Extreme Sports

For those lucky enough to live near a coastal section of the USA, there can be no better activity than paddling out beyond the breakers, turning around, catching the best wave, and riding it back to the shore balancing on a surfboard. Surfing is not a recent sport. It is believed that the Polynesians were the first to use a simple surfboard, approximately 500 years ago, when traveling among the islands in the Pacific. References to surfing were even found in Captain Cook’s journals written when his travels took him to Hawaii. Since then, surfing has become a major sport around the world. However, those who live near the waves are not the only ones who dream of learning to surf. For those without access to any body of water, there is another option. Many of the best surfing spots around the world are now opening surf camps, allowing beginner to advanced surfers to learn the sport no matter where they come from. One area well known for its abundance of accessible beaches and waves is Costa Rica. Because of the varied coastline, this island has waves perfect for beginners to learn the basics as well as for the very experienced to improve their skills. In the past, if one wanted to learn to surf, he/she was his/her own teacher and learned by experimenting. But now, there is a better way to learn. In Montezuma, Costa Rica, there is a unique school, La Escuela Del Sol. When attending this Costa Rica Surf School as part of one’s education/vacation, learning does not always take place inside in the classroom. In addition to the opportunity to take Spanish classes for college credit, the school also gives surfing lessons for all levels. By attending this Costa Rica Surf School, this tropical island offers perfect conditions for all who wish to work on their surfing skills, in addition to expanding their knowledge of the Spanish language. Beginning surfers can work on their new skills at Playa Grande, a beach which is a short walk from the Costa Rica Surf School in Montezuma. With its soft, rock free bottom, as well as water that is not very deep, one can practice without being afraid of wiping out and feeling trapped under the water. When attending this Costa Rica Surf School, those surfers who are more advanced can take part in the Surfing Safari. These surfers are taken to areas with the best waves each day, either by jeep, or at times, by speed boat. There are five sites where one can surf, depending on the type of waves desired. Three of these sites are even kept secret in order to avoid crowds. There is no Costa Rica Surf School that can compare to La Escuela Del Sol. From Spanish lessons to surfing lessons, along with the natural beauty throughout the island, this school allows one to obtain a unique education not available anywhere else.  Read more...

Surfing may seem to appear as a sporting event whose value is commensurate to the fun it gives. However, since the late 50′s, it has become a serious sport event for many people. As a matter of fact, it can never be related to beach bums just like before. Now you hear of professional surfers who earn millions just by riding on beautiful waves. Because of this, you would find men and women who are taking a surf lesson with the intent of a senior college student. You can enroll simply by merely going to a popular surfing spot. However, you have to carefully select your surfing school. Consider only those that have lessons for pros.

You should make sure, if the surf school you are in is duly recognized by professional surfing organizations. If it isn’t accredited, you are running the risk of being given a substandard surf lesson. This will be such a huge waste of time and money. Worse thing is that you are to end up being a little better than what you were. The pros will only shrug off your surfing as that of a first time surfer on his surf board. One major guarantee you can have is to hire a popular surfing pro as your instructor. Season count and location matter a lot to those that are high quality surf schools. Thus, you must not consider at all of enrolling at a surfing school at the beaches that don’t offer a good surf. If you aim to develop professional surfing skills in due time then don’t be satisfied with those unchallenging waves. Enroll yourself in a surf school that can truly bring out the professional surfer in you by allowing you to try more challenging waves like the dumpers. Of course, you should try at first the smaller rolling waves but as soon as you have honed your skills with it then you should venture off into more difficult ones.  Read more...

When you go surfing, no matter how expert you are there are fundamental things you have to think of all the time. Below are five things that you must know when you go surf wave:

Always be cordial to the local surfers- Many of us are passionate about the hobby and would like to spread this knowledge. This goes for any hobby but most especially for those with tight knit communities. Many surfers are more than willing to teach you the ins-and-outs of surfing, the tides of your local beach, how to paddle out without being pounded to a sandbar and the courtesy involved with the sport. If you are a starter, ask for help.

Buy the right board for your area – if your area has extremely small surf wave, don’t buy short boards. Short boards have the tendency to plow through the water which makes it hard for you to catch small waves. Small boards often feature a stomp pad on the back which is used in extremely tight maneuvers such as cutbacks. When you are unsure about the board you must get, ask the surf-shop employees of your local shop.

Make use of wax that’s suitable to your conditions- This is significant. One of the most frustrating things is to be out in the water and start slipping off the board because you used the wrong wax. Typically, there are two types of wax. Cold water wax can be softer and stickier than wax for the warm water. If your water is cold enough that this type of wax will not melt in the sun, use it. Warm weather can pose a problem to the cold water wax because of its low melting point and it will run off the board which makes your fiberglass board slippery making you fall off the board every time you try to stand on it.  Read more...

When you go surfing, no matter how expert you are there are fundamental things you have to think of all the time. Below are five things that you must know when you go surf wave:

Always be cordial to the local surfers- Many of us are passionate about the hobby and would like to spread this knowledge. This goes for any hobby but most especially for those with tight knit communities. Many surfers are more than willing to teach you the ins-and-outs of surfing, the tides of your local beach, how to paddle out without being pounded to a sandbar and the courtesy involved with the sport. If you are a starter, ask for help.

Buy the right board for your area – if your area has extremely small surf wave, don’t buy short boards. Short boards have the tendency to plow through the water which makes it hard for you to catch small waves. Small boards often feature a stomp pad on the back which is used in extremely tight maneuvers such as cutbacks. When you are unsure about the board you must get, ask the surf-shop employees of your local shop.

Make use of wax that’s suitable to your conditions- This is significant. One of the most frustrating things is to be out in the water and start slipping off the board because you used the wrong wax. Typically, there are two types of wax. Cold water wax can be softer and stickier than wax for the warm water. If your water is cold enough that this type of wax will not melt in the sun, use it. Warm weather can pose a problem to the cold water wax because of its low melting point and it will run off the board which makes your fiberglass board slippery making you fall off the board every time you try to stand on it.  Read more...

Surfers have been going to Costa Rica for years now. There are lots of factors why Costa Rica has been a very popular destination for the surfer. Costa Rica is extremely stable, people are warm and friendly, prices are affordable, the nation is clean, and the swells are great. Costa Rica has been the steady and secure nation for vacations in Latin America. In addition to it being a nice secure spot to visit, there have been numerous stories of surfing tours to Costa Rica in surfing journals and surfing videos featuring waves like Tamarindo, Playa Hermosa, and Pavones to name a few.

Tourism has not been a substantial industry in El Salvador previously. This has translated to little being understood in regards to the surf in the area. Surfing in El Salvador has been mostly unheard of by most surfers and views of El Salvador bring thoughts of the prior war and issues with safety. It is over ten years since the war and El Salvador has been investing in roads and national infrastructure. Their governing administration has also been wiping out the crime difficulties from the past. One other point unknown to the majority of surfers is that the surfing in El Salvador is world class.

The country of El Salvador is filled with right hand point breaks. I just read through an article contrasting El Salvador to the coastline of Santa Barbara with the swell window of Mexican Pipeline and thought to myself that this was appropriate. There are plenty of waves comparable in level of quality to waves like Rincon however with much less crowds and open to much bigger swells. El Salvador is set facing directly south so has got the top swell window in Latin America for southerly swells. In our summer season, it is usual to get surf in the 4-8 ft. range and even bigger on significant days. Surf spots like Punta Roca, La Bocana, and Punta Mango are among the most popular and produce lengthy point waves. Additionally, there are a great many other surf spots local to the area of great quality.  Read more...