It has now been a full week since our Costa Rica Surf Camp has ended and the first signs of my tan starting to fade are showing.  Getting back to reality last week was pretty tough.  I have taken so many surf trips in my life and the last 10 days I spent in Costa Rica were just incredible.  I guess that is what happens when you put together a great group of fun loving people and a 5′ - 6′ 218 degree SSW swell running at 14 seconds with consistent offshore winds for your entire stay.  It makes me wonder if some of our clients could even begin to appreciate what we just experienced.  The shear quality of surf that we had truly made it one of the top trips of my life. All of us who live-to-surf have at one point in our lives been really skunked on a surf trip.  I can remember one trip to Puerto Rico in the dead of winter and seeing it dead flat for a solid week.  Yes, that is the exception but it sure makes you appreciate when a trip really comes together.   

I put off delaying the inevitable and today vacuumed out the sand from my luggage and put it away.  I only have three weeks until I leave for our Adult Caribbean Surf Camp but I’m sure it was getting old just sitting by the TV in our living room. At least the weather has been warm here in Wrightsville Beach, NC since my return but a cold front is moving in tonight and it will be cold in the morning.  I have not surfed since getting back as it has nothing worth getting wet for in comparison to the warm water perfection and 6 hours a day we were spending in the water.  I need to scrape the tropical wax off my Merrick and get some cold water wax back on and hope for a swell some time this week.I am going to try to put together some video clips of our trip.  We have some pretty funny footage of us zip lining and getting salsa dance lessons form our good friend, Raffa.  I am also going to make sure we get our pictures posted in the photo gallery so you can check out our trip. 

Sitting here on a Sunday night, I am wondering when the new season of 24 will be returning.  Not that I am a huge TV fan but that show is the best on television and I am really missing it.  I am also looking forward to the new season of Entourage and my boy Vinny Chase and crew! Until then I will have to be content with my daily Tivo of Jim Cramer and my FUEL TV.      

-Rick

To make the most of our last full day in Costa Rica, our plan was to surf a beautiful horseshoe cove called La Finka.  At daybreak, we loaded both the vans up for the scenic ride south past Avellanas and Little Hawaii to this secret spot.  When we pulled up to this pristine black sand beach lined with palm trees, I almost couldn’t believe my eyes.  Not only was the scenery gorgeous, but the surf was epic.  NO WAY, WERE WE REALLY THE ONLY PEOPLE ON THIS WHOLE BEACH? ???

The clients really stepped up to the plate today.  With the surf in the three to five foot range, Rick, Jenn and I decided it was a perfect opportunity to help the clients paddle into some  stomach to shoulder high rights and lefts.

Two moments from today really stick out in my mind, 1) Seeing Moe drop into an overhead bomb, with the whole beach cheering him on (keep in mind, we were the only ones on the beach) and 2)  Eileen cruising down the line on a head high left on her Hobie.

When we finally couldn’t possibly paddle any more our local guides told us about an excellent restaurant in Marbella, that happened to be on our way home.  We sat around large tables, reminiscing over the waves we each caught that morning and enjoying the local cuisine the restaurant had to offer.

With our final surf session wrapped up, it was time for graduation and the awards ceremony.  Along with great food, cold drinks and good company, diplomas were handed out, jokes were told and fun was had by all.  We ended the night with a slide show of pictures from the whole week.  Another great day in Costa Rica to round out an amazing week.  As a surfer who has done a good amount of traveling, I can honestly say that the conditions and waves could not have been any more ideal for everyone.  I am now counting the days untill Tortola!

- Doug

 After surfing Avellanas earlier in the week, I was excited to take the whole group back there for a full day of lessons, surfing and fun at our Costa Rica Surf Camp.  We couldn’t have asked for better conditions.  The long period swell was well-groomed, in the waist-stomach high range and reeling both left and right.  Rick, Jenn, and I were busy coaching many of the clients into more waves then they knew what to do with.  As an instructor, it was a perfect day… crystal clear warm water, perfect waves, fun clients and beautiful scenery.  When everyone was good and worn out, we strolled up the beach to a really cool restuarant and bar that had amazing smoothies. and a huge pig named LOLA:)

In the afternoon, Louis, Kari, Paula, Moe, and John went horseback riding, while several other clients including myself took salsa lessons.  I had an absolute blast and really felt like I might have gotten the hang of it… maybe my partner, Kathy, will disagree. Haha. 

Steve found a restaurant that he was really excited for us to try that was on the top floor of a building overlooking the whole town and the bay.  I thought their menu was really unique for Costa Rica because it had a Spanish, Lebanese and Italian food.– GOOD CHOICE STEVE!

-Doug