OLD NEWS
TRAVEL
2nd Papagayo Hotel Under Investigation
By Dave Sherwood
Tico Times | dsherwood@ticotimes.net
PAPAGAYO PENINSULA, Guanacaste — Authorities closed the Spanish-owned Hotel Occidental Allegro Papagayo this week, forcing relocation of its 600 guests.... read more in the Tico Times
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CHANGE IN TACA SPORTING GOODS POLICY
Effective immediatly new policies on baggage charges will take place regarding the following issues:
Charges of excess baggage. Transportation of surf boards
Surfing Boards 1 Surf Bag (max. 2 boards) $95.00 each-way
Applies charge as an extra piece (substitution of one piece should be handled as standby Applies charge as an extra piece (handled as standby)
Modification on the charge for surfing boards: USD 95.00 for the first bag.
Exceptions: MIA/SJO/MIA: A charge of USD 50.00 each-way will be applied on the first surfboard bag. (ALL surfboard waivers eliminated)
Costa-Bazooka festival - 7 Days of Music in Costa Rica. 2 Days, 8 bands in San Jose Jan. 7-8. Five Days in Quepos Jan. 9-12 Big finale at Rancho Allegre Saturday Jan. 12, 2008. Cost is $15. Go to www.costa-bazooka.com for more info.
CONTESTS
Costa Rica selects National Surf Team to compete in Panama on March 20-21st in Playa Venao. Read more...
The Puerto Viejo Open Surf Tournament for men, women, boys and girls will be held March 19, starting at 8 a.m., at the Cocles beach break. This will be a special Semana Santa tournament. For more information, call Beto at 885-9688.
Matias Braun and Lisbeth Vindas are the champions in Playa Nosara for the 4th stop on the CNS tour. Anderson Tascón wins Juniors. Read more..
Diego Naranjo wins the second contest on the ALAS (Latin American Surf Association) tour, held at Punta Rocas in Peru. Read more...
The fifth stop on the Costa Rica National Tour will be in Santa Teresa on March 15th and 16th, and then in Dominical on April 5th and 6th. The finals will be held behind the Terraza del Pacific in Playa Hermosa on the 26th and 27th of April.
Gilbert Brown wins in Tamarindo, Jairo Perez wins Juniors, and Laura Pecoraro takes first for the women. Read more about the third stop on the CNS tour here..
Lisbeth Vindas set to compete on the WQS, from The Beach Times.
Gilbert Brown and Laura Pecoraro win the Circuito Nacional de Surf's second contest in Playa Hermosa, from The Beach Times. To see the results, click here.
THE COSTA RICAN NATIONAL SURF TEAM:
- Nataly Bernold: WOMEN'S 13 year old with 7 years experience from Tamarindo; favorite wave is Playa Avellanas; #2 Central American Women's surfer, #2 2005-06 CNS Junior Women's Champion. and #4 Women's leader. Recent double winner of the CENTURY 21 Coastal Estates Charity Surf Classic-1 st place Women's and Junior Womens. Sponsers: Moh's, Secret Spot Surf Shop, Banzaii Surfboards.
- Gilbert Brown: OPEN 23 year old with 14 years experience from Puerto Viejo; favorite wave is Salsa Brava; 2001-02 Costa Rican National Surf Champion. Sponsors: Quiksilver, Adrenalina TV.
- Ivan Castrillo: BODYBOARDING 22 year old with 9 years experience from Manuel Antonio; favorite wave is Playitas; 2005-06 Costa Rican National Bodyboarding Champion.
- Walter Gatgens: BODYBOARDING 21 year old with 8 years experience from Jaco; favorite wave is a secret. Sponsors: Katin.
- Nino Myrie : OPEN 21 year old with 12 years experience from Puerto Viejo; favorite wave is Salsa Brava and Pavones; 2002-03 Costa Rican National Surf Champion, 2001-02 Costa Rican National Junior Surf Champion. Sponsors: Volcom, Adrenalina TV, Arenas Surf Shop, Etnies.
