by Tyrone Jackson
Surfers visiting Costa Rica for the first time often head to the well-known, heavily surfed areas on both coasts. These famous beaches have reliable and often crowded waves and since it’s where the professional surfers live, they’re the best, right?
While pro surfers Diego Naranjo and Alvaro Solano call Jacó home, Gilbert Brown hails from Limón. If you head to Tamarindo, you may see pro Federico Pilurzo in the line-up. All can be seen in national and international surf competitions. If you’re looking for a more local, low-key and less crowded scene, head across the Tempisque Bridge to the Nicoya Peninsula where local surfers participate in frequent competitions in Samara and Camaronal organized by local businesses; Las Olas Bar, C & C Surf Shop and School, and Camaronal Surf Camp to name a few.
These competitions draw surfers and a crowd from mostly Nosara, Playa Guiones, Garza, Sámara and Carrillo. The day long competition usually include Juniors, Mens and Longboard, proceeds donated to local schools. If you’re in town when there’s a competitions in Camaronal, get ready to dodge cows and take plenty of sun screen to prevent the black sand beach from sizzling your skin. Camaronal is a multidirectional breaking beach with dangerous waves that threaten any unsure surfer who makes a bad move. The last competition drew over 40 national contestants and the local school cooked and sold food and drinks to the large, festive crowd. Sámara native Choco Gomez took 2nd place.
Both Bar Las Olas and C-n-C Surf Shop and School have organized recent competitions in Sámara. Watching competitions here is like being invited to a party. Hot food is being sold, a cold drink is never hard to find, and the coconut tree-lined beach will keep you cool while enjoying the events. While waves in Samara are generally smaller than other beaches in the area, they move quickly making catching waves more difficult. A stand-out in these competitions has been Cristian from Garza. He has won the two previous competitions before the last one on September 17th with a combination of aerials, 360s and solid surfing.
Another area local, born and raised in Sámara and 1st place winner of the most recent local surf competition held on September 17th, James Flores, Sponsored by Jesse’s Original Samara Beach Surf School, had this to say:
1) How long have you been surfing? I’ve been surfing for 20 years. I started when I was 3 years old.
2) What or who is your inspiration for surfing and how long did it take until you felt like a good surfer? God is my inspiration. I don’t feel like I am a good surfer, I only feel like I know what I am doing. I don’t have vanity for being good or not good. Only I let the practice and the experience show my skills. Before I catch a wave I think like I am a “warrior”. The biggest wave was close to 20 feet, at a break south of here. I enjoy every second, carefully riding it knowing what can happen if I wipeout.
3) What do you feel about the quality of the surf competitions and judging in the Samara / Guiones area? I usually don’t compete because in the past it seems that those sponsoring the contest were those who would always win. But this competition I noticed the judges were not from the area, so I felt there was a good chance it would be fair. It is very important to have impartial judges in small town surf competitions.
4) What do you do when you are not surfing? I am a surf instructor, a personal trainer and give relaxing massages. I am the gym manager, and the top surf instructor at Jesse’s Original Sámara Beach Surf School and Gym. I speak English, which helps me in my work and I am learning German and Italian. In my free time I like to do Martial Arts and work out in the Gym. I love to design, paint and repair surfboards.
5) What are your plans for the future? I would like to get sponsored and become a professional surfer, so I can travel around the world. I want to finish my studies and get a career being an Architect.
6)What do you think is the future for surfing in this area? This area is growing, and I think Playa Sámara is the best place to learn to surf. The conditions are great for beginners. Playa Guiones is already a well-known break for advanced surfers and other spots like Tamarindo, Witches rock, Playa Negra, and Potrero Grande.
While you’re in the area, local surfers would recommend the following beaches for good waves.
Camaronal beach break, both right and left. Best when the tide is coming up or going down.
Guiones – Also a beach break with right and left.
Playa Negra – Point break with a right only. Careful! Rocks below.
