Photo caption: Be one of the first three to email: info@crsurf.com with the name of this break and win a sticker pack from CR Surf Travel Co.

~ Photo: Alfonso Petrirena (Last month was “Tulin”)

FORECAST

Caribbean Coast: Since the experts are calling for an active hurricane season for the Atlantic, it’s expected to push in chest to head-high surf anytime the winds pick up. Otherwise it will be hot, humid, and flat — great for snorkeling and sunbathing with a cold Imperial or coconut water.

Pacific Coast: Already, two tropical systems have brushed the coastline, bringing some flooding and plenty of local wind swell. After the big south swell pushes 2 to 3 feet overhead through for the Fourth of July weekend, it backs off to chest to head-high surf for the next week. Then another southwest swell arrives midmonth, keeping it overhead for another week, followed by waves from the south. Nothing major is showing later in the month, so the best waves are at the beginning.

New moon: July 11

Full moon: June 25

TRAVEL

A few rumbles are still being felt along the coast, and the new toll road to the Pacific has been closed off temporarily during certain days, so be prepared for detours or take the old route. The problem was that the walls cut from the mountain were too steep, and so rocks have been falling on the highway.

If you head to the Caribbean, be sure to check out a festival created in honor of Costa Rican calypso legend Walter “Mr. Gavitt” Ferguson. It will be celebrated July 5-18 in his hometown of Cahuita, on the southern Caribbean coast. Read more on their site, Festival del Cultura de Cahuita — www.adic.soy.es.

La Dolce Vita in Playa Esterillos Oeste is holding a photo contest, with a three-night stay at the resort as the top prize. Check their site for more information and to submit your photo — www.resortladolcevita.com

There are still plenty of great hotels are offering special low season deals that only CRSURF promote. How about $15/night economy rooms in Playa Grande, hostels and guesthouses from $12/night per person? A standard SUV is only $168 plus insurance. So send us your ideas for a relaxing summer vacation with great surf and we’ll put together a trip for you.

Best flights found for July: JetBlue from Orlando for $426, American Airlines from Miami for $340. The cheaper flights are later in the month and August.

CONTESTS

Luz de Vida Resort in Santa Teresa is hosting a pro surf contest on the weekend of July 9-11. There will be $10,000 in prizes with Open, Juniors, and Womens divisions. Check www.luzdevida-resort.com/torneo/Challenge.html

The Costa Rica National Surf Circuit ended June 26 with Luis Vindas winning the National title in the Open Division. Carlos Munoz took 1st place for Juniors and Lisbeth Vindas won her 8th National title. Congratulations to Noe Mar McGonagle from Pavones, on the CRSURF team, who took 1st in Grommets and 2nd in Boys.

ENVIRONMENT/COMMUNITY

Help put up bridges for monkeys in Manuel Antonio. Call 2777-2592 or e-mail info@kidssavingtherainforest.org. Or if you are in Playa Negra, get out to Azul Profundo Boutique or Luna Llena hotel to buy a souvenir t-shirt, mug, or sticker for the Salve Monos “Save the Monkey” program. They dedicate countless hours and every dollar or colon received to the area’s howler monkeys. All profits go to planting trees for corridors, putting up bridges over streets and power lines, and conducting population studies.

Thanks to Ron McLean at Dominical Photos, the lifeguard program has a new website. The lifeguards have made dozens of saves this year, and their salaries rely on donations from the community and tourists. During the last peak season, professional lifeguards stayed in town to volunteer their services, too. If you’d like to contribute resources to the program, visit www.dominicallifeguards.com. CRSURF also supports the lifeguards in Esterillos, Tamarindo, and Playa Cocles.

CRSURF eco-T-shirts are on still on sale for only $10! They are made in Florida from recycled plastic and cotton, and we are donating $3 from each shirt sold to the Surfrider Foundation’s Tamarindo Chapter, PRETOMA (to stop illegal shark finning), and the Dominical Lifeguards. You can also buy leashes and boardbags from WaveTribe, made from hemp and recycled materials.

** Photo caption: Be one of the first three to email info@crsurf.com with the name of this break and win a sticker pack from CR Surf Travel Co. (Photo: GG) Last month’s photo showed “Suck Rock” in Santa Teresa.**

Costa Rica Surf Report: June ‘10
• Greg Gordon •
www.crsurf.com

FORECAST

Caribbean Coast: The tropics will be active this month and hurricanes in the Caribbean Sea will churn up overhead wind swells lasting a few days each week. Watch for flooding, as the major highway in and out has been having road problems. Once you get there, enjoy the laid- back vibe. Be prepared to snorkel, or take a boat ride to a mysto reef going off from a hurricane swell to the north.

Pacific Coast: The rainy season is in full swing; the rivermouths have opened wide and the sandbars are setting up for the larger Pacific swells that arrive this month. It’s expected to be an active season, with warm ocean temps bringing strong localized storms. With earthquakes and volcanoes both in the news, look for solid ground as base camp and then explore the nooks and crannies of the coast. A strong SSW brings out the best of the point breaks.

New moon: June 12

Full moon: June 26

TRAVEL

While in San Isidro, I felt a 5.1 earthquake shake the aisles of the Supermercado La Corona. The epicenter was 30 km off the coast of Quepos. Luckily, no tsunami took place. Also, the Arenal Volcano erupted, sending hot lava and rocks flying down on the National Park, forcing it to close temporarily. It has since reopened and the hotels in the area are all still open and many have outstanding views of the lava flow. The best time to view the volcano is early in the morning before the clouds obstruct the view and late at night, when the lava glows the brightest.

If you want to take a surf trip with the family, Witchs’ Rock Surf Camp is offering a free half-day trip aboard the Zori, their 48′ foot yacht, as part of their weeklong camps. And for the ladies, how about learning to surf with Connie Arias? She will be at the Blue Surf Sanctuary from July 25 to the 31 (Connie is June’s “Boardrider of the Month.” See pages 36-37). Send an email to get your vacation plans set today while the flights are cheap.

CONTESTS

In the surf world, the finals of the Circuito Nacional de Surf will be in Playa Hermosa June 25-26. The Costa Rican surfers now can compete against the best in the world and win with their aerial arsenal. If you want to see “the Best of the Best,” then also check out the $10K contest behind Luz de Vida Resort in Santa Teresa July 9-11.

ENVIRONMENT/COMMUNITY

The DominicalLifeguards.org website has been a great link between the community of Dominical and lifeguards willing to volunteer from around the world. During the last Easter Week the group made over 20 saves, but due to limited funds they are always at risk of having to disband. If you have any resources to contribute, visit the site and make a pledge to help save lives.

CRSURF eco-T-shirts are on still on sale for only $12.99 including postage. They’re made in Florida from recycled plastic and cotton, and we’re donating $3 from each shirt sold to the Surfrider Foundation’s Tamarindo Chapter, PRETOMA (to stop illegal shark finning), and the Dominical Lifeguards. You can also buy leashes and boardbags from WaveTribe, all made from hemp and recycled materials.

CR Surf Travel Co. is proud to support the Cocoa Beach Surf Museum as a contributor to their annual Waterman’s Challenge. Check out the WaveTribe products donated for the raffle at the June 5th Luau.

