After my routine walk to the bakery, Moe, Steve, Rick and I boarded our boat for the quick run over to Playa Grande.  As soon as we were about half-way across Tamarindo Bay, I could see and feel the sizable sets moving under our Panga.  It was all I could do to not jump out of the boat while it was still moving and paddle towards the lineup.  I could see spray shooting out the back of perfect A-frames thanks to the constant offshore wind.  One of the most distinct memories I have of that morning was watching Moe paddle into a perfect over-head left and scream down the line.  Even though I was having a blast, I couldn’t help but think about how perfect the wave in front of our hotel must have been for the rest of our clients.

Sure enough, when we returned to the hotel everyone was discussing how fun and playful the wave in front of the hotel was all morning.  While I relaxed and thought about all the perfect waves we caught at Playa Grande, many of the clients, including Fast Eddie, headed into town to do some more bargain hunting.  To my surprise, Fast managed to find a lady that would make him custom purple lycra boardshorts to keep him more comfortable in the water… wow…only in Tamarindo!

After another memorable group surf session out front with a great sunset as a backdrop, we showered up and walked into town for what was of course an amazing meal at Dragon Fly. Dinner was again perfect, the food was great and Captain Ted has us in stitches the whole time.

- Doug

I had a really hard time sleeping, thinking about all of the perfect waves going unridden throughout the night at Playa Grande.  As soon as it’s light enough to begin waxing my board and lathering on sunscreen, I am out of bed, amping on the day to come. 

It’s a cool vibe first thing in the morning around the hotel.  Our beginners are congregating at the equipment desk, checking out boards for their lessons and the more advanced are psyching on the trip to Playa Grande. 

I grab a cup of cafe con leche, jog down to the bakery for one of those awesome chocolate croissants, and begin rounding up Eileen, Kathy, Moe, and Steve for the quick ride over to Playa Grande.  As soon as we pull up and I get a glimpse of the sheet glass sets on the horizon, I know our first full day is going to be a memorable one.  We decide to surf just south of the  main peak, and score a really fun A-framing sand bar just to ourselves all morning.

Just when we can’t move our arms anymore, it’s time to head back to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon of shopping, lounging or simply strolling around downtown Tamarindo.  I decided to have a look around town, and happened to run into Jenn, Debbie, Eddie, Ellen and Rob doing the same.  It was nice to see some famliar faces after a few days in a town where I didnt know anyone. It was pretty funny, when we first arrived Rick and I were walking around town and bumped into Rick’s old Harbor Island neighbor Jim and his two boys.  What a small world!

We ate dinner at Pachanga’s…wow!  What a place!  This restaurant definitely set the bar for the rest of our dining experiences.  I ordered the jumbo shrimp in a spicy lime cilantro sauce with wasabi mashed potatoes.  Rick tried the calamari, which was as unique as it was delicious.  Instead of your typical calamari, this appetizer was grilled with a delicatable dipping sauce.  For an entree, Rick had the filet mignon in a red wine sauce that was out of this world. You just can not beat a filet for less then $15.00.

On the short walk home, a few of the clients who were feeling lucky, decided to try out the local casino.  I, on the other hand, just gave my money away to the slot machine in about five minutes, while Rick tripled his in less than five minutes.   

Overall, it was an all-star day with an unbelievable meal to top it off.  What made my day even better was the great company I shared it with! Everybody was really getting along and our group’s dynamics were unbeatable.

-Doug

Doug and I were fortunate enough to be invited to hop on a boat early this morning for a short but awesome dawn patrol session at Playa Grande.  The waves were super fun, about chest to head high and groomed with offshore winds.  Upon returning to the surf camp, we enjoyed yet another delicious breakfast while reviewing everyone’s arrival info and room assignments.  While awaiting our clients arrival, we checked surf forecasts, discussed tides and wind directions and confirmed our schedule for the week to maximize water time and wave quality.  

Everyone arrived on time and settled into their rooms, the beginners were assigned their instructors for the day and headed off to their first of many surf sessions right in front of the hotel.  It didnt take the intermediate surfers long to grab a board from the tremendous selection and catch up with the other clients in the water.

Wow!!!! Only two hours off the plane and already our clients were surfing perfect waist to stomach high waves in eighty degree water in picturesque Tamarindo Bay.

After watching our first amazing sunset in Costa Rica, we asked the clients to meet us on our veranda for a cold drink, orientation and meet and greet.  After new and old friends alike exchanged hugs and greetings, we gave a little background about ourselves and expressed our excitement for the week to come. 

We returned back downstairs for a quick dinner and then called it a night in anticipation of the surf-filled day on tap for tommorow!

-Rick