La puntuación máxima estuvo a cargo del deportista brasileño Alan Saulo. A lo largo de cuatro días el joven logró sumar un total de 14,33 puntos. Con ellos se impuso ante el costarricense Jason Torres (12 puntos) en la categoría abierta. El tercer puesto lo obtuvo Anthony Fillingim, también de Costa Rica.
La última etapa fue un duelo «a muerte» con tal de obtener el galardón. El tico dio todo en el agua, pero se quedó corto ante la imponencia de los movimientos del triunfador.
El brasileño alcanzó la última instancia con el ánimo a tope. Anteriormente se había medido con el argentino Martín Passeri, a quien también dejó en el camino. Luego hizo lo propio con Fillinguin, que a la postre se contaba entre los favoritos.

En declaraciones a la Federación de Surf, Saulo se mostró impresionado por sus logros. «Después de mucho tiempo que tengo corriendo el ALAS Latin Tour, finalmente pude ganar una fecha aquí en Costa Rica». Y agregó: «Para serte sincero, este es el último lugar donde pensé que iba a ganar, el nivel de los ticos es impresionante».
«Fue una gran competencia, durante todos los días tuve que pelear y hacer mi mejor surf y finalmente hoy llegó el premio», comentó. De tal manera, Saulo se hizo acreedor de 2,5 millones de colones (5.000 dólares estadounidenses). Esta es la mayor suma que un atleta latinoamericano puede ganar en una justa deportiva en nuestro país. Asimismo, obtuvo 6 mil puntos que le permitirán colocarse en los primeras posiciones de las tablas clasificatorias.
Por su parte, el subcampeón Torres subrayó el «nivel impresionante» del vencedor. Reconoció que pese a su gran esfuerzo por hacerse con el título, su arrojo fue insuficiente al medirse con el sudamericano. Concluyó: «ahora mi prioridad va a ser entrenar más (sic)».

Este año tuvo la innovación de contar con más divisiones. Así, en la categoría júnior (sub 21), los cuatro puestos más importantes estuvieron en manos de Noe Mar McGonagle (Costa Rica), Yrvin Santos (Brasil), Anthony Fillingim (Costa Rica) y Luam Wood (Brasil).
En la sección de damas, descollaron Valeria Solé (Perú), Leinani McGonagle (Costa Rica), Nataly Bernold (Costa Rica) y Malanie (Perú). Finalmente, en longboard los más destacados fueron Ronald Reyes (Venezuela), Anthony Flores (Costa Rica), Carlos Rojas (Costa Rica) y Francisco Domínguez (Venezuela). Por tercer año consecutivo, los organizadores escogieron Santa Teresa como sede del evento. Las dos razones principales para esta selección son la calidad de las olas que hay en la zona durante el mes de abril y la gran acogida de parte del hotel Playa Carmen, que es el centro de hospedaje de los participantes.

También hay que resaltar que en esta zona se localiza una de las mejores escuelas de esta práctica. Del Mar Surf Camp cuenta con recintos tanto en esta playa como en Nosara y en Jacó. Tienen la infraestructura necesaria para enseñarle todo lo necesario sobre esta disciplina. Asimismo, pueden mostrarle otras actividades como el surf de remo, el yoga o el senderismo. Venga y compruebe por sí mismo las razones que los han hecho sostenerse por más de 10 años.

Por: Andrés Figueroa.

Really get away from your daily routine of life, have fun on an adventure, experience new places, make new friends, create family memories that will last a lifetime. A family surf vacation is not only active and healthy; you and your kids also will learn a new culture and language.

Top Costa Rica surf school, Del Mar Surf Camp, offers a Family Surf Vacation Package for adventurous families who want to try something new or get better at surfing together. The vacation package for 4 is designed for a family with two adults and two kids, or one adult and three kids; children must be age 13 or under. Larger families and teens are more than welcome, just contact Del Mar for a group quote. Best of all, Family Surf Vacation Packages are always available – just ask for the dates you want.

Called the “Hawaii of Latin American surfing,” Costa Rica is one of the world’s top surfing destinations with its warm water, consistent surf year-round, over 700 miles of coastline between both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, and literally thousands of beach breaks with easy access. On the Pacific Coast you have the added plus of river mouth breaks, and on the Caribbean Coast you get great reef breaks.

Costa Rica’s extra draw is its amazing nature, like active volcanoes, lush rainforest and cloud forest, jungle wildlife, and plenty of other adventure sports and activities. For instance, Del Mar Surf Camp’s Family Surf Vacation Package includes a canopy zipline tour – a relaxing day of laughter and fun for the family to enjoy.

Family Surf Vacations are held at Del Mar Surf Camp’s headquarters at Hermosa Beach on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast, just south of the fun beach town of Jacó.

The popular beach, with its consistent surf, variety of breaks and great exposure to swells, is famous with top surfers from all over the globe. Its shore break is one of the strongest in the world and is Del Mar’s advanced surfing beach; but just a 5-minute drive away is the south end of Playa Jacó where beginners learn to surf in gentle and easy waves. These beaches have a fun and casual community and family-friendly atmosphere, catering to tourists who want a nice relaxing time, with easy access to all local attractions, hotels, restaurants and shopping.