- Diego Narango: OPEN, LONGBOARD 24 year old with 15 years experience from Playa Jaco; favorite wave is Playa Escondida, Playa Hermosa, Pavones, Laberinto, Macaronis ; currently Top 10 Asociacion Latinoamericano de Surf's (ALAS) Latin Pro Tour. Sponsors: Billabong, Red Bull, Reef, Freestyle, Quique, Surf Shop, Byrne Surfboards.
- Luis Vindas: OPEN 19 year old with 10 years experience from Playa Jaco; favorite wave is Playa Jaco; currently Top 10 ALAS Latin Pro Tour and participating in the WQS. Sponsors: Billabong, Reef, Quique, Nixon .
- Lisbeth Vindas: WOMEN'S, BODYBOARD 24 year old with 10 years experience from Playa Jaco; favorite wave is Playa Escondida and Playa Jaco; this 5-time Costa Rican National Women's Champion gave up the CNS this year and is current ranked #32 on the WQS, and is the Central American Women's Champion. Sponsors: Billabong, Reef, Arenas Surf Shop, Byrne Surfboards, OAM, Freestyle.
To view the Costa Rica National Surf Team in action at the 2006 Lost Energy Drink ISA World Surfing Games go to www.isasurf.org
Frederico Pilurzo set to compete in Hawaii's Triple Crown. Read about his success story, and check the link to live coverage of the event.
Here are last year's rankings for the CNS - Circuito Nacional de Surf in Costa Rica - rankings. This year's first contest will be in November.
Costa Rica earns 4th place at the Pan-American Surfing Games. Gilbert Brown takes Bronze in the Open Division, the top honor ever for a Costa Rican.
Costa Rica earned a total of 20,267 points with its 4th place; Brazil was 1st with 29,992; Chile 2nd with 24,372, and Perú 3rd with 24,072. Read the whole story here..
Frederico Pilurzo set to compete in Hawaii's Triple Crown. Read about his success story, and check the link to live coverage of the event.
Roxygirls and WavesCR Surf Camp to hold party for Special Olympics kids on October 26th and 27th. Learn more here.
Surf contest at Boca Barranca to benefit Hogar Monserrat, October 27th-28th. Contact the Federation of Surf, C.R. at 244-2400 for more info.
Frederic Pilurzo may be the first surfer from Costa Rica to compete in Hawaii's Triple Crown this November. He has to earn a spot by doing well enough in the October WQS contests to make it in the top 100. Read about his latest results.
9/8 - Surf contest in Santa Teresa behind La Lora Amarilla on Sept 21-23. Come out to support the ninos. Contact Johanna for more info at joha_stone@hotmail.com
9/1 - Luis Vindas wins the ALAS Movistar Latin Pro in El Salvador. Nino Myrie makes to the 4th round.Read more here and check www.alaslatintour.com for pictures.
8/19 -Luis Vindas wins the Triple Crown of Costa Rica Surfing August 17-19th in Jaco. Visit www.surfingcr.net for details.
Luis Vindas wins the ALAS Movistar Latin Pro in El Salvador. Nino Myrie makes to the 4th round. Read more here and check www.alaslatintour.com for pictures.
7/28 - Legalize It Surf Tournament - Saturday August 4th - Starts at 8am - Playa Cocles, 1km southeast of Puerto Viejo. Open & Girls categories, all ages welcome to enter. For more info, call Beto @ 885.9688
6/30 - Contest to save the Nature Refuge at Playa Hermosa. Read more ...
June 23rd - Local Surf Contest in Playa Hermosa. Live music, bikini contest, and lots of prizes all day and night. Trinity Roots band plays at the Backyard Bar. For more info..
June 30th - Surf contest in Tamarindo, starting at 7 a.m. $500 in prizes and free lunch. Sponsored by Smith Optics, Cobian, Christian Surfers, Z-Flex, and Soul Armor.
6/10 - Luis Vindas wins the first leg of the Costa Rica Triple Crown contest held June 9 and 10th in Playa Dominical. Read more...