Photo caption: Be one of the first three to email info@crsurf.com with the name of this break and win a sticker pack from CR Surf Travel Co. ~ Photo: GG

FORECAST
Caribbean Coast: Don’t expect big surf this month, but when it’s tiny and the sun is shining the snorkeling is incredible. The rainy season has started, so also be prepared for an afternoon dousing. What’s best is that the hotels drop their rates and when there’s surf the lineups won’t be nearly as crowded.

Pacific Coast: May is a favorite month to travel to the Pacific. First, you have very consistent swells from the south and southwest, and second, the high season is over and summer hasn’t started, which means fewer crowds. Thirdly, the rainy season dampens the dust and turns the landscape green again. It’s not the daily 12-hour downpours you get in October, more like afternoon showers that help afternoon glass-off sessions.

New moon: May 13

Full moon: May 27

TRAVEL
The movie release for “Fe De Agua,” the story of a local surfer from Guanacaste who goes pro, will take place at Aqua Disco on May 7 in Tamarindo at 7 p.m. The movie was filmed on the Nicoya Peninsula and employed local actors and directors. In other news, I’ve been putting together a lot of honeymoon trips, which include a few days at Volcan Arenal and a couple of days in Tamarindo, wrapping up the vacation in Nosara. These custom packages are priced at less than $1,500 per couple for the rooms and the car rental. With summertime around the corner, I also have some great options for the family and for college students who need low-budget accommodations. Just send a note to travel@crsurf.com. Mention the “Beachside Resident” when you book a trip, and you’ll get a free CRSURF t-shirt for every traveler coming with you.

CONTESTS
The next contest on the Circuito Nacional de Surf will take place May 22-23 in Nosara. Then the grand finale occurs June 25-26 in Playa Hermosa. Come watch the best surfers in the country compete to see who makes it on to the National team and on to the ISA World Surfing Games. Also, save the date of July 9 as Hotel Luz de Vida in Santa Teresa hosts an international surf competition with a $10,000 purse. Check the website and Facebook page as more details become available.

ENVIRONMENT/COMMUNITY
How about some summer reading for the kids?? Check out “All the Way to the Ocean,” a book that teaches kids not to litter because it will eventually end up in the sea and hurt marine life. Written by Joel Harper with a introduction by Laird Hamilton, it’s a great way to show your kids how to take care of our oceans. You can buy it in our online store — www.crsurfshop.com.

Did you know the Costa Rican government wants to downgrade the Las Baulas National Park to allow more development in Playa Grande? This is one of the last nesting sites of the endangered leatherback turtle in ALL of the Americas. You can help protect the park by signing this petition created by the Natural Resource Defense Council, posted on the CRSURF Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/crsurf.

CRSURF eco-T-shirts are on still on sale for only $12.99 including postage! They are made in Florida from recycled plastic and cotton, and we’re donating $3 from each shirt sold to the Surfrider Foundation’s Tamarindo Chapter, PRETOMA (to stop illegal shark finning), and the Dominical Lifeguards. You can also buy leashes and boardbags from WaveTribe, made from hemp and recycled materials. Why not save a little green while you’re out in the big blue?

Costa Rica Surf Report and Forecast
By Greg Gordon
www.crsurf.com
travel@crsurf.com

FORECAST

Caribbean Coast: The wave season is wrapping up this month, but there are still periods of overhead surf. Just follow any northeasters that head off the coast of North Carolina and wait about a week. The weather is just right, with lots of sunshine in the morning and cooling rainshowers in the afternoon. Expect locals to dominate the lineup at Salsa Brava, but plenty of open space at the Playa Cocles beach breaks.

Pacific Coast: The first major southwest swell hit the last week of March. It was a combo swell since it had plenty of sets from the west-northwest, pushing the wave size to double overhead. In April, expect more swells from the south-southwest, arriving about every two weeks and lasting three to four days with the biggest waves on day two. Hard offshore winds keep some surf off the northern Nicoya coast, so the southern coast is the place to be.

New moon: April 14
Full moon: April 28

TRAVEL

The first week of April is crazy with Semana Santa allowing most residents to take a week off and visit the beach. Add to that Spring Break in the U.S., and that means lots of beachside traffic, mucha fiesta, and more crowded lineups. However, after the 11th it quiets down quickly.

The reason for the missing report in March was that I was doing some research and attending many “board” meetings. In Puerto Viejo, I stayed at the eco-friendly Cashew Hill Jungle Lodge, in Playa Hermosa the rustic beachfront Cabinas Las Arenas, and in Santa Teresa my hosts were the beachside Blue Surf Sanctuary and way up the hill in Surf Vista Villas. All of these are great options if you’re planning your next trip. Reviews for these accommodations and many others are on the CRSURF website: www.crsurf.com

CONTESTS

The next contest on the Circuito Nacional de Surf will take place April 10-11 in Santa Teresa. CR Surf Travel Company currently sponsors five surfers who compete on the national tour: Lealani and Noe Mar McGonagle from Pavones, Elliot Bishop from Puerto Viejo, Jefferson Tacson from Jaco, and Luis Castro from Tamarindo.

Also that weekend (although unconfirmed at print time) in Boca Barranca will be the Gidget Pro Longboard Association World Championships. Boca Barranca is one of the longest lefts in the world, and for years Toes on the Nose held an annual event hosted by Rabbit Kekai. Usually local beaches hold their own events, so if you are a competitive surfer, check the local surf shops to sign up.

ENVIRONMENT/COMMUNITY

The Jaco Chamber of Commerce wants to continue to help support the Playa Hermosa-Punta Mala National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to nesting grounds for olive ridley, green and rare hawksbill sea turtles. The refuge needs help with basic infrastructure and equipment, more park rangers and public services (electricity and telephone), and educational materials for visitors. To help with this project, contact the chamber at 2643-2853 or by emailing cenpac.chamber@gmail.com. If you wish to help the lifeguard program in Dominical, you can make a donation at www.dominicallifeguards.org. Last Easter week they made over 40 saves!

CRSURF eco-T-shirts are on still on sale for only $12.99 including postage through www.crsurf.com They are made in Florida from recycled plastic and cotton, and we are donating $3 from each shirt sold to the Surfrider Foundation, Pretoma.org (to stop the tuna farms in Punto Banco), and the Dominical Lifeguards. You can also buy leashes and boardbags from WaveTribe made from hemp and recycled materials. Save a little green while you’re out in the big blue.

Costa Rica Surf Report
By Greg Gordon
http://www.crsurf.com

FORECAST
Caribbean Coast: This is another consistent month for surf, with waves mostly head-high plus, but reaching double overhead. Lots of rain showers as well, so make sure you have tread on the tires for the roads and something strong to clean out your ears after a surf session. Two major surf contests this month will bring out the locals, so show respect in the lineup.

Pacific Coast: The Papagayo winds (from the northwest) really start howling this month, at times strong enough to cause upwelling, which means chilly water. Not that chilly, since you are 9-degrees latitude, but enough so you may want a springsuit up by Witch’s Rock. Waves arrive from the west-northwest and occasionally from the southwest, but don’t get too big. You will see surf from waist- to chest-high mostly, with some 1- to 2-foot overhead days scattered throughout the month.

