By Greg Gordon
www.crsurf.com
After 10 years of sending out surf reports, I can almost say “mission accomplished.” That mission: To help travelers and locals find the best surf in Costa Rica.
Report #466 had submissions from Playa Grande, Tamarindo, Playa Negra, Nosara, Santa Teresa, Playa Carmen, Jaco, Playa Hermosa, and Dominical. Tide charts for all of 2009 are posted to help plan trips. Local surf photographers have sent in the best photos each week, and contest videos are now up on our video gallery and on YouTube. To join the weekly surf reports are monthly travel and environmental feature issues, and a free subscription is available to everyone with an email account. There are also blogs on MySpace (www.myspace.com/crsurf) and the “Costa Rica Surf Travel Group” on Facebook to keep travelers updated on the latest news and events.
The top story of the year has been the Costa Rican surfers’ performance at the 2008 ISA World Surfing Games in Portugal. The team came in 5th and Jason Torres put on an equal top-5 result (CJ Hobgood won it). Natalie Bernold, at 15 years old, made it to the top 8 in the world in the Womens Division. Next year, the ISA World Surfing Games comes to Playa Hermosa, July 29th to August 8th, with more than 50 countries expected to field teams. CR Surf Travel Co. sponsors 18-year-old Debbie Zec Jimenez from Dominical, who finished 2nd in the Junior Women’s division last season, with a win in Jr. Women’s at Playa Carmen in February.
Worldwide, beaches and the waves that break on them are a vital resource for the community, the economy, and the ecosystem. The ISA (International Surfing Association) and Save the Waves are looking into creating marine reserves around the world to protect surf spots perpetually. It can’t be done just by the international groups; it needs input and participation by locals, individuals like us. We need to educate the world of the value of surf — and how surfing improves the quality of our lives. CRSURF.com is helping to lead this movement.
In September, I was given 15 copies in Spanish of the book “All the Way to the Ocean,” by Joel Harper. I read the story to the school children in Dominical — how pollution gets to the sea, and what can be done to prevent it. It’s one small step, yet together, the possibilities are endless. Other contributions made this year by CR Surf were: a retail membership with the Surfrider Foundation; a $100 donation to the Dominical Lifeguards program, and a $50 donation to Tropical Adventures School Project Fund that will help the Bri-Bri Indians who were hit pretty hard by flooding in November. We’re bringing down some clothes and school supplies to the Caribbean community as well.
So the sponsors of CR surf are supporting some great causes for Costa Rica. And clients who book trips through CR Surf Travel Co. can know they are giving back to the environment and local surf community. You don’t see ads for real estate development anywhere on the site. If you want to get involved or get help planning your next trip, send a note to travel@crsurf.com. There will be many more surf missions to come.
Thanks to our Sponsors: A Surfer’s Dream House; Adventure Inn; Backyard Bar and Hotel; Blue Surf Sanctuary; Blue Trailz; Cabinas Las Arenas; Cabinas Las Olas (Avellanas); Café Playa Negra; Cashew Hill; Jungle Lodge; Club del Sol; Costa Paraiso Lodge; Costa Rica Surf Club; CR Surf Adventures; Diuwak; Domilocos; Esencia Hotel; Fuego del Sol Hotel; Hacienda Baru; Hermosa Beach House; Horizon Surf & Yoga; Retreat; Hotel Fuego del Sol; Hotel Marea Brava; Hotel Poseidon; Island Hoppers; ISLS - Teen Spanish; Kevin’s Transfers; La Dolce Vita; La Felicidad; Lohe Lani Catamaran Cruises; Luz de Vida Hotel; Pablo Picasso’s Restaurant and Cabinas; Pancho’s Resort; Ranchos Ituana; Rip Jack Inn; Roca Bruja Surf Tours; Safari Surf School; School of the World; Castillo de Pavones; Sirena Hotel; Southwave Surf Shop; Surf Guide Book; The Ohana House; The Place; Tico Travel; Tres Monos and Green Iguana; Tuanis Rides; Vertical Pics; Villas Rio Mar; Vista de Olas; Witch’s Rock Surf Camp
Our Surf Reporters: Waves CR; Walking On Water Surf Shop; Hotel Las Tortugas; Witch’s Rock Surf Camp; SurfingNosara.com; John Lyman Photos; Funky Monkey Lodge; Hotel Buenisimo; Jazzy’s River House; Land Assurance; Alberto’s Surf School; The Jaco Sun
And our contributing photographers: AnaLucia Rodriguez-Tinoco; Carlos Barrera; Daniel Looman; David McNeill; Fabian Sanchez; Graham Swindell; John Lyman; Julia Mueller-Schwenn; Mama G; Matt Adame; Peter Correale; Phillippe Demarsan; PT; Ron MacLean; Sean Davis; Shifi; Thornton Cohen; Tony Roberts