The Family Surf Vacation Package includes daily surf lessons with bilingual instructors, daily breakfast and lunch, the canopy zipline tour, roundtrip airport transfer, private accommodations for 4, professional surfing photography, and a Del Mar Surf Camp souvenir gift. Accommodations are located either beachfront or close to the beach.

Each beginner surf lesson will have a 2 to 1 instructor to student ratio for two to three hours, meaning you and your kids will always get the undivided attention you deserve with maximum safety. In all surf packages, Del Mar uses only high quality epoxy long boards, and also have soft tops available. Bilingual instructors are certified in CPR, Water Rescue, ISA and First Aid.

Del Mar Surf Camp specializes in Costa Rica surf vacation packages for beginners, intermediate and advanced surfers, women only trips, family and group vacations, yoga-surf retreats, stand-up paddle programs, and day surf lessons. Besides Hermosa Beach, Del Mar Surf Camp offers other programs at Nosara Beach on the Guanacaste Pacific Coast, and Santa Teresa Beach on the Pacific’s southern Nicoya Peninsula. Domestic flights and ground transfers to all of Del Mar’s locations are included in all surf vacation packages.

By Shannon Farley

La propietaria de la cafetería y heladería Robin’s, Robin Lance, aseguró estar impresionada por la idea: «Aprecio la creatividad de la gente resuelta que vino hasta aquí para mejorar la seguridad». Explicó el motivo por el cual se involucró en la actividad: «Estoy en mi negocio todo el tiempo, por lo cual así es como puedo apoyar los esfuerzos de la comunidad». Otros propietarios hicieron eco en el sentir de Lance mientras preparaban los platos que se presentaron.

Cada chef hizo una elección libre según su parecer, gustos e intereses. Por ejemplo, Fabián Piguet ─del Café de París─, llevó arroz con pollo y ceviche. Aunque afirmó que esperaba que los cocineros nacionales fueran mejores con la comida típica, «esta es una buena iniciativa para que los restaurantes colaboremos con los bomberos». Eduardo López, quien ha sido el encargado de la alimentación en Casa Tucán por más de 10 años, apostó por lo mismo que Piguet. Eso sí, hizo hincapié en que el secreto de su producto era «el cocinero».

Robin Lance dio su aporte en forma exótica y no tradicional. Lo llama «Botes de amor de la India», una merienda muy popular durante el sétimo aniversario su comercio. Explicó que se comienza con una cama de coco deshidratado. Luego, se aplican capas de humus indio, que ella hace con tahina y especias. Se continúa con zanahoria deshidratada y condimentada, para luego agregarle col verde salado con aceite de oliva. El toque final del «bote de amor» es yogur con menta o albahaca, según el humor del momento.
«La idea es que usted muerda y sienta las capas de sabor», aseguró. «Es mi receta ─continuó─ aunque está inspirada en mi amiga Chelah Carty».
El cocinero del restaurante Reef, Yamil Matarrita, también apostó por algo diferente: el burrito Reef. Entre los ingredientes se pueden encontrar: pollo, queso cheddar, aguacate, natilla, frijoles negros refritos, aceitunas y una salsa de tomate especial.

María Ester Rodríguez Castillo, del Giardino Tropical, preparó ceviche. Por su parte, el administrador del Pacífico Azul, Carlos Sibaja, explicó que su platillo fue la famosa tártara de atún: «es como ceviche pero hecha de atún y muy fácil de elaborar». El Gilded Iguana se decidió por algo práctico y fresco: un burrito de lechuga tailandesa.
Por otro lado, el personal Il Peperoni hizo que los presentes degustaran arroz con leche.

Remo Britshgi, de Casa Romántica, ─quien además es miembro de la fuerza de bomberos─, deleitó con camarones asados envuelto en jamón. Aseguró que «deben ser del tamaño de una “boca”. Son sabrosos y con dimensiones de “boquita”». Recalcó la importancia de la actividad para su brigada.

El anfitrión Marlin Bill’s preparó su especialidad: carne asada en rodajas con salsa de rábano picante. Según el dueño, ellos ya habían participado en eventos similares anteriormente y vaticinó que este «solo va a hacerse más grande y mejor».

Joellen Hughef, directora de la actividad, mencionó que el evento «es una idea extraordinaria. Me gustaría verla el año entrante con unas instalaciones de cocina apropiadas para preparar todo en el mismo lugar».

El evento se extendió durante solo dos horas, desde las 12:00 m.d. hasta las 2:00 p.m. Sin embargo, usted puede ir a Nosara durante el resto de días del año. Así podrá disfrutar de este hermoso pueblo a orillas del Pacífico norte de Costa Rica. Más allá de una enorme oferta culinaria; también encontrará relajación y actividades de ocio. En ese sentido, las clases y campamentos de Del Mar Surf Camp son una opción única. Tras años de experiencia y cientos de clientes satisfechos, tienen certeza de que les enseñarán a todos a surfear.
¡Conozca Nosara y descubra el significado de la dolce vita!

Por: Andrés Figueroa

In the past, surfing used to be an expensive hobby enjoyed only by the rich. Today, surfing can be enjoyed by everyone and surf holidays need not be expensive for us to enjoy. Cheap flights and cheap hotels have made it possible for us to enjoy the cheapest holidays in incredible surfing destinations like Costa Rica and Bali without breaking the bank.