New moon: February 13

Full moon: February 28

TRAVEL
(Email travel@crsurf.com if you are interested in any of these surf trips to Costa Rica)

Now is the time to start planning your Spring Break and summer surf getaways. Whether you’re just starting out and want to find a few lessons or you’re an expert looking to score epic uncrowded conditions, we can help you plan a custom trip to fit your budget. It’s what we’ve been doing since 1998. Flight specials on American Airlines from Orlando are ~$320 for March 28 or 29 to April 4. A small 4wd SUV costs only $219 per week plus insurance. So what are you waiting for? Send us an email and let us know what type of trip you’re looking for — travel@crsurf.com. (Prices can change quickly for flights, so no guarantees until they’re reserved).

CONTESTS
A Caribbean Surf Association has been created to help support the youth who want to improve their surfing skills on the Caribbean coast. A series of contests have been planned, the next one coinciding with the National Surf Circuit and taking place in Westfalia on February 20-21, and the organizers are looking for sponsors to help them with the financial burden. Their website — www.acosuca.com — has photos and news about upcoming events. If you’re interested in promoting your company and helping kids stay off drugs and instead participate in a healthy, active lifestyle, please contact info@crsurf.com. The Adelante Open is another contest taking place on February 27 in Playa Hermosa, Uvita (about 12 km south of Dominical). There will be cash prizes and an afterparty at the Adelante Hotel. Register at South Wave Surf Shop in Dominical or visit www.adelantehotel.net/surf.

ENVIRONMENT/COMMUNITY

* Florida has an important decision to make regarding oil drilling off the coast. If you disapprove of this idea, show your opposition by joining hands on the beach on February 13 at 1 p.m. Check www.handsacrossthesand.org for details.

* There will be a concert at the Harbor Reef Lodge in Nosara on February 16 to support the Nosara Wildlife Association. This comes right after the Craig Chaquito concert hosted by Safari Surf School on the 14.

* The Dominical Lifeguards are going through some difficult times financially, and without outside support will have to be disbanded. To help them out, go to www.dominicallifeguards.org and make a donation.

* CRSURF eco-T-shirts are on still on sale for only $12.99, including postage! They are made in Florida from recycled plastic and cotton, and we are donating $3 from each shirt sold to the Surfrider Foundation, the Dominical Lifeguards, and Pretoma.org (to stop the tuna farms in Punto Banco). You can also buy leashes and boardbags from WaveTribe made from hemp and recycled materials. Save a little green while you’re out in the big blue.

David shoots photo sessions for $40 pp. Do you think it's worth it to this guy? We do…

FORECAST

Caribbean Coast: When you see a northeaster heading off the coast around North Carolina, that creates a set-up for surf a week later on the Caribbean coast. January has consistent surf and nice weather. The breaks get crowded with locals and visitors from all over the world, but if you find the right trail or a good boat captain, you can find peaks all to yourself.

Pacific Coast: Waves are plentiful, but generally not as big as later in the year. This month is one of the best since the crowds diminish as school restarts, yet the winds stay consistently offshore and the rains all but disappear. This brings out the best blues in the ocean. (Just check the photo taken of Playa Hermosa by David McNeill: dave@devadproductions.com)

New moon: January 15
Full Moon: January 30

TRAVEL

(email travel@crsurf.com if you are interested in any of these surf trips to Costa Rica)

Do you have Facebook? Check out the latest galleries of surf shops in Dominical, Puerto Viejo, Tamarindo, and Jaco on the CRSURF page — www.facebook.com/crsurf. You can also post your favorite surf photos from your last Costa Rica vacation and share comments about the beaches you’ve surfed.

Witch’s Rock Surf Camp in Tamarindo has a few openings left for the February land and boat excursions. These trips are group according to your surfing level, so you get to surf with others to keep it mellow or push your limits. Email us to get the details for these “all inclusive” experiences.

Safari Surf School and Sweet Travels are proud to present this concert event featuring Craig Chaquico! Enjoy a unique week of surf, sun, and music as a special VIP guest (complete with backstage passes, luxury accommodations, meals and activities). Craig Chaquico is a Grammy nominated multi-instrumentalist and award- winning solo artist. Expect an amazing performance on Valentine’s Day and then later in the week paddle out for a lesson with him. Packages start at $1,275 pp for four.

Join CRSURF on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter today to get the latest photos, news, and insider stories from the beaches of Costa Rica. When you’re ready to book your customized dream vacation, check out  www.crsurf.com/trips.html.

CONTESTS

The Costa Rica National Surf Circuit’s next contest takes place on January 9-10 in Playa Esterillos. This year, CRSURF is sponsoring five kids: Luis Castro from Tamarindo, Jefferson Tacson from Jaco, Elliot Bishop from Puerto Viejo, and Noe Mar and Lealani McGonagle from Pavones. This is one way we can give back to the surf community.

The Puerto Viejo Open Pro will take place on the 30th-31st of January, with Open, Grommets, and Paddle Board divisions. For more information or to help sponsor the event, contact Beto at 8885-9688.

ENVIRONMENT/COMMUNITY

In 2009, CR Surf Travel Co. donated over $1,000 to sponsor kids and support local charities. Here is a partial list of those we’ve helped: Surfrider Foundation, Pretoma, Boarding for Breast Cancer, Dominical Lifeguards, Tropical Adventures, and Green Jungle. We hope that our travel clients and website sponsors appreciate the efforts made to help the community and the coastal ecosystem.

Help the Dominical Lifeguards by attending a fundraiser for them at Que Nivel, date tentatively set for January 19. To help out now, go to www.dominicallifeguards.org and make a donation. They save dozens of lives every year.

CRSURF eco-T-shirts are on sale for only $12.99 for the holidays! We are donating $3 from each shirt sold to the Surfrider Foundation, Pretoma.org (to stop the tuna farms in Punto Banco), and the Dominical Lifeguards.

By Greg Gordon
www.crsurf.com

Playa Cocles, Caribe Coast. Great vibe, great food, great surf. Yes, it does break off that island. Photo: Greg Gordon

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

Surfer: Luis Castro

Costa Rica Surf Report and Forecast
By Greg Gordon
www.crsurf.com

FORECAST

Caribbean Coast: October usually means rainy season. This season is a little different since El Niño is in full-effect. That means more rain showers east of the Talamancan mountain range, but overall, less tropical activity for the Caribbean. No consistent swells coming until mid-November.

Pacific Coast: This month is usually the rainiest of the year, but with El Niño, it won’t be as plentiful, especially up in the northern Guanacaste region. This means cleaner conditions with plenty of south swells filing up from Peru. However, there will still be some heavy downpours toward the end of the month, so keep an eye out for lightning, flash floods, and objects floating in the lineup.

Full moon: October 4

New Moon: October 17

TRAVEL

Hotel and surf camps have their cheapest rates of the year in October. You can find a room on the beach with A/C and breakfast for <$50, or get up to 30% off boat trips or all-inclusive camps. Just take a look around our website, and when you see something you like, let us take care of the rest. Don’t forget to book your tickets now for the holidays. There are still tickets out there for under $300 from Miami, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale, but you have to start planning with your family and friends. Let CR Surf Travel Co. find a great package for you that won’t break the bank. Email travel@crsurf.com if you’re interested in any of these surf trips to Costa Rica.

