For 10 plus years I have wanted to formally learn to surf alongside my kids. They are now 15, 13 and 10. All three are super strong open water and pool swimmers.
Looking at trying a surf vacation in Costa Rica this Spring Break - a sort of once in a decade type family vacation - while they are still able and available.
I welcome any and all suggestions for Costa Rica and/or other places.
David K
I hate to date myself, but I took a surf camp vacation in CR in 1992. One week long, a bunch of guys in a van that left from a travel agency office in San Jose. The accomodations were crappy and several of us shared a room. The food was OK since there was a restaurant attached. We were in the Pacific side to the north. No paved roads. It was very exotic, a lot of European tourists, the surf was not great - beachbreak over a sand bar and blown by 10 AM.
I understand that there are now a lot more camps (last time I was there was in 2003 but now I stay in nice hotels and no longer surf). Make sure of the accomodations, beach, food, and all the other details.
You probably know all this, but it’s reef on the Atlantic and sandbar on the Pacific. I love both, but the pacific side has a lot more options.
Don’t spend any time in San Jose, Puntarenas, or Limon. Just big cities that distract from the amazing beauty of the country.
I can only say this. Last year, the fam and I went to Oahu. We took surf lessons and rented boards. Within an hour we were all surfing, got pictures, and having a blast. The kids and my wife were naturals, I took a little bit more time (I’m a natural clutz). They have special boards for first-timers that might be easier to balance on. Some are also topped with neoprene. My recommendation is to wear a surfing shirt. It doesn’t take long to get pretty extreme chafing on your chest, nipples, stomach from paddling the board out beyond the break.
I’ve never been to Costa Rica, but I imagine if there are big enough waves you can surf on them.
Bernie
Same here at Duke’s at Waikiki.
I learned to surf in CR when I stayed in Tamarindo for about 6 weeks before a summer school study abroad class. This was in the summer of 1999. It may be more crowded now, but at the time it wasn’t too much trouble to find a spot to yourself. The waves weren’t huge and there were several surf shops in the town. There were also a number of beaches nearby–Playa Hermosa is one the I seem to recall enjoying once I got the hang of things. We were also able to take a boat trip for surfing at Witch’s Rock, which was awesome.
One of the more entertaining parts about Tamarindo was that the beach was split by a small river. Locals said that there were some crocodiles that lived there. You had to paddle across the river to reach a second long stretch of beach. We’d hit the beach around 3 pm and surf until sunset, having to paddle back across the river at dusk. It was always a bit eerie thinking that there might be some crocs swimming around you and you’d be surprised at how fast you can paddle across a river using only your pinky fingers…
I’ll 2nd the Ohau recommendation. The water is warm, and the waves break a long way out, so you have lots of time to do your thing. It is an easy wave, and breaks in deep water, so no risk of hitting the bottom like a lot of places. And when you are just learning, there is a lot of falling/diving off the board head first, until you learn that is a no no…Hands always out in front when bailing out…
I’m not sure about CR surf, most the guys I know that go there, are getting epic hard core surf, not learners waves…
**Same here at Duke’s at Waikiki. **
We’ve surfed the same waters and chewed the same sand, brother.
Bernie
I have the greatest memories of watching this old Hawaiian guy from Dukes with a cigarette in his mouth sitting out in the water on his board teaching a bunch of rookies how to surf.
We had some guy named “Shrek” teach us. It was kind of funny because he kept calling my younger son “Little Buddy”. Good memory.
I’ll 3rd Waikiki. Spent last Christmas with the BF and teenager learning to surf there. Stayed at the Westin Moana Surfrider and drank LOTS of fine Mai Tais under the banyan tree when not in the water!
Wow, this sounds like a great idea. I’m going to file this one in the “way back” area of “stuff I should do.”
Please post about how it goes when you get back. I’ll be watching for it.
As many have said Oahu is a good place to learn. Last year my mom and sister took surf lessons and both were surfing within the hour.
I avoid Waikiki as much as possible, and always steer people here:
They pick up and drop off in Waikiki but the sruf lesson is out west. Less crowded water.
But I know a lot of people who have learned to surf in Waikiki.
Appreciate the replies.
I do not know if Hawaii is feasible for a one week Spring Break vacation due to the length of the flights flights from and back to Indiana - 15 hours or so. But, I want to hear about Hawaiian surf vacations in case we go there some day.
So, thanks and please keep the info coming.
David K
My son (14 at the time) and I did this last year during spring break. Learning to surf has been on my “to do” list since I was a kid, so finally decided he was old enough to enjoy it and there were no more excuses.
We stayed at Vista Guapa surf camp in Jaco, CR. It’s a very tiny complex run by a former surf champion and his wife. As a beginner, you are out surfing once a day for a couple of hours. The day usually goes something like this: Get up, eat breakfast, pack the truck, drive to the beach and surf for a couple of hours. If the tide is early, you’ll surf first, then eat. They make an awesome breakfast! The afternoon is free for you to relax by the pool, take a side trip or head into town. Dinner is included in the fees and everynight they take the guests to a different local restaurant.
I have mixed feelings about the trip so I’ll give you my thoughts on what I liked/disliked. Surfing was excellent! Since that is what we were there for, the trip was definitely a hit! The breaks are small and easy for a beginner. The best part of the trip-my son and I were both surfing within the first hour! Everyone that arrived with us, with the exception of one man, was surfing by the end of the first session. There were plenty of instructors, so you rarely sat around waiting for someone to help you.
The accomodations are very modest but we really enjoyed that as we don’t really care for the all-inclusive, high rise type vacation. My son loved sitting in the hammock, reading or playing cards in the afternoon. The rooms are small, no TV, small window air conditioner, but everything is extremely clean.
The resort is small, maybe 8 cabins and people usually arrive on Saturdays so you are coming at the same time as the rest of the guests. This is nice as you’re all starting out together and become friends pretty quickly.
One of the days you skip surfing and take a trip to Manuel Antonio Nat. Park. This is a great trip. The park is beautiful and it’s nice to see that part of Costa Rica. We also did a zip line tour that was very beautiful.
The things I didn’t care for- I like to be BUSY on vacation. Other than surfing, there is very little to do around this area. Since surfing takes a big piece of the day, there really isn’t enough time left to schedule out of area excursions. You can take a cab into Jaco ( 5 minutes), but it’s a small, touristy town and one trip is plenty. We went into town most days for lunch or ice cream, but after the first day, there isn’t much to see. If the kids like the beach, you can hang out there. On the flip side, my son loved not doing in the afternoons, so guess it depends on your vacation style. We have been to Costa Rica a few other times, in the more remote areas and this part of the country is definitely not the prettiest, but can’t beat the surfing.
**I do not know if Hawaii is feasible for a one week Spring Break vacation due to the length of the flights flights from and back to Indiana - 15 hours or so. But, I want to hear about Hawaiian surf vacations in case we go there some day. **
We live in Michigan and did 1 week on Oahu during the kids’ spring break last year. We drove to O’Hare and flew direct on American Airlines. It was a 9 hour flight down and a 8:15 flight back. We flew through the night on the way back. I would say that you would have to scramble to get a place to stay more than the travel time being a huge issue.
Bernie
Barbados!
We learned at Zed’s last year, they were great…beautiful island.
http://www.zedssurftravel.com/
Andrew
With hotel ocupancy rates down about 25% this year, a place to stay probably won’t be a problem. Even then.
Go for it!