When surfing, the right surfwear and surf gear can make a huge difference. Poor quality surfwear generally uses cheaper fabrics that can become incredibly heavy when wet. These fabrics can make it harder to stand up on a board. Poor quality surfboards can make it harder to surf, too, as they normally have poor weight distribution and poor build quality.

This article will list three of the best and most reliable surfwear and surf gear brands in the world today.

#1 – Rip Curl

Founded in 1969 in Torquay, Australia, Rip Curl’s founders, Doug Warwick and Brian Singer, set out with the goal to make the best surf gear possible. They initially started by making surfboards but eventually started to produce wet suits and other pieces of surfing apparel, too. Today, Rip Curl is one of the biggest and most popular surfwear and surfboard brands in the world.

Rip Curl produce a variety of surfboards in a multitude of different styles. Whether you prefer fish style boards, gun style boards, longboards, or shortboards, Rip Curl has a surfboard for you.

Arguably Rip Curl’s best product, however, is their Flashbomb Wet Suit. Recent recipient of the 2012 Sima Image Award for ‘best wet suit’, the Flashbomb is an essential purchase for any surfing enthusiast. Made from a special fabric called ‘E3 Neoprene’, the Flashbomb is the quickest drying wet suit ever made. The Flashbomb’s fabric is also incredibly flexible and insulating of heat allowing for long surfing sessions in colder waters.

#2 – Billabong

Billabong, like Rip Curl, was founded in Australia. Its two co-founders, Rena Merchant and Gordon Merchant, sought out to create great surf gear at great prices. They succeeded and Billabong quickly grew to become one of the biggest and most popular surfing brands in the world selling surfboards, surf apparel, and wet suits.

Generally, Billabong’s wet suits are of a high quality. While they are unable to match the high bar set by Rip Curl’s Flashbomb, they are still great products that normally cost considerably less than Rip Curl’s offerings.

Billabong’s surfboards are also of excellent quality, too, with eye catching designs and excellent build quality.

Where Billabong truly shine, however, is the quality of their surf apparel. Their surf clothing, in particular their boardshorts, is widely considered to be amongst the best in the world due to its high quality and eye catching designs.

#3 – O’Neill

O’Neill, unlike Rip Curl and Billabong, was founded in the United States.

Its founder, Jack O’Neill, opened the first O’Neill surf shop on the Great Highway in San Francisco. Initially, he only sold handmade wet suits made from neoprene rubber. Over time, as the company grew in popularity, he started to produce surfboards, swimsuits, boardbags, and more under the O’Neill name.

O’Neill, to this day, is still one of the best wetsuit manufacturers in the world. Their wet suits are all well designed, flexible, lightweight, and remarkably affordable. They are perfect for novices and experts alike.

O’Neill has also built itself a reputation for producing other high quality products, too. Their apparel, in particular, has won countless awards for its eye catching designs and general high quality. They also produce a number of high quality accessories, including a range of excellent surf leashes.

Conclusion

Getting the right surf gear is important as poor quality gear can make it much harder to surf.

Each of the three surf companies listed above have stood the test of time and become some of the most recognized and well respected surf brands in the world, and for good reason. All of their products are high quality, well designed, and affordably priced. Make sure to keep an eye out for them when shopping for surf gear in the future.

A young athlete needs to be fueled by eating proper types of foods – carbohydrates for fuel (whole grains, fruits and vegetables); calcium for maintaining muscle tissue and bone strength, and protection against stress fractures; and iron (protein: lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, soy, peanut butter) to restore red blood cells and the body’s iron that is depleted from sweating, according to nutritional reports. Iron also helps red blood cells transport oxygen throughout the body, giving teens energy. Signs of weakness and quick fatigue usually mean a shortage of iron in the diet.

Nutrition plays a key role in athletic performance. Failure to provide the proper nutrition, fluids, vitamins and minerals that young athletes need will result in poor performance and an increased risk for injury and/or illness, according to nutritional reports. More than any other age group, teens need a lot of energy. Energy comes from calories, and on a daily basis teenage boys need about 2,500 to 3,000 calories, whereas teenage girls need about 2,200 calories. The good news is that most teens have no problem acquiring them. However, parents should note how the calories are being consumed. A bag of potato chips with a super-size soda will add calories quickly, but fatty snacks and sugary soda drinks contain very little nutrients. On the other hand, 3-5 cups of fruits and veggies a day will ensure that every young athlete is fueled and hydrated for optimal health and performance.

How Much to Eat and When

Make sure your young athletes are well-fed before training sessions. They should eat a well-balanced meal that contains 75-200 grams of carbohydrates, 2-4 hours before training or competition. Replacing carbohydrates that were used during exercise, within 2 hours afterward, is essential for a speedy recovery and preparing for the next athletic training period. The post-exercise meal should contain approximately 150 -200 grams of carbohydrates.

Keeping Young Athletes Hydrated

Young athletes often have an increased risk for dehydration and various heat illnesses. The higher energy expenditure of young athletes means that they produce more metabolic heat, and they may not sweat as efficiently as older athletes and thus not cool their bodies as effectively. Young athletes also may not pay attention to drinking enough fluids, and their body core temperature during dehydration tends to increase faster. For these reasons it is essential that young athletes be encouraged to drink frequently even when they are not thirsty.