CONTESTS

The Jaco Surfing Association is putting together a contest to promote student surfers and education. It will consist of all age groups, from grade school through University, and prizes will be donated by local businesses. The contest will be held at the Best Western Jaco Beach on October 30 through November 1. There will also be a costume party at Bar El Muelle in the Jaco Beach with great prizes for the best costumes. For more info, contact Chuck at: chucks@racsa.co.cr, or Selena at: drselejaco@hotmail.com. Also, there are new dates set for the Central American Surf Championship. It will take place on October 24-25 at Playa El Sunzal, La Libertad, El Salvador.

COMMUNITY

With the help of donations from Surfrider Foundation Tamarindo, development group Las Mareas and area resident Drew Smith, Tamarindo’s only lifeguard, Jorge Zamora, had his salary paid through August. However, the lifeguard program still needs help to continue. The beach stand needs more equipment as well as more lifeguards, and of course the salary of the one remaining lifeguard needs to be protected. To help, contact Cheryl at: cherylmckillican@hotmail.com, or if you are in the area, talk to Mike Clifford at the Surfers Sports Club in Playa Langosta. The lifeguard program in Dominical is also having financial difficulties. In order to raise funds, calendars featuring local ticas are being sold for $20. Buy them at the hotel Tortilla Flats and go to www.dominicallifeguards.org to find out more on how to help the group.

ENVIRONMENT

Teams from National Geographic have been visiting Isla del Coco in submarines since September 9. While scientists gather data, film crews shoot scenes for an hour-long documentary to be aired on the National Geographic Channel. Follow the trip at www.ocean.nationalgeographic.com. Scientists have uploaded daily photos, videos and reports to the website during their visit. In other news, the leatherback turtle population has declined by 95% during the past two decades. Playa Grande, which was the nesting site for more than 1,000 leatherbacks per year in the late 1980s, now hosts only some 40 to 70 of the nesting sea turtles annually. Las Baulas National Park may be reduced by new Government legislation, and we want to know what you think about it. Post your comments on the CR Surf Travel page on Facebook.

Costa Rica Surf Report and Forecast

FORECAST

Caribbean Coast: During September it gets rainy and very inconsistent. Tropical systems generally head north, not west, so any fetch is heading in the wrong direction. On the good side, it’s very inexpensive to eat and stay comfortably, it’s not crowded, and when the occasional short-period swell shows up, you have a number of reefs and sand bars to choose from.

Pacific Coast: This month is tricky since many breaks are tide dependent — meaning it could be chest-high at near low tide and a foot overhead at an hour before high tide. Add to that the increased chance of the wind coming on shore early. You have to know where to go to get the goods and find the break that doesn’t have 30 surfers on it. (That’s where we can help you plan your trip…)

Full moon: September 4th; New Moon: September 18

TRAVEL

Girls Only Surf Camp? We can help you choose from a dozen options in Costa Rica which cater to every variety of chica. Whether it’s a mom-and-daughter bonding trip, an all-inclusive experience with nothing to plan but eat, surf, spa, stretch, and sleep, OR a strategic strike to find the best waves with minimal crowds and a jungle backdrop — just tell us when you want to go!

Private, all-inclusive tours on board a 48′ yacht. Spaces are still available for $300 per person per day and that gets you everything — food, drinks, board rental, and the best boat trip of your life. Mention CRSURF and you can surf for only $1,000 pp for a whole week if you bring at least two friends.

David McNeil is offering to take photos of you surfing while visiting Jaco and Playa Hermosa. He charges from $40 pp for a two-hour session and also can help arrange boat trips to lesser known point breaks in that area.

20% discount off your house rental in Manuel Antonio — www.anamars-ecotours.com
30% discounts at Costa Rica Surf Charters — www.costaricasurfcharters.com
20% off weekly board rental or surf lesson at Coconut Harry’s in Nosara — www.coconutharrys.com

Join CRSURF on Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter today to get the latest photos, news, and insider stories from the beaches of Costa Rica. And email: travel@crsurf.com to find out more about some of these great offers.

CONTESTS

Just in case you didn’t hear, the biggest surf contest ever held in Central America took place in Playa Hermosa last month, August 1-8. Thirty-five different countries came to compete and over 30,000 people were on the beach to see the finals and award ceremony. (You could walk to Jaco from Terrazas more quickly than driving — the traffic was that bad). The  U.S. team won, and Jeremy Flores from France won the Mens, with Cory Lopez coming in Second. Courtney Conlogue from the U.S. took 1st for the women, and Sage Erickson helped the U.S. with a 3rd Place showing. In Longboard, Antoine Delpero from France won, with Tony Silvagni from the U.S. getting Fourth. Our local longboarder — Raul Gonzalez — represented Puerto Rico well. The Costa Rica team placed a very respectable 7th, with Jason Torres reaching 7th Place and Carlos Munoz earning 13th Place.

To find the next generation of surf talent on the Caribbean Coast, the Puerto Viejo Open took place a week later. Jordan Hernandez took home two new surfboards and $300 for winning both the Open division and the Airshow. There are about a dozen super talented surfers in the community who would excel on the national surf circuit, and just don’t have the sponsors. CRSURF recently donated $100 to Jefferson Tacson from Jaco to help with contest entry fees. If you want to help, send a note to: info@crsurf.com.

The next BIG contest is the Central American Surf Championship, September 25-27, at Playa El Sunzal, La Libertad, El Salvador.

ENVIRONMENT/COMMUNITY

CRSURF set a booth at the contest site of the World Surfing Games to promote their methods of helping out. The first thing beachgoers saw were the t-shirts made from half-recycled plastic and half-recycled cotton. Then they noticed the beach bags made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. Also at the front were brochures that described the efforts to stop the tuna farms planned for Punta Banco, only a mile from Pavones. A petition was written up to oppose the farms and by the end of the week we had 285 signatures. If you want to help the communities of Pavones and Punta Banco stop the construction of eight experimental yellowfin tuna cages, then use this link set up by PRETOMA and sign the petition — www.pretoma.org/petitionpeticion. The group Project AWARE will host an International Coastal Cleanup Day 2009: September 19 from 9 a.m. to Noon, Diving Safaris, Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, 2672-1259. For more info, email: info@costaricadiving.net. The road from Quepos to Dominical is almost done! It’s paved past Matapalo, and the rest is well grated. You should go slow though, because monkeys and coati still cross the road. Sadly, the lifeguard program in Dominical has run out of funding and now there are no lifeguards to protect swimmers and surfers. If you wish to help, visit: www.dominicallifeguards.org.

By Greg Gordon
www.crsurf.com

Caribbean Coast: August is mainstream hurricane season, so expect some surprise surf sessions. They’ll come and go quickly, so you need to sit on it for at least at week.

Pacific Coast: This month is one of the best for waves and weather. The first part of the month has an “Indian Summer” effect with offshores lasting later in the day and less rain. The second half is rainier, but when you’re in the water surfing 1- to 2-foot overhead peaks it doesn’t matter.

Full moon: August 5th
New Moon: August 20th

Travel

Joe Walsh from Witch’s Rock Surf Camp in Tamarindo now has a 48′ yacht, and is motoring it around the Osa Peninsula for the next month on a wave hunt. Spaces are still available for $300 per person, per day and that gets you everything — food, drinks, board rental, and the best boat trip of your life. Mention CRSURF and you can surf for only $250 per day.

David McNeil is offering to take photos of you surfing while visiting Jaco and Playa Hermosa. He charges from $40 per person for a two-hour session and also can help arrange boat trips to lesser known point breaks in that area.

