Costa Rica Surf Report: December ’09

By: Greg Gordon

Article Category: Costa Rica Surf Report 1 Comment

FORECAST

Caribbean Coast: There have already been a couple of overhead days at Salsa Brava and their frequency will increase throughout the month. Swells generally last only two or three days, but the powerful surf hits the many reefs for enough juice to make the drive over worth it. Tourists fly in from around the world for sunshine and the nightlife, and the local guy or gal who gives you a smile may just be the surfing national champion.

Pacific Coast: The offshores last later in the morning, meaning longer or even all-day sessions. Wave size drops a bit as the south swells weaken, but the background sets still reach chest-high on the smaller days. Also, swells from the west/northwest filter in overhead surf from the Aleutians. Don’t come expecting double overhead surf, just be pleasantly surprised when you see overhead lines without the high season crowds, which don’t show until the 19th.

Full Moon: December 2
New Moon: December 16
Blue Moon: December 31

TRAVEL

We have posted a photo library of surf shops in Dominical, Puerto Viejo, Tamarindo, and Jaco on our Facebook account. Check out the board rental inventory at: www.facebook.com/crsurf.

Witch’s Rock Surf Camp has some great trips planned for 2010. The first is a one-week surf tour of the Nicoya Peninsula for intermediate level surfers January 23-30. Pick up at San Jose Airport and travel by mini-bus to Mal Pais at the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula by taking the Puntarenas Ferry. Surf the famous breaks (and a few secret spots) around Mal Pais, Santa Teresa, Nosara, Marbella, Avellanas, Tamarindo, and Playa Grande with the personalized coaching of our top instructor/guides. This is the ideal tour for surfers who want to work on their skills while exploring new waves. Accommodations will be in a variety of private homes, cabinas, and small hotels. Each location offers a unique local experience, great food, and amazing waves. It’s a Saturday-to-Saturday trip, limited to 6 guests, and costs just $1,200 per person. Flights must arrive in San Jose before 2 p.m. and depart after 11 a.m.

Also planned is an Triangle Tour of the Southern Pacific and Caribbean beaches, with a volcano rafting finale January 30-February 6. Pick up at San Jose Airport and travel by mini-bus to the Caribbean side to hit Salsa Brava and the other secret spots guide Luis Castro grew up surfing. Then head on to the best Central and Southern Pacific breaks around Hermosa, Quepos, Dominical, and Pavones, based on conditions. Finish with a trip though the Volcanoes on the way back to San Jose, with a Class 5 whitewater adventure to cap the trip. There will be only six spots available for this tour! It’s set up for strong, experienced surfers only and costs just $1,200 per person. Flights must arrive in San Jose before 2 p.m. and depart after 11 a.m. Be sure to check the CRSURF site for new trips throughout the year. Email: travel@crsurf.com if you are interested in any of these surf trips.

CONTESTS

Costa Rica earned Second place at the IX PanAmerican Surfing Games held in Bahia, Brazil. Although the Brasileños were able to sweep the top spots, Jason Torres from Jaco took 2nd in the Open Division, and five of the eight on the Costa Rican team made the semifinals in their divisions. The next contest is the Reef Classic Surf contest organized by ALAS (Latin American Surf Tour) to be held December 4-6 in Jaco with $20,000 in prizes. Then, the first date of the Circuito Nacional de Surf is planned for December 12-13 in Playa Hermosa.

ENVIRONMENT/COMMUNITY

Project Green Jungle is a group started by the Florida Teaching Zoo, which helps fund educational and research projects in the Talamancan region of Costa Rica. This year they’re planning to hold a raffle for Earth Day to raise funds for their current initiates and are looking for prizes to be donated. It could be services, products, hotel stays, or artwork. For more information about the group, visit:www.greenjungle.org.

You can support environmental initiatives in Costa Rica by buying a CRSURF eco-T-shirt. Not only are they made from recycled materials — $3 from every sale goes to help PRETOMA (helping sea turtles and sharks), the Surfrider Foundation Tamarindo Chapter, and the Dominical Lifeguards. They make a great holiday gift, and are ON SALE for only $12.99 at www.crsurfshop.com!

www.crsurf.com

Potentially Related posts:

1. Costa Rica Surf Report: October ‘09
2. Costa Rica Surf Report
3. Costa Rica Surf Report: August ’09
4. Costa Rica Surf Report July
5. Costa Rica Surf Report