Warning Signs of Dehydration

• Thirst
• Irritability
• Headache
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Cramps
• Nausea
• Decreased performance

Guidelines for Optimal Hydration

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) provides the following guidelines to maintain optimal hydration:

Before Exercise: 16 – 20 full ounces within 2 hours prior to exercise.

During Exercise: 4 – 6 full ounces.

Post Exercise: replace 24 full ounces for every one pound of body weight lost during exercise.

NOTE: There are many beverage choices, but the best source of hydration is still good old-fashioned water. The problem is getting your young athlete to drink that much. If you can couple your hydration and nutrition efforts, eating snacks like bagels, trail mix, dried fruit or pretzels, the combination will stimulate the athletes’ thirst and encourage them to drink more. Alternatively, sports drinks like Gatorade are designed to stimulate thirst, so the athlete only feels he/she needs to drink more, instead of being properly re-hydrated.

MEAL PLAN

Here is a good example of a meal plan for a teen athlete, from ehow.com:

Breakfast: breakfast burrito (large whole-grain tortilla filled with 2 scrambled eggs, 1/3 cup of cheese and 1/4 cup salsa); a fruit smoothie; and green tea or water.

Snack: 2 sticks of string cheese; 20 whole-grain crackers; 1 8-ounce glass of water; 1 8-ounce glass of carrot juice.

Lunch: chicken salad (romaine lettuce, 1 tomato, 1 carrot, 1/2 cucumber, 1/4 avocado, 6 oz. sliced chicken breast); 20 corn chips or a whole-grain roll; 1 8-ounce glass of skim milk; 1 8-ounce glass of water.

Snack: 1/2 cup hummus; 1-2 cups assorted cut veggies; 1 8-ounce glass of sparkling water; 1 8-ounce glass of pomegranate or cranberry juice.

Dinner: stir fry (6 oz. meat of choice, 2 cups veggies of choice, 3 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce, 2 tbsp. olive oil); 2 cups brown rice; 2 8-ounce glasses of sparkling water.

Snack or dessert: 1-1/2 cups sliced fruit; 3 tbsp. whipped cream; 12 almonds; 2 squares dark chocolate.

More links for nutritional guidelines and food suggestions for teen athletes:

http://www.parents.com/recipes/nutrition/kids/healthy-snacks-from-a-to-z/

http://www.bhg.com/recipes/healthy/eating/nutritional-guidelines-for-teens/

http://www.ayso104.org/parents/nutrition.html

Go for an active, athletic vacation in Costa Rica!

Spend your tropical vacation in Costa Rica improving your athletic skills learning to surf or picking up new techniques with Del Mar Surf Camp. The top Costa Rica surf school specializes in Costa Rica surf vacation packages, yoga-surf retreats and day surf lessons for adults, women-only and families. Del Mar Surfing Academy, its sister company, offers 7-night and 14-night surf and cultural/language immersion camps for teens.

With Del Mar Surf Camp, you will surf every day in warm water with locals who have surfed these waves their whole lives, plus learn to speak Spanish and enjoy area tours. Del Mar Surf Camp provides various packages for beginners/intermediate surfers, advanced surfers, women only, families and groups. Though there is a schedule, camp dates also are run on an “anytime you want” basis (discounts given for Saturday arrival).

Enjoy three top Costa Rica surf locations with Del Mar Surf Camp: Hermosa Beach on the Central Pacific Coast, Nosara Beach on the Guanacaste Pacific Coast, and Santa Teresa Beach on the Pacific’s southern Nicoya Peninsula. Del Mar Surf Camp offers Summer Specials packages, with great discounts, to celebrate their 10^th anniversary in 2013. Domestic flights and transfers to all of Del Mar’s locations are included in all surf vacation packages.

By Shannon Farley

El cuerpo se trabaja integralmente para mantener el equilibrio en la tabla. El agua da la resistencia, mientras que uno se impulsa mediante la torsión y la fuerza que se le da al remo. De tal forma, se mejora la flexibilidad y la movilidad de los músculos y tendones. De igual forma, se fortalece y tonifica el cuerpo, en particular los brazos superiores, la espalda y la resistencia cardiovascular. Otro de los valores agregados es que no solo es una manera de mejorar el rendimiento físico sino que también una forma de contemplar los paisajes cerca del mar.

Dada la creciente tendencia para adoptar este deporte, en la actualidad existen subdisciplinas. Así, se emplean distintas modalidades, tales como: tablas largas o cortas; remo en aguas tranquilas, larga distancia y un híbrido que mezcla el surf de remo con tablavela. Por eso, previo a la adquisición del equipo, asegúrese de que posee la condición física suficiente para emprender este tipo de recreación. Consulte a su médico antes de iniciar este o cualquier otro programa de ejercicio.

Cabe destacar que, en contraposición a otros deportes que requieren un gran esfuerzo por parte del participante, el surf de remo se adapta a las habilidades de cada uno de ellos. A diferencia del surf convencional –que necesita meses de entrenamiento para que un novato pueda ponerse de pie en una ola–, el conocimiento básico de esta nueva modalidad se aprende en una tarde. A partir de ahí, cada alumno puede avanzar su propio ritmo y según el cuerpo se lo permita. Este proceso es mucho más rápido si se practica en aguas serenas.
A continuación, encontrará una serie de consejos para que su práctica sea más sencilla.