Don’t miss the opportunity from August 9th to the 15th to get up close and personal with humpback whales in the Osa Peninsula. See the complete travel package and sign up soon! Space is very limited. Check: www.crsurf.com/news/travel/whale-trip09.html for details.

Join CRSURF on Facebook Groups, MySpace, and Twitter today to get the latest photos, news, and insider stories from Costa Rica. Email us at travel@crsurf.com if you’re interested in taking a surf trip.

Contests

The Billabong ISA World Surfing Games starts August 1st and runs through August 8th behind Terrazas del Pacifico in Playa Hermosa. CRSURF will have a booth at the contest and will be selling Eco-T-Shirts with a new design on the back, as well as commemorative beach bags (made from 100% recycled bottles) and stickers. Check out the CRSURF website for a list of our favorite accommodations with a satellite view of their location in relation to the contest.

There will be a Puerto Viejo Open Surf Contest August 15 at Playa Cocles. The contest will have heats for open, grommets and longboard. For more information, call Beto at 8885-9688.

Environment/Community

CRSURF is raising money to donate books to kids. “All the Way to the Ocean,” by Joel Harper, follows two boys learning about how litter affects the marine life and coastal ecosystem. Laird Hamilton explains in the beginning why it’s so important for surfers to keep their beaches clean. To purchase a copy, visit the travel shop at www.crsurf.com. For every two copies sold we can donate a copy in Spanish to kids in Central America.

If you want to help the communities of Pavones and Punta Banco stop the construction of eight experimental yellowfin tuna cages, then use this link set up by PRETOMA and sign the petition: www.pretoma.org/petitionpeticion. There will also be petitions to sign at the CRSURF booth during the World Surfing Games in Playa Hermosa.

Specials

(You only have to mention you found out about them from CRSURF.)

20% discount off your house rental in Manuel Antonio: www.anamars-ecotours.com

30% discounts at Costa Rica Surf Charters: www.costaricasurfcharters.com

Get a FREE surfboard for your stay at Witch’s Rock Surf Camp on select dates in August: www.witchsrocksurfcamp.com

Coconut Harry’s Surf Shop in Nosara is offering 20% off your weekly board rental or surf lesson: www.coconutharrys.com
Caption: New CRSURF t-shirt design. Get yours at the World Surfing Games in Playa Hermosa.Design by Bob at www.graphicbob.com.

Photo by: Fabian Sanchez – Witch’s Rock

www.crsurf.com

Group shot of International Surf Day at Hacienda Pinilla. Photo by Thornton Cohen at www.nomadpics.com

A great children’s book that teaches why it’s important not to litter.

FORECAST

Caribbean Coast: July is generally a quiet month for waves, but as the hurricane season gets into gear, there may be a swell or two. The actual storms don’t hit the coast, but instead move north toward Cuba and the Yucatan. If it’s powerful enough, it can send overhead surf for two to three days at a time. Pacific Coast: The last week of June has seen overhead surf just about every day from the South and Southwest, and this pattern continues for July. A stream of Southern Hemi systems plow towards Central America, sending head-high to double overhead-plus surf. The key is getting to the beach early when winds are offshore, and being there at the right tide — generally lower tides for points and reefs, and higher tides for beachbreaks. Full moon: July 7; New Moon: July 21.

TRAVEL

Joe Walsh from Witchs Rock Surf Camp in Tamarindo is taking the WRSC bus on a Pacific Coast surf tour August 15 to the 29. It includes daily surf instruction, surfboards, photos and video of you surfing, and all meals for only $700 per person per week. David McNeil is offering to take photos of you surfing while visiting Jaco and Playa Hermosa. He charges from $40 pp for a two-hour session and also can help arrange boat trips to lesser known point breaks. For July, the cheapest flights I’ve found are on Taca for $211.42 from Miami to San Jose. ($80 for 2 boards in one bag each way). American Airlines has flights from MIA to SJO for $235.42. ($100 per board each way). And Jet Blue has a few seats left from Orlando to San Jose for $315.42. ($50 per board each way). Join CRSURF on Facebook Groups, MySpace, and Twitter today to get the latest photos, news, and insider stories from Costa Rica.

CONTESTS

The Billabong ISA World Surfing Games will be held from July 31 to August 8 behind Terraza del Pacifico in Playa Hermosa. So far, 35 countries have signed up to compete, and if you are staying in Jaco, buses will be running to/from the contest site. Check out the CRSURF website for a list of our favorite accommodations with a satellite view of their location in relation to the contest — www.crsurf.com/ISA09-hotels.html. The top qualifiers for the Costa Rican team have been chosen for ISA World Surfing Games. Open: Jason Torres, Luis Vindas, Carlos Muñoz, Diego Naranjo, Juan Carlos Naranjo, Jairo Pérez y Gilbert Brown. Mujeres: Lisbeth Vindas, Nataly Bernold y Mariana Samudio. Longboard: Cristian Santamaría y Anthony Flores. Of these twelve, eight will make the final cut.

ENVIRONMENT/COMMUNITY

CRSURF is raising money to donate books to kids. “All the Way to the Ocean,” by Joel Harper, follows two boys learning about how litter affects the marine life and coastal ecosystem. Laird Hamilton explains in the beginning why it is so important for surfers to keep their beaches clean. To purchase a copy, visit the travel shop at www.crsurf.com. For every two copies sold we can donate a copy in Spanish to kids in Central America.

If you want to help the communities of Pavones and Punta Banco, stop the construction of eight experimental yellowfin tuna cages, then use this link set up by PRETOMA and sign the petition: www.pretoma.org/petitionpeticion

An International Surf Day event was held on the beach at Hacienda Pinilla on June 21 to raise funds for the Tamarindo Lifeguards and future beach cleanups. There was a great turnout for the event. Also, the Soulstice Pro took place the same weekend behind Cabinas Las Olas in Playa Hermosa. Their efforts were focused on cleaning the beach at Playa Guacalillo and supporting the Friends of Playa Hermosa in their environmental efforts. And Safari Surf School organized a contest in Nosara the same day to raise funds for the local schools.

The Christian Surfers group from Daytona Beach sent two groups to Dominical to help with local community projects and put together a free contest for the kids on June 20.

SPECIALS

– You only have to mention you found out about them from CRSURF…

30% discounts at Costa Rica Surf Charters! Go to: www.costaricasurfcharters.com

Get a FREE surfboard for your stay at Witchs Rock Surf Camp on selected dates in July and August — www.witchsrocksurfcamp.com

Coconut Harry’s Surf Shop in Nosara is offering 20% off your weekly board rental or Surf Lesson — www.coconutharrys.com

Two weeks in a two-bedroom luxury poolside condo in Jaco for only $2,300. It’s a great place for up to six people to stay for the World Surfing Games, less than 5-minutes drive to the contest site. Visit www.clubdelsol.com for details.

www.crsurf.com

The month of June is known for the consistent south and southwest swells that sweep the Pacific Coast. The average size of the surf is head-high to overhead, with a few stronger swells producing waves up to double overhead. The key is to surf early since winds turn onshore at about 10 a.m. on most days. On the Caribbean side there are rare days with a little size, but it’s mostly a serene sea — perfect for snorkeling or scuba diving, or just soaking in the sun.