Costa Rica youth come in 14th out of 28 international teams at the ISA World Junior Games in Portugal. Standouts were Carlos Munoz, Jairo Perez and Natalie Bernold. For results, click here, and for photos go to www.isasurfing.org.
Central American Surf Contest won by Costa Rica. Frederico Pilurzo takes the Open division, while Lisbeth Vindas wins for the women in Guatemala. Read more...
Trofeo Freestyle contest, Playa Guiones, Feb. 24-25th. Click here to read the article (en Español)
Go to www.surfingcr.net for more info and to see the latest rankings. Other dates for the Circuito Nacional Tour.
ENVIRONMENT
AyA To Build Sewage Treatment Plant in Jacó - from The Beach Times.
An executive decree issued by President Oscar Arias and Environment Minister Roberto Dobles last week shut off public access to public documents - from The Tico Times
Papagayo Hotel Dumps Sewage Into Estuary... read more
Illegal Tuna Boat Busted in Cocos Island National Park. From Pretoma.org.
Tamarindo Residents Protest Increased Development of Tall Buildings - from AM Costa Rica
AyA To Build Sewage Treatment Plant in Jacó - from The Beach Times.
Ban on Shark finning bill introduced in Costa Rica Congress after showing of the movie Sharkwater. From AM Costa Rica.
The Blue Flag was stripped from Tamarindo on Nov. 20, 2007 due to extremely high levels of sewage related bacteria found on the swimming and surfing beaches. From www.nacion.com
Tamarindo's chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, the international non-profit organization dedicated to water quality and ocean preservation, say their latest fundraiser was a success, despite receiving flak from a local group of surfers. Read more..
Read the latest on the fecal coliform problems in Tamarindo. From The Tico Times, and The Beach Times.
From La Nacion's Weekly Review - Costa Rica is the sole place in the world where the two populations of humpback whales, those from the northern and the southern hemispheres, coincide to mate and give birth to their calves. This data surfaced in research done by Universidad Nacional (the Costa Rican state National University). The mating areas are located in the neighborhood of Caño Island and Marenco Point, in the south Pacific, and in Cuajiniquil Bay, in the northern Pacific. Even though the whales arrive at different times of the year, in the months of November and December the two groups share Cuajiniquil Bay. Marine biologist Damian Martinez explained that, until now, scientists had observed the humpbacks feed and move off California and Chile, but then lost track of them for a period of time. It was when they came to Costa Rica that they watched males fighting for a female, listened to mating songs, and watched newborn calves.
Puerto Viejo Residents protest marina built next to Salsa Brava, from www.amcostarica.com
From La Nacion - The first marina in the Costa Rica Caribbean will cost $40 million and will have 398 berths, according to Grupo Caribe Internacional. The facility will be located at Playa Negra, in Puerto Viejo. If the official permits are granted, construction will start in eight months, according to the firm's attorney Walter Coto.
USAR DESECHOS PARA PRODUCIR GAS LIMPIO
por La Diaria Extra - Mauricio Ordóñez Corresponsal
Fabricar gas limpio para cocinar o calentar, utilizando materia orgánica y contribuyendo a eliminar los desechos que fomentan el calentamiento global, fue la propuesta que el estudiante Leonel Alfredo Ulate presentó en la Feria Científica de la Escuela Los Diamantes, en Guápiles.
Aunque pocos entendieron la inquietud del pequeño científico, para otros fue un llamado de atención de que con "basura orgánica" se puede fabricar gas para calentar agua en chancheras y lecherías o para cocinar.
Lo más importante, por ejemplo en el caso de las chancheras, es que se evita que el excremento vaya a las quebradas y contamine los ríos.
También Ulate insistió en el adecuado manejo de los desechos orgánicos bajo el lema "Fabrique su propio gas natural" mediante los siguientes pasos: se recoge el material orgánico, que se convierte en biomasa y se coloca en un estañón, donde se lleva a cabo la fermentación, con una manguera el gas llega a un pulmón que lo almacena y de ahí al quemador de la cocina o el calentador de la lechería.