Las tablas largas se utilizan sobre todo para las distancias extensas. La longitud de la tabla determina la cantidad de agua que se atraviesa tras cada empujón. Sin embargo, las tablas pequeñas son mejores por ser más ligeras y, en consecuencia, más fáciles de manipular. Ejercitarse en el mar es excelente para los surfistas más ávidos; mientras que los menos aventureros se divertirán más en lagos y afines.

Al igual que cualquier otra actividad en la vida, el perfeccionamiento del surf de remo requiere de su tiempo y dedicación. No obstante, una técnica correcta no es imprescindible para recrearse. Y es que a través de esta práctica no solo va a mejorar su salud, sino que además incrementará su disciplina y responsabilidad para lograr sus objetivos.

Espero que después de esta breve reseña, usted esté contagiado por la dinámica de esta disciplina. Explore las distintas clases de surf en Del Mar Surf Camp, la escuela con bases en Jacó, Nosara y Santa Teresa. Allí encontrará a los mejores expertos en el ámbito nacional (y, si tiene un poco de suerte, conocerá a una que otra personalidad de talla mundial). Evacúe sus dudas con respecto a accesorios, clases, eventos y demás. Aquí encontrará amigos quienes lo acompañarán en su nueva pasión.

Por: Andrés Figueroa

• A mix of sleet and snow, accompanied by lightning, made travel a mess in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metro area.
• A swath of snowfall from portions of Mississippi and northern Alabama/Georgia spreads through the Central Appalachians.
• Trees snap in Maryland due to ice accumulation.
• 3-6 inches of snow expected from Boston to Maine.
• Cold for most of Europe, snow in parts of Spain.
• Britain will have another very cold day with morning freezing fog patches and widespread frost and snow.
• China is experiencing unusual chills this winter with its national average temperature hitting the lowest in 28 years.
• Weather websites reported 3 C (37 F) in Toronto, 0 C (32 F) and 3 C (37 F) in Vancouver, Canada.

On the other hand, today’s weather on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast was 90 F (32 C) and sunny, and 80 F (27 C) at San Jose’s International Airport.

Sun, glorious sun – this time of year Costa Rica’s climate shines in its entire golden tropical summer splendor. Dry season is definitely in effect and not a drop of rain has been seen along the Pacific Coast or in the Central Valley in more than a month. In the mountains above 6,500 feet (2,000 meters), you get cooler temperatures than on the coast, but Costa Rica is unequivocally a tropical country. Situated between 8° and 11° northern latitude, Costa Rica is just above the equator.

Costa Rica occupies a privileged spot in the heart of Central America along the Pacific Ring of Fire – sound warm enough? Dense rainforests, volcanoes, beaches, exotic wildlife, rich tropical flora, and friendly people populate this wondrous country. It’s the third most popular destination for surfing after Hawaii and Indonesia. With 762 miles of coastlines spread along the Pacific and the Caribbean oceans, you get thousands of opportunities for warm water, balmy weather and excellent year-round waves.

Don’t just dream of sunshine. If you need a winter pick-me-up, seek Costa Rica’s “winter” sun to relax and chase winter blues away.

Del Mar Surf Camp will give you a holiday you won’t soon forget. The top Costa Rica surf school specializes in Costa Rica surf vacation packages, yoga-surf retreats and day surf lessons for adults, women-only and families. Its sister company, Del Mar Surfing Academy, offers 7-night and 14-night surf and cultural/language immersion camps for teens.

With Del Mar Surf Camp, you will surf every day in warm water with locals who have surfed the waves their whole lives, plus learn to speak Spanish and enjoy area tours. Del Mar Surf Camp provides various packages for beginners/intermediate surfers, advanced surfers, women only, families, groups and more. Though there is a schedule, camp dates also are run on an “anytime you want” basis (discounts given for Saturday arrival).

One of the best points is Del Mar Surf Camp has three locations, increasing your vacation choices, on Hermosa Beach on the Central Pacific Coast, Nosara Beach on the Guanacaste Pacific Coast and Santa Teresa Beach on the Pacific’s southern Nicoya Peninsula.

Del Mar Surf Camp offers Summer Specials packages, with great discounts, to celebrate their 10^th anniversary in 2013. Domestic flights and transfers to all of Del Mar’s locations are included in all surf vacation packages.

Getting to Costa Rica couldn’t be easier right now with daily flights from North America cities of Houston, Dallas, New York/Newark, Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles, Denver, Toronto on United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, Frontier Airlines, US Airways, TACA, Lacsa, and Copa Air. From Europe, Iberia, KLM, Air France, and British Airways fly to Costa Rica.

By Shannon Farley from Enchanting Costa Rica

If you live anywhere in the Americas, and most likely even in Europe, then you have heard the buzz about this Central American paradise. Maybe you’ve already visited and promised yourself you’d return. Maybe you’re still looking at websites and brochures, plotting your escape to a tranquil tropical beach. Wouldn’t it be nice, though, to have your own little slice of paradise and be able to come back again and again?

Tens of thousands of people from all over the world have made the jump to live in Costa Rica, whether permanently or part-time. The country has become a bit of a “melting pot” of colorful cultures over recent decades.