TRAVEL

The next Tamarindo Beach Fair will be on Saturday, June 6. For those interested in joining us to show off your company, ideas or wares, email puravidahealth@gmail.com, or simply call them direct (Andrea 8398-8705, Holly 2653-1238). And don’t forget to check out the organic marketplace every Saturday from 9 to 2 p.m. in front of Witch’s Rock Surf Camp.

Taca Airlines now has flights from $280 from Los Angeles to San Jose! And flights from New York to SJO for $351 (+$95 each way to travel w/2 boards). This price is for many dates throughout summer, so contact travel@crsurf.com to get your next vacation started. On May 15th, TACA changed its surfboard bag fees to $95 each way ($80 to/from Miami to SJO). To petition the high cost of surfboard charges on airlines, go to: www-surfers-against-airline-fees.com

Three-Day Music Festival on The Osa with Costa Rica’s Best Rock, Blues, Classical, Reggae and World Musicians all donating their performances to play at RainforestAid09 this June 19-21. Don’t miss: Evolucion, Akasha, Gary Hoey, Kingo Lovers, Nancy Buchan, MudCat, Igni Ferroque and Manuel Obregon performing Simbiosis on Sunday June 21. RFA09 is raising awareness and funds in support of the Osa. Join us at Camp Rugged Seahorse on Leila’s farm in the small village of Amapola (25 min. North of Puerto Jimenez). Camp on site or stay at one of the areas hotels or eco-lodges in Puerto Jiminez or Uvita. Saturday is family and kids day with fun activities planned and local job fair. Don’t forget: Fly on Nature Air for half price between June 15 and 25. Promo Code: rainforestaid09 at www.natureair.com. Book your Costa Rican Vacation today for this June and enjoy music, art and nature in the Rainforest.

CONTESTS

Carlos Muñoz is Costa Rica’s New National Surf Champion! The 16-year-old made history by winning the Open, Junior, and Boys at the final contest of the Circuito Nacional de Surf Daystar 2008-2009, Presented by Coca-Cola Zero at Playa Hermosa. Lisbeth Vindas earned her 7th National Women’s title as well. Both will be representing their country proudly at the “Mundial” this July. The Billabong ISA World Surfing Games will be held from July 31 to August 8 behind Terraza del Pacifico in Playa Hermosa. There will be over 40 countries competing and if you’re staying in Jaco, buses will be running to/from the contest site. Check out a list of our favorite accommodations on the CRSURF.com website, with a satellite view of their location in relation to the contest. Also visit www.surfingcr.net and www.isasurf.org to get the latest information on the teams participating.

ENVIRONMENT/COMMUNITY

GoodMorningPavones.com (or BuenosDiasPavones.com en espanol) is a new website dedicated to the community of Pavones and Punta Banco. They’ve been covering the Tuna Farm issue, and they give you an opportunity to buy a t-shirt to support the environmental group PRETOMA, who are leading the effort to oppose the tuna farms. Unfortunately these farms are to be built right off the coast of Punta Banco, and although there is a lot of evidence that they would cause a lot of damage to the marine ecosystem, the Costa Rican Environmental Ministry has approved them anyway.

The US Department of State’s Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science imposed a trade embargo on all Costa Rican shrimp exports to the US, effective May 1. The embargo is due to Costa Rica’s failure to enforce its laws that require commercial shrimp fishers to protect sea turtles from capture and death in trawl nets by using Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs). According to a report issued by the State Department, the decision to embargo Costa Rica was the result of a multi-year investigation that involved certification visits and data compiled from credible third-party sources. The evidence points out how Costa Rica’s Fishery Institute (Incopesca), didn’t “provide sanctions for TED violations that served as an effective deterrent against the failure to use TEDs”.

SPECIALS

Coconut Harrys Surf Shop in Nosara is offering 20% off your weekly board rental or Surf Lesson if you mention the CR Surf Report!

Waves Costa Rica in Playa Hermoa is offering a 10% discount on their all inclusive surf packages.

Our partners at Tico Travel are offering this special: Tropical Volcano & Manuel Antonio – 8 Days/7 Nights. Includes: Arrival meet-and-greet service, 7 nights lodging at selected Hotels. Seven breakfasts. Guided tour to Arenal Hanging Bridges. Guided tour to Manuel Antonio National Park. All in-country land transportation to selected areas. Price: $765 double occupancy. (All offers valid from May 1 to November 14, 2009). Just send an email to travel@crsurf.com to book your trip.

Check out the limited-time specials for up to 30% discounts at Costa Rica Surf Charters. Their boat, the Aquadesiac, offers overnight surf trips to Witch’s Rock and Ollies Point. They also take multiday tours up to Nicaragua. Visit www.costaricasurfcharters.com to find out more.

Hotem Totem in Playa Cocles has an online reservation special: Stay 3 nights and pay for only 2. Visit www.totemsite.com for more details.

By Greg Gordon
travel@crsurf.com

A couple of samples of the daily pics now available on CRSURF.com – courtesy of Devad Productions

Costa Rica Surf Report
By Greg Gordon
www.crsurf.com

FORECAST

Caribbean Coast: May generally marks the end of the major eastern swells, but there will still be a few overhead days. With less rain at this time of year, the snorkeling and diving options look better. There have been lots of improvement to the roads and infrastructure in the area, making it easier to access the white sand beachbreaks and reefs.

Pacific Coast: This month is my favorite of the year to visit Costa Rica. The rainy season has just started, keeping the dust down but not quite churning the rivermouths into a brown stew. And the southwest swells start firing up from down under. Expect lots of overhead days, and look for the best conditions during mid-morning high tides. The winds stay offshore generally until about 10:30 a.m., and then usually glass off right before dark.

TRAVEL

The road from Quepos to Dominical may never be finished, but the road in town is going to be paved! After many years of planning, the dirt and cobblestone roads winding through the center of Dominical will be paved by the end of May. It will benefit the town by reducing the number of large puddles where mosquitoes reproduce during the rainy season. Taca Airlines now has flights from $208 from Miami to San Jose (plus$75 each way to travel w/2 boards). This price is for many dates throughout summer, so contact travel@crsurf.com to get your next vacation started. The Billabong ISA World Surfing Games comes to Playa Hermosa this July 31st and runs through August 8th. Check out a list of our favorite accommodations, with a satellite view of their location in relation to the contest. Our budget options are as low as $60/night for two people. How about a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom house in Herradura (5 km. north of Jaco) for only $700/wk.? Maybe a private jungle 2-bedroom house near Playa Hermosa for $400/wk? Or a luxury private 2- bedroom villa at Club del Sol in Jaco for six people at only $3,000 for two weeks? Or a mansion on the beach in secluded Esterillos Este — only $300/night! Stay in style, but you have to make reservations early. Over 40 teams are coming and it’s one of the last weeks of summer for school kids.

