very last possible second! It was perfect.

Which local Bluff surfers do you recognize as standouts on the wave?
On the board, there are few days when it's heavy, but Mike Prada, Juan Fischer.

How big does it get?
After a certain size, it just gets heavier and heavier than the size itself; 10 to 12 feet is the biggest surfable thing I've ever seen.

What's Bluff like when the weather's bad? Are the waves always the same?
There are always waves, what changes is the bottom; every day the wave is different.

What do you think we can see at Bocas International?
What we see every year at this event: perfect tubes on one of the most incredible beaches in the world.