“Costa Rica is a great place to buy real estate at the moment because property values are going to maintain and steadily increase; the government is stable; the climate is great; there is an attraction here with the biodiversity for people from all over the world; and there are a lot of multinational investments,” commented Dennis Easters, co-owner and broker with Pure Life Development, full-service real estate agency specializing in sales and rentals in Costa Rica. Easters moved to Costa Rica from Florida nearly a decade ago for an international lifestyle, and wholeheartedly encourages others to do the same if that dream calls to them.

Easters reports that Costa Rica has become one of the hottest destinations for retirees from the United States and Canada over the past 10 years. Hugely popular websites such as WeLoveCostaRica.com, LiveInCostaRica.com and InternationalLiving.com attest to that.Coastal areas tend to be more popular with younger immigrants or those who actively seek the beach lifestyle, or as a vacation home investment.

“Costa Rica is a great investment for vacation rentals, because Costa Rica is a major tourist destination,” said Easters. “People realize they can rent a nice house all to themselves, with their own kitchen and private pool, for the same price as staying in a hotel. If you buy a house for a vacation rental, you can plan on having an 80% occupancy rate during high season from December to April.”

Jacó, Central Pacific Coast, Costa Rica

The popular beach town, with its consistent surf, fun beach-party atmosphere, well-developed infrastructure and new luxury condos, is one of the top beach destinations for foreigners moving to Costa Rica. The nearby world-class golf course, marina and resort community at Los Sueños Resort & Marina adds a posh level of luxury.

“Jacó is a great investment because it is so close to San Jose, only an hour on the Caldera Highway. Services and the community are well integrated between foreigners and Costa Ricans. It has a great variety of restaurants, new condo developments, and good social life,” commented Easters.

Famous with surfers from all over the globe, one of Jacó’s more attractive elements for new residents are its newly-built beachfront high-rise condominium developments. Most beachfront land in Costa Rica is concession property, whereas in Jacó the properties are fully titled, which is very attractive to buyers, explains David Karr, Daystar Properties sales representative in Jacó. The area is perfect for surfing and outdoors’ lifestyles, Karr said.

“Jacó and the Central Pacific remain one of the most desired areas for full-time living because of its central location and its amenities and services,” notes Karr. “With our warm temperatures and countless outdoor activities, the Jacó area is perfect for those looking for an active lifestyle. Here in Jacó you can walk downstairs, grab your surfboard, and go right into the water.”

Both Karr and Easters affirm that potential real estate buyers enjoy great opportunities now in Jacó. “Over the last 18 months, we are seeing buyers get good deals where people, due to economic conditions, needed to sell. There are definitely still opportunities, but if you’re thinking to buy, now is the time,” said Karr. Average prices for a two-bedroom, two-bath, fully furnished, beachfront condo is in the mid to high $200,000 range, according to Karr.

Nosara, Nicoya Peninsula, Guanacaste Coast, Costa Rica

Nosara, on Costa Rica’s Pacific Guanacaste coast, is a hidden paradise with no highways or even paved roads to bring in the masses. The cosmopolitan community there is known for its active and healthy lifestyles, natural diets, and its dedication to a slower, low stress, friends and family quality of life. Driving slowly on the dusty (or muddy) road into the area, you quickly notice that the community is composed of little hamlets of homes, small businesses and the occasional restaurant or hotel all hidden away in the jungle before the beach. More than half of the area is set aside for wildlife and preservation, including the Ostional Wildlife Refuge to protect breeding Olive Ridley and Leatherback sea turtles. The result is an abundance of monkeys and other wildlife.

Nosara’s pristine beaches – Playa Guiones, Playa Pelada, Playa Ostional and Playa Nosara – are perfect for those who want to get away from it all. Nosara is a praised surfing destination and home to a world-renowned yoga school. “Nosara has a big international community with residents from all over the world. It is off the beaten path, but it is unique in its isolation,” commented Easters. “There is the famous Nosara Yoga Institute, great surfing beaches and a relaxed atmosphere.”

Buying possibilities in the Nosara area include beach properties, coastal homes, hillside ocean-view homes and properties, and farm sales. Prices range from $65,000 for a hilltop lot to $1.89 million for a “spectacular ocean view villa,” according to Reef Realty, one of the main realtors in Nosara. You can easily find two-bedroom homes for under $200,000.

Santa Teresa, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

On the tip of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, Santa Teresa Beach exudes an enchanting energy that will entrance you from the second you arrive. Renowned for being one of the top 10 beaches in the world, Santa Teresa’s natural beauty flaunts jungle that hugs the coastline, pouring down from coastal mountains to light sand beaches and crystal clear aquamarine sea.

You have to take a ferry from the mainland across the Nicoya Gulf to get to this area of the Nicoya Peninsula (or drive a really, really long way down from Guanacaste). “People like that because it keeps away the big crowds,” explains Bas Pecher, sales representative with Century 21 Beach Area Properties in nearby Playa Tambor. “A lot of people come to this area for its nature.” Close to Santa Teresa are the Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve and the Curú Wildlife Reserve.