CONTESTS

Jairo Perez won the Junior Division of the Reef Classic Cambutal in Panama, held April 23rd to 25th in 1 to 2-foot overhead surf. Also representing Costa Rica were Gilbert and Ronald Brown, Jason Torres, Carlos Munuz, Lisbeth Vindas, and Diego Naranjo. All of them did well in the early rounds, but missed the quarterfinals by small margins. For more results, check out: www.alaslatintour.com. The final contest of the year for Circuito Nacional de Surf Costa Rica will be held behind Terraza del Pacifico in Playa Hermosa on May 1-3. This 6-star event will determine the overall champions in many categories, and will also help in choosing who will represent the National Team. Also, on May 2, Alpha Blondy will be playing at Hotel Docelunas in Jaco. The Caribbean coast is organizing their own Surf Association to better prepare young surfers for competition nationally and internationally. The next contest will be on May 9 at Playa Cocles. CR Surf Travel Company is one of the sponsors for the event. The Jaco Surf Association is holding an event May 15-17 called TIENDA-a-TIENDA, tagteam layout with 12 surfshop teams competing for the title of best team. For info contact Chuck at WoW Surf Shop by email or call 2643-3844.

ENVIRONMENT/COMMUNITY

Project Green Jungle has set a goal to raise $1,500 by May 19. They’ve been given an amazing opportunity to build a facility within the reservation of the indigenous Bribri. This will only cost $1,500 for a complete traditional Bribri build-out. Please help us out if you can; our ongoing water tests, biosurveys, and cultural programs will be able to be conducted much easier with a facility here. To learn more about the goal or donate, go to: www.greenjungle.org. Pura Vida Health owners Holly and Andrea are excited to let you know that Saturday, May 2, the community beach fair is on! So much talent, handicrafts, art and delectable foods can be found within our diverse community. Pura Vida Health organic market and Witch’s Rock Surf Camp are collaborating with vendors of all facets to create a fun-filled day of good music, good food, good products and great people. Contact them with any questions or inquires. Booth space available to anyone (no matter how small or large your product, cause, business or inventory). Write puravidahealth@gmail.com, or phone 8829-0240 or 8398-8705. The Three-Day Music Festival on The Osa with Costa Rica’s best Rock, Blues, Classical, Reggae and World Musicians all donating their performances to play at RainforestAid09 this June 19-21. Don’t miss: Evolucion, Akasha, Gary Hoey, Kingo Lovers, Nancy Buchan, MudCat, Igni Ferroque and Manuel Obregon Performing Simbiosis on Sunday June 21st. RFA09 is raising awareness and funds in support of the Osa. Join them at Camp Rugged Seahorse on Leila’s farm in the small village of Amapola (25 min. North of Puerto Jimenez). Camp on site or stay at one of the areas hotels, or eco-lodges in Puerto Jiminez or Uvita. Saturday is family and kids day with fun activities planned and local job fair. Don’t forget: Fly on Nature Air for half price between June 15-25. Promo Code (rainforestaid09) — www.natureair.com.  For more details go to www.rainforestaid09.com.

SPECIALS

• Check out the limited-time specials for up to 30% discounts at Costa Rica Surf Charters! (Be sure to say you saw them on CR Surf)

• From WitchsRockSurfCamp.com – Buy one get one free May 2-9 and May 9-16! They have only a couple of rooms left for each of those weeks. Whether this is your first time down here or your 10th trip to WRSC, you can’t let this deal pass you by (mention CRSURF for this special rate). And two spots are still available for the Costa Rica/Panama guided surf tour May 6-16. The cost is $2,000/person and includes all hotel accommodations, breakfast/lunch/dinner daily, surfboard rental, and daily guided tours by land and boat to the best waves in Central America.

• The CRSurf Shop now has eco-friendly hemp boardbags for sale from WaveTribe. Check them out, and buy one to save a slice of the earth. As always, free shipping in the continental U.S.

• Every time you purchase from www.ecopaper.com, you can use the discount code — CRSURF — to receive 5% off your order. They have envelopes, sketch pads, notebooks, and writing sets with paper made from mango, banana, hemp, or coffee.

• We have t-shirts! Only 100 have been printed, and now only 75 are left. We’re donating $3 from each shirt sold to the Surfrider Foundation, Boarding for Breast Cancer, and the Dominical Lifeguards. The Men’s shirts are made from a 50/50 recycled plastic and cotton mix. The Women’s shirts are Gildan soft cotton.

Did you know that CRSURF is on Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter? Just run a search for CRSURF and link up to hear about the latest specials. And to see our favorite YouTube videos and Myspace friends in Costa Rica, check out www.crsurf.com/favorites.html.

(Back of the new CRSURF)

Costa Rica Surf Report and Forecast

Caribbean Coast: After the Northeasters drift off the coast of the United States, the fetch they create can slip south of the Antilles and pile into the Caribbean coastline. The pattern continues through the first part of April, but by the end of the month the flat spells start up, making it better for snorkeling than surfing.

Pacific Coast: April means crowded lineups and offshore mornings. The rainy season gets an early start in the Osa Peninsula while the rest of the coastline usually stays sunny and dry. Up north, a few blasts of Papagayo winds remain, and combined with the first southern swells can form some dreamy lineups.
Full moon:April 9th; New Moon: April 24th

Travel

Looking for a place to stay for the ISA World Surfing Games this July 31st to August 8th? Check out a list of our favorite accomodations, with a satellite view of their location in relation to the contest. Our budget options are as low as $60 a night for two people. How about a 3- bedroom, 2-bathroom house in Herradura (5 km. north of Jaco) for only $700 a week? Or a luxury private 2-bedroom villa at Club del Sol in Jaco for six people — only $3,000 for two weeks? Or a mansion on the beach in secluded Esterillos Este, only $300 a night! Stay in style, but you have to make reservations early. Over 40 teams are coming and it’s one of the last weeks of summer for school kids.

Airfare Special — American Airlines from Miami to San Jose for <$240 with select dates from Monday to Thursday until 5/28. With our partners at Tico Travel, one board flies free from Orlando or Miami. Also, JetBlue flies from Orlando started flying on 3/26 for ~$275 and up. ($50 per board each way). Contact us at travel@crsurf.com to help you find your flight.

Note: To petition the high cost of surfboard charges on airlines, go to www.surfers-against-airline-fees.com.

Contests

There will be an area surf contest taking place in Playa Carmen, April 11th and 12th. The final contest of the year for Circuito Nacional de Surf Costa Rica will be held behind Terraza del Pacifico in Playa Hermosa on May 1st through the 3rd. This 6-star event will determine the overall champions in many categories, and will also help in choosing who’ll represent the National Team.

Environment/Community

Find your favorite fruits, veggies, bread, cookies, oils, and grains from 9a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday at the Pura Vida Health Organic Market, located in Tamarindo in front of Witchs Rock Surf Camp.

There will be a fundraiser on April 4th at Hotel Laguna del Cocodrilo in Tamarindo for the local Surfrider chapter. This will benefit Surfrider, the lifeguard program, and the recycling program. Their next meeting will be on April 30th at 7 p.m. at the Surf Club in Playa Langosta. Everyone is welcome to attend and participate.

CRSURF.com is supporting www.GreenJungle.org with their first TWEARTH Day, an event taking place on the River Saxiola (Southern Caribbean) and shared with the world using Twitter. Parents, teachers, and students are welcome to visit and participate in this event. Go to www.twearthday.org to learn more.

Read about the proposed tuna farms near Pavones at: www.crsurf.com/news/environment/tunafarm3.html

The CRSurf Shop now has eco-friendly hemp boardbags for sale from WaveTribe. Check them out, and buy one to save a slice of the earth. As always, free shipping in the continental U.S. Everytime you purchase from www.ECOPAPER.com you can use the discount code –  CRSURF — to receive 5% off your order. They have envelopes, sketch pads, notebooks, and writing sets with paper made from mango, banana, hemp, or coffee.