La exposición del pequeño, quien cursa el primer grado de escuela, fue aplaudida pero no premiada. Para mas infomacion - visita - www.biogasulate.es.tl
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Tamarindo says poor water quality affects tourism, from The Beach Times.
PIC OF THE WEEK
Are you surfing in feces? from La Nacion
No beaches closed yet in Tamarindo - from www.AMCostarica.com
To assist in research and protection of the Isla de Coco National park, which was declared a World Natural Heritage Site by the United Nations in 1997, a website - www.tuislacoco.com has been created.
Projecto Ninos in Nosara raises money for school supplies by selling rooms and tours donated by local businesses. To learn more, go to www.projectoninos.com
Costaricans for the Whales - Help the Whales by visiting this link and signing the petition asking the president to protect them.
From www.amcostarica.com -
Isla del Coco patrol highlights rampant violations of law. Costa Rican coast guardsmen have just completed a 15-day patrol in the Pacifc and returned admitting that they do not have the resources to adequately protect the Isla del Coco. Read more..
50 percent less leatherback nests, by The Beach Times
The last nesting season of leatherback turtles at the Las Baulas National Marine Park in Guanacaste, on the Costa Rican northwestern Pacific, is a source of worry for environmental authorities and organizations, since the number of arrivals decreased by 50 percent, as compared to the preceding season. Wardens counted only 58 individuals of the endangered species, while in the preceding season there had been 124 sightings. The worries can be fully understood when one takes into account that this is the most important leatherback spawning site in the Eastern Pacific and the fourth worldwide.
To protest the 14 story condo project on Playa Hermosa Beach - Dave Sherwood from the Tico Times investigates both sides of the issue.
Help save the Golfo Dulce from a giant Tuna Farm approved to be built near Punta Banco. A Letter from Tiskita Foundation asks for assistance.
Volunteer opportunities to work with sea turtles. Go to www.anaicr.org for details on how to get involved on the Talamancan Coast.
Debt for Education and the Environment - Three influential U.S. senators made a pledge to promote pardoning the Costa Rican debt with the United States on the condition that those funds would be invested on improving education and the protection of the environment. From www.insidecostarica.com
Travel with award-winning travel guide author Harry S. Pariser around Costa Rica and experience its wonders! Buy the 2006 Explore Costa Rica Guide at www.savethemanatee.com
Harmony Hotel in Nosara organized four schools and the local community in a giant beach cleanup held on Sept. 1st. The hotel has many featues that make it a true eco-resort. They'll surf against tuna
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Those who opposed an undersea tuna farm in the Golfo Dulce plan a surf championship Saturday near the community of Pavones in southwest Costa Rica.
The environmental groups sponsoring the event oppose the project proposed by Granja Atunera de Golfito S.A. and have appealed permits to the Sala IV constitutional court.
The opponents object to the mess that would be created by raising yellowfin tuna in two-kilometer-long cages beneath the pristine gulf.
September News - Scuba Divers clean up the beach in Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste) - from the Bill Beard's Diving website
TRAVEL
Prepared by Robert Klenz on behalf of the South Pacific Coast Community of Portalon
To our concerned friends. Monday Sept. 26, 2005
To those of you who recieved my first e mail describing what happened in Portalon and to those of you who have not heard, this is my latest update. Its strange that very few locals outside of the Portalon-Silencio areas even know of this disaster.
Last Friday afternoon and Saturday, due to Hurricane Rita and its residual rains, the areas of Portalon and Silencio received in excess of 40 inches of rain in a 36 hour period. The Portalon River overflowed its banks and completely wiped out the town of Portalon with its approximately 100 homes. The entire town is littered with gigantic tree trunks that look like big toothpicks everywhere. Houses were actually gutted by tree trunks and flooded with several feet of mud and raging river. The miracle is that there were no deaths. The people walked out of their houses fearing for their lives, in the dark of night with only what they had on their backs at the time. Gone, clothing, furniture, personal items and houses.