The southern end of the Nicoya Peninsula lies in a nice middle zone between Costa Rica’s rainy southern Pacific Coast and the dry northern Guanacaste Coast. Epic surf and picture-perfect sunsets are its hallmark. “A lot of people have bought in this area for the surfing – the surfing is awesome. Also the laid-back feeling in this area is nice. It’s still not developed,” said Pecher. “And our sunsets are amazing!”

Pecher said that real estate sales in the area are picking up. “We have really high-end homes in the $600,000 up to $2.75 million range, down to quaint surfer’s cottages starting at $180,000 up to $260,000 with ocean views,” he said. “You can buy land and then build, or you can buy existing homes and vacation cottages. There are also gated residential communities.”

Once a sleepy fishing village, Santa Teresa is a fast-emerging tourism destination with a surprisingly diverse international community of native Costa Ricans, Israelis, Italians, North Americans, and everyone in between. “It’s a great place to buy an investment property for vacation rentals,” notes Pecher. “We have clients who come back every year to rent vacation homes.”

Check out Costa Rica on a Surfing Vacation

A great way to come check out Costa Rica’s real estate possibilities is on one of Del Mar Surf Camp’s Costa Rica surf vacation packages or yoga-surf retreats. Based on Hermosa Beach on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast, just south of the bustling beach town of Jacó, Del Mar Surf Camp specializes in surf vacations, yoga-surf retreats, and day surf lessons for adults, women only and families. They offer locations on Nosara Beach, Santa Teresa Beach and Hermosa/Jaco beaches, for beginners, intermediate or advanced surfers.

Del Mar Surf Camp offers new Summer Specials packages, with great discounts, to celebrate their 10^th anniversary in 2013. Domestic flights and transfers to all of Del Mar’s locations are included in all surf vacation packages.

By Shannon Farley from Enchanting Costa Rica

In today’s modern world, there is Business Coaching, Financial Coaching, Executive Coaching, Career Coaching, Expat & Global Coaching for those living and working in another culture, Personal Coaching, Health Coaching, and even Dating Coaching.

Now, here’s a new twist – Adventure Coaching. On Costa Rica’s surf-fringed Central Pacific Coast, at Hermosa Beach, surf school Del Mar Surf Camp is adding “Personal Coaching Sessions” to all of its surf vacations and surf programs.

“Adventures like surfing, or canopy tours, or even bungee jumping for instance, can create mental and emotional breakthroughs from the physical adventure,” said Life and Business Coach Paola Castro. “The environment of Playa Hermosa invites you to contemplate the abundance of life. It’s the perfect environment for these sessions. And if you’re faced with activities like surfing, you are physically challenging yourself.”

Castro, Costa Rica born and also a surfer, uses the activity of surfing as a metaphorical window into the person’s life. If they had a good day or a frustrating day … how does that show up in their life and work, she explains.

She calls the concept “Adventure Coaching”. “Coaching comes from high-performance athletes,” explains Castro. “Thirty years ago in the USA, executives said if high-performance athletes have coaches, why don’t executives in companies and people in their personal lives have coaches?”

Coaching is a teaching or training process in which an individual gets support while learning to achieve a specific personal or professional result or goal, according to Wikipedia. “Managing is making sure people do what they know how to do. Training is teaching people to do what they don’t know how to do. Mentoring is showing people how the people who are really good at doing something do it. Coaching is none of these – it is helping to identify the skills and capabilities that are within the person, and enabling them to use them to the best of their ability,” Wikipedia defines.

A Life Coach is an “advisor who helps people make decisions, set and reach goals, or deal with problems,” according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary. It is a practice that uses techniques from disciplines such as sociology, psychology, career counseling and positive development, to help people identify and achieve personal goals. The development of Personal Coaching, or Life Coaching, can be traced back to the early 1970s Human Potential Movement in the USA, and credited to the teachings of Werner Erhard’s “Est Training.” One of the most successful and well-known personal coaches in the United States is Tony Robbins, who has been coaching executives to celebrities for success for more than 30 years.

In celebration of Del Mar Surf Camp’s 10^th Anniversary in 2013, owner Maria del Mar said they want to give more to people and create vacations that are “transformational and empowering.”

“Coaching is a transformational process that will help you find the clarity and courage you need to start living the life you dream and deserve,” asserts Del Mar Surf Camp’s website. “It’s for anyone to achieve their goals, and also to help in any way they need,” Maria del Mar says.

Del Mar Surf Camp specializes in Costa Rica surf vacation packages, yoga-surf retreats and day surf lessons for adults, women only and families. They cater to beginners, intermediate or advanced surfers, with locations on Nosara Beach on the Guanacaste Pacific Coast, Santa Teresa Beach on the Pacific’s Nicoya Peninsula, and Hermosa Beach on the Central Pacific Coast. The Personal Coaching Sessions, led by Paola Castro, are an extra activity that participants can add on to “go beyond having just a traditional vacation,” says Maria del Mar. Personal Coaching will only be available at Del Mar’s Hermosa Beach location.

Hermosa Beach, just south of the bustling beach town of Jacó, is Del Mar Surf Camp’s headquarters. The popular beach, with its consistent surf, variety of breaks and great exposure to swells, is famous with advanced surfers from all over the globe. And, just a 5-minute drive away is the south end of Playa Jacó where beginners learn to surf in gentle and easy waves. A big plus is it’s only an hour’s drive away on paved roads from the capital city of San Jose and the international airport.

