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Surfing in Costa Rica

   April 18th, 2016   Posted In: Articles   Tags:

When I signed up for a yoga retreat in Costa Rica, one of the activities was surfing. “Okay – cool – I can do this” I thought when I sent the rest of my deposit in. Did I mention I’ve never surfed before?

I am an uncoordinated individual. Sports weren’t and still aren’t my jam and I usually got picked next to last (thanks to the mercy of my friends) for the kickball team in gym class. Faced with the thought of surfing in Costa Rica surrounded by fellow yoga retreaters who I’ve never met before was intimidating.

On day three of the retreat, we were in Tamarindo Beach and it was the first day of surfing lessons. I decided that a mojito was more appealing than looking like a fool on a surfboard. After my third mojito and round of chips and guacamole, my new-found yoga friend and I decided to check on the brave souls working it in the water. Everyone looked like they were having a blast. The best part was that no one was graceful or a professional at it, they were genuinely having fun even when a wave thrashed them!

Surfing in Tamarindo Beach in Costa Rica.

Yep, that’s me!

After our yoga practice and breakfast the next morning, we had another surf lesson. I could’ve thrown back another mojito or two (hey, it was vacation) but I decided to just suck it up and get my toosh on that board. There were about four of us who participated in surfing that day. We put our rash guards on (the water was super warm so a wetsuit wasn’t needed) and walked on the beach carrying our long boards and found a spot to practice surfing form.

They showed us how to paddle and how to get up on our board. I hopped up on the surfboard and thought, yep, I totally got this. No big deal.

When we got in the ocean, I laid on my board and paddled out to the instructors. I started to get nervous the more we paddled away from the shore. I mean, I was already 75% there though, might as well go the rest of the 25%, right? So I continued to paddle.

Well, guess who got to the best spot before everyone else and had no choice but to grab the first wave of the day? This lucky lady right here.

To be honest, I don’t remember much of what happened at that moment. I remember seeing a small-ish wave coming towards me. I remember hearing some encouraging words in the background from the instructor and my fellow yogis. I definitely remember hoping that my swim bottoms didn’t fall down in front of everyone during the surfing process. But then it hit me – get up and just freaking try it, Lauren.

I paddled and paddled and replayed in my head how to get up on the board. Before I knew it, the wave was right on the end of my board. The roar of the ocean and my fast heartbeat were distracting, but I vaguely heard someone yell to get up. So I did. And do you know what happened next? This:

That’s right – I rode the wave! I got it on my very first attempt ever at surfing. ‘Holy crap, I’m surfing,’ I thought. I couldn’t believe it. Everyone around was cheering me on and I was on a whole other level of awesome.

My high was short lived though after I realized I was approaching the shore. Huh, we didn’t really talk about how to get off the board. So I kind of just awkwardly jumped and fell into the shallow ocean.

As I walked on shore soaking wet and carrying my surfboard, I came to the realization that that wasn’t so bad after all. After getting out there two more times, my legs and lungs were ready to call it a day. That’s when it was time to sit in the sand, take in the Costa Rica sun, and go grab a fresh mojito.

Lauren (LoLo) has been turning words into blog posts for Wetsuit Wearhouse since 2014. She learned to surf for the first time ever in Costa Rica but she gravitates more towards SUP. When she's not scouring the web for travel deals, you can find her either hiking, running, gardening, tending to her animals, or reading a good book outside on a beautiful day.

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7 Comments

  • Al says:

    Hi LoLo / Team,
    I am 59 and overweight. I always snorkel on top of the water and never had a wetsuit. I will be going to the Big Island this Feb and according to what I can find water temp is between 73-78 F and thinking I may need one for this trip – not sure of thickness and suit size. What do you recommend? Is a two piece better for my size?
    Height 66″
    Weight 245 #
    Chest 51″
    Waist 51″
    Hips 47″
    Neck 16″
    Inseam 28.5″

    Thanks,
    Al

  • Laura Lister says:

    Can you advise me? I am 78 years old and find my pool a bit too cold. I would like to purchase a wet suit jacket that is very flexible and easy to swim and do aerobics in. Since swimming helps arthritis, movement is very important. I do not do straight laps, but various exercises worked into a lap. Also – I am overweight so I do not want anything “sexy”.

    What do you think?

    • Crysta Goff says:

      I’m going to send you a private email, Laura. (:

    • John Gross says:

      Hi make sure it has a full zipper they can be hard to get off at your age,you dont want a full suit or a pull over that you may need helping getting on and off,i just checked ebay theres a xxxl camo jacket full zipper,25$bid 15 shipping.looks new.
      And you can use as out of water jacket if its super cold.they really hold heat in shockingly so.
      Because of how hard they are to remove you might want to start with hood gloves and feet.try searchs like neoprine gloves socks hood.jacket check ebay cheap.also thift stores often have wetsuits for like 20$

  • Marco says:

    Hello,

    I read your blog in a quick and non efficient way. I didn’t find the answer I was looking for. I found your views very interesting, points are great too, thank you for your post. It helped me understand a little into what I was looking for. I hope you carry on with your views and different ways of wording your initial subject/subjects. Enjoy reading your book in hot summer days, it’s when you’re most alive in the most ways you can be.

    Regards,
    Marco

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