Today we revisited the site of total devastation and viewed first hand the misery that these people must be feeling. Although we still saw many smiles, we didn't hear any "Pura Vidas" today. it was impossible not to shed a tear and feel overwhelmed by it all. For those of you who are able, drive to Portalon and park your car and take a look for yourselves, you just won't believe it.
Now, several days later, the Government response has been almost non existent. The Red Cross and the Mayor of Aguirre were there on Saturday but that was it. Bridges are still out, rivers are still running through the town, no water, no electricity and most of the people have nothing left. If you could please help the people of Portalon with donations of all types of clothing, food staples, bedding supplies and any furniture you don't want, I know they would appreciate your thoughfulness.
Please contact the School Maestra of Portalon, Jenny at 787-5198 or 787-5223.
You can also contact Scott and Joyce Dinsmore at 844-1600.
Donations will be accepted at the Portalon School or call to find out what is needed and where to take it. Please open up your hearts and your wallets. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Bob Klenz
As always please feel free to contact the offices of Coldwell Banker Costa Rica for any donations as well.....Sean R. McGraw- Coldwell Banker Affiliates of Costa Rica- Owner/Broker
TRAVEL
Are you jonesing for some Lisano or other Costa Rican foods? Check out www.ticoshopping.com for a very complete selection of C.R. goodies. And tell them CRSURF sent you.
Also, if you go to JACO and NEED A SURFBOARD, these guys from Argentina can hook you up with some nice shapes. Check it out at www.fbsurfboards.com
ENVIRONMENT
Dominical hosts lifeguard benfit on July 3rd. The annual 4th of July Benefit for the Dominical Lifeguards is Sunday at Hotel Roca Verde, 12:00 - 6:00. Live music, raffle prizes, bake sale, hamburger / hot dogs, and a chance to win a Quad! All proceeds benefit The Dominical Lifeguards. For more info, go to Dominical.biz.
Ocean Festival to be held in San Jose and Puntarenas. For more information contact Michelle Soto Méndez of the Asociación Marviva.
PRETOMA studies sea turtles on Playa Caletas - More than 1,300 leatherbacks arrived in 1989; only 68 arrived in 2002. T o help out - check at www.tortugamarina.org
PRETOMA is a Costa Rican Non-Profit NGO, founded in 1997, with headquarters in the capital of Costa Rica, San Jose. Our mission is to protect, conserve and restore the populations of sea turtles and sharks and the marine environment along the Central American isthmus.
What do they do?
- Projects to protect endangered sea turtles on their nesting beaches
- Collect scientific data on sea turtles and sharks onboard commercial fishing vessels
- Promote national, regional and global fisheries policies that allow endangered species to recover and ensure commercial species are sustainably used
- Public campaigns with national and international organizations to raise awareness regarding ocean conservation
The U.S.-based Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation will donate $8 million to help Costa Rica 's financially strained national park system combat poaching and illegal logging on the Osa Peninsula , in Costa Rica 's Southern Zone, government officials announced this week. Those interested in donating funds to conserve the Osa Peninsula can visit www.osacampaign.com.
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If you surf Nosara, you may want to find out more about a gas station that is going in right next to the river, which leads right out to the surf break. Check out www.voiceofnosara.com for more info.
Carlos Barrera is the director of the Eco-Pangueros Association of Playa del Coco. They have received permits from MINAE to take surfers to Witches Rock and Ollie's Point. The cost is $200 per boat, with a maximum of five people each. Each surfer is also required to pay the $6 entrance fee to the Santa Rosa National Park. Mr. Barrera explained that "The association can now work with the community to protect the natural resources and give the visiting surfers a chance to enjoy their experience surfing without crowds." The boat captains organize their trips so that one group can surf one spot while another is on a different break, keeping crowds to a minimum.
Volunteer coordinators live in Tamarindo, Jaco, Dominical, Manzanillo, and San Jose to try to bring visitors who want to help out a way to do it. Volunteers are needed to bring educational supplies for the Respect the Beach program, help out at a cleanup or a contest handing out informational flyers. Not just about Surfrider, but for any local group that is trying to protect their coastline.
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