Castro will coach in 60-minute sessions, and can continue with follow-up sessions after a person returns home using Skype video calls. Coaching can focus on realizing dreams and goals, breaking free from fears, taking leaps of faith, reducing stress, improving health, etc. Castro gives practical steps for shaping behaviors to get results.

“The thing with coaching is you need to be responsible for creating the changes in your life,” said Castro. “A coach doesn’t tell you what to do. We use a Socratic method based on questions that stimulate the answers within you, because who else knows how better to live your life but yourself.”

Del Mar Surf Camp has created new Summer Specials packages, with great discounts, to celebrate their 10^th anniversary in 2013.

Maria del Mar’s message from her website:

“Thank you for 10 years of laughter and wipeouts, glassy rides and perfect waves, tears of frustration and tears of joy, new-found friendship and promises to see each other again. By teaching you, we have learned, and thanks to you, we have grown! With all of our gratitude and so much love, we’ve created new special packages for you, hoping to make surfing with us more accessible and therefore continue to share our passion. Simple, beachy, self-guided and affordable, introducing Pacifico, Swell, and Estrella de Mar surf packages. They all include beachfront accommodations, breakfast and surf lessons – all of the essentials to surf with us in Costa Rica, so you can pick your best fit.”

By Shannon Farley from Enchanting Costa Rica

Look your best and get the most stoke with the latest in surf fashion and gear. Check it out!

First, Costa Rica is positioned at approximately 9 degrees north latitude. That means our water is warm – averaging 26-30 C (79-85 F) all the time! No neoprene wetsuits, dry suits, hoods, boots or gloves needed here! You just need a cool pair of board shorts or a bikini.

Trending in world fashion all spring and summer this year was surf apparel. Quiksilver surf wear is still hot in all the fashion magazines for Fall 2012. When talking about surf wear, which is all about comfort and “laid-back” styles, you’ve got to know the Big Five: Quiksilver and Roxy, Billabong, Hurley, O’Neill and Rip Curl. Surfing News Daily tells us to go for a burst of bright color in flip flops to accessorize any summer outfit for your “just off the beach” surfer look.

Sun protection is a must, especially since Costa Rica is so near the equator. Make sure to use plenty of sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher and waterproof) and a lycra rashguard when out in the water; add a sun hat for the beach.

Try a new board. Surfer Magazine recommends trying a new board to give you a new challenge and mix up your regular surf routine. Firewire recently introduced their new “Sustainable Surfboards” that meet the “Ecoboard Project” benchmark from the environmental nonprofit organization Sustainable Surf. The “Enviroflex” boards are glassed with Entropy Super Sap epoxy resin made with 25% biologically-derived carbon, and are being released in 2012 in limited quantities; the main launch will be in 2013. Sustainable Surf is a nonprofit organization that promotes surfing as a global leader in sustainable lifestyles and business. The “Ecoboard Project” gives surfers the opportunity to buy high-performance surfboards made from the latest in “green technology” and recycled materials.

When not in the water, or to get ready for your big Costa Rica surf vacation, keep your surfing skills in shape on the Bamboo Series Skateboards by Arbor. Why is this cool? Bamboo is the world’s most sustainable “green” building materials. Bamboo produces more oxygen than most trees; the giant woody grass grows incredibly fast, maturing in only 3-5 years; it’s durable and strong and you don’t have to use pesticides to protect it; and bamboo decomposes into 100% reusable compost. Arbor Skateboards has 3 Bamboo models: Timeless, Fish and Axis.

Help plant trees in the rainforest in Costa Rica and Brazil when you buy Jameson 2 Eco shoes. The etnies brand top-selling shoe is big in the surf-skate-snowboard-BMX crowd. The low-top canvas shoe is part of etnies’ “Buy a Shoe, Plant a Tree reforestation program,” and is made using recycled rubber from old bike tires in the outsole and recycled plastic bottles in the PET shoe laces. The program is simple – for every pair of Jameson 2 Eco shoes sold, one tree gets planted. In Costa Rica, they’ve already planted 35,000 trees working with the nonprofit charitable organization La Reserve Forest Foundation and the Maleku indigenous tribe.

What do you do with leftover surfboard resin so it doesn’t end up in a landfill? If you’re Donna von Hoesslin, owner/designer of Betty Belts ocean-inspired jewelry and accessories, you turn it into wearable, durable and eye-catching jewelry. Each color stripe on the jewelry is excess resin from a surfboard made in Donna’s home of California, which means that every original handmade piece is connected to boards out there riding ocean waves. How cool is that?

Back to surf vacations! Go for the ultimate surf vacation experience in Costa Rica with Del Mar Surf Camp. Choose from three spectacularly beautiful locations – Nosara Beach on the Guanacaste Pacific Coast, Santa Teresa Beach on the Pacific’s Nicoya Peninsula, and Hermosa Beach on the Central Pacific Coast. Del Mar Surf Camp specializes in surf vacation packages, yoga-surf retreats and day surf camps for adults, women only and families. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or advanced surfer, enjoy an epic surf vacation in this rainforest paradise with Del Mar Surf Camp. Domestic flights and transfers to all of Del Mar’s locations are included in all surf vacation packages!

By Shannon Farley from Enchanting Costa Rica