We have T-SHIRTS! Only 100 have been printed, and only 80 are left. We are donating $3 from each shirt sold to the Surfrider Foundation, Boarding for Breast Cancer, and the Dominical Lifeguards. The Men’s shirts are made from a 50/50 recycled plastic and cotton mix. The Women’s shirts are Gildan soft cotton. Buy one online at www.crsurfshop.com.

Check out www.crsurf.com to see the latest daily pics, and get expert help planning your next trip.

Of course you need a place to sleep. I’ve found a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house in Herradura, which is three miles north of Jaco. On a typical drive from the airport, you can get there in less than two hours. The community has a pool, paved roads, and the house is stylishly furnished and has the full kitchen, washer/dryer, and central A/C. The best part is the price: only $700 a week! You can drive to Hermosa, Barranca, Bejuco, or any of 20 surf spots within an hour’s drive. You can do a day trip to Manuel Antonio or Mal Pais, or just relax by the pool. We can even find a chef to cook an evening feast or a Sunday brunch to make your vacation complete.

If beachside is your scene, then you have hundreds of options. You can narrow it down by budget and by wave size wanted out back. Then you take the tides into consideration for the time you’re there. Add in the crowd factor (Californians, Europeans, and South Americans take surfing vacations, too). And is it safe to leave your stuff around? These questions make it hard to make a good decision. So for the last 10 years I’ve logged several thousand miles checking out beaches, hotels, road conditions, environmental hazards, and the local vibe.

Four hundred and seventy four surf reports later, the hotels I mention on the CRSURF.com website I can honestly recommend. They are owned by locals who give back to their community, and they happen to be right near a great surf spot or right by the airport so you catch your flight home. If there’s a place to stay or rental that you have in mind, let me help you find the best price for it. Some surfers like the Four Seasons, others like four tent poles.

Keeping your trip within budget can be tough, especially if you want to rent a vehicle. I work with reliable companies that offer some great rates. Right now, a Suzuki Jimmy is $376 for a week, with all the taxes, fees, and mandatory insurance included.It’s a good size for two people, for a family of four I recommend the Toyota Prado for $510 per week. And once the green season returns, so do lower prices. A Rav4 would be $380 per week, a Prado 5-passenger for $429 per week, or a Daihatsu Bego for $299 per week. The rental companies may change their prices, but I’m always looking out for the right vehicle at the right price for you. And if just need private transport to the beach, I can get you there for under $40 per person.

So besides the 100 surf breaks, the rainforest, the beautiful scenery, and being able to sleep near an active volcano, why would want to go to Costa Rica? Here is what’s happening. On March 7th and 8th the national surf tour comes to Santa Teresa, the beach north of Mal Pais. With over 100 contestants from groms to grandmasters, this contest may decide the year’s champion. If the winner doesn’t claim it here, they’ll have to wait until May 2nd and 3rd when the finals take place in Playa Hermosa. They also get to represent Costa Rica in international competition and this year the ISA Surfing World Games will be hosted by Terraza del Pacifico in Playa Hermosa, July 31st to August 8th. Mark those dates for your summer trip and book your rooms early. There will be a Marathon in Dominicalito on March 8th at 8:30 a.m. to benefit the Dominical Lifeguards, the Ojochal library, and the Dominical Public School. There’s over $1000 in cash prizes for the 10k run, and gift certificates for the 5k run. For more information, contact Dave at 011-506-2787-0237 or race@costadelsol-cr.net. You can donate to the lifeguards directly at www.dominicallifeguards.org. They will be filming a movie called “Fe de Agua” on March 16th to the 21st. Blue Surf Sanctuary is hosting a Billabong Girls Surf Camp on March 21-27. The word is that Shaun Tomson is planning to visit as part of their “Surf With a Pro” camp, which they share with Safari Surf School in Nosara. E-mail us at travel @crsurf.com or call 877-SURF-007 if you are interested in either camp.If you’re into kayaking, Tom Snyder from GreenJungle.org is organizing a trip down the Saxiola River which divides Panama and Costa Rica on the Caribbean side. That trip is happening on April 19th. To help him out, check out: firstgiving.org/tomsnyder. If you’re waiting until summer to head down, don’t forget that Rainforest Aid, a huge concert and festival to benefit local groups on the Osa Peninsula, will take place from June 19th to the 21st. Also, this summer there will be a Quiksilver Surf Camp hosted by WavesCR from July 31st to August 8th, which coincides with the ISA World Surfing Games.

And if you can’t afford a trip right now, you can still check out the site to get you stoked for your next trip. Check out new batch of photos and videos that come in every week. You can print out monthly tide charts, read weekly surf forecasts, see daily pics from Santa Teresa, and link up to live wavecams in Hermosa and Tamarindo. In the Travel Shop we have the most eco-friendly boardbags and t-shirts on the planet. The boardbags from WaveTribe are made mostly from recycled plastic tarp and hemp. The men’s shirts are made from 50% recycled plastic and 50% recycled cotton. And for any purchase we are giving a $1 to three non-profit groups: Surfrider Foundation, the Dominical Lifeguards, and Boarding for Breast Cancer.

All this is happening on www.CRSURF.com. Come take a look…

www.crsurf.com

It was remarkable to see the high level of customer service the staff showed throughout my stay. When I arrived, the security guard helped me with my bags and the manager gave me a tour of the condominium. I was shown the new washer and dryer and the spare bedroom with two twin beds, taught how to work the LCD screen TV and DVD players, and how to access the free wireless internet. The manager explained that they offer daily maid service and can help arrange any tours or transfers needed. Some options: guided visits to Manuel Antonio National Park, surf lessons, ATV tours, and zipline canopy tours.

As for the inside, it was designed for a corporate CEO — apparently with his or her friends and family in mind. The beds were enormous and the rooms almost soundproof, making for ideal sleeping conditions. Each room was appointed with custom made furniture designed for comfort and relaxation. In the living room they had an extensive DVD collection with many recent hit features and comedy classics, and a small selection of books as well. The kitchen was fully equipped with a full-size fridge and freezer, gas stove, and microwave, and was tastefully decorated with wood cabinets, ceramic backsplashes, and marble counters. All of the rooms had ceiling fans and air conditioners, and the living room and master bedroom had beautiful wooden French doors which opened on to a private patio and tropical garden.

Beyond the garden in the main courtyard was a free-form pool with two mini-waterfalls in the center. The falling rivulets gave just the right amount of pressure for massaging my shoulders and neck after a long day surfing. The staff provided oversized plush cotton towels for the pool and the deck furniture allowed for sunbathing and socializing in the shade. If I wanted a little extra treatment for sore limbs, I could have asked for one of their healing spa treatments, with the therapist coming right to my residence.

Overall, it was the service and serenity that made Club del Sol so special. Their rates were affordable too, starting at $85 for a one-bedroom condo in the Green Season or  $130 for a two bedroom. To make your own reservations, just visit www.clubdelsoljaco.com or call 1-877-679-7134. Check back to their website often since they’ll be promoting some Spring Break and Easter holiday specials.

travel@crsurf.com

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.

www.crsurf.com

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