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Costa Rica's Weekly Surf Report
Volume 9, Issue 433
May 12th, 2008

see our TOP NEWS stories here

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NATIONAL FORECAST

5/12-5/18
Mon
Tues
Wed
Thur
Fri
Sat
Sun
Caribbean
chest to head
waist high
knee to waist
knee to waist
waist high
waist high

waist high

North Pacific
1-2 feet overhead
overhead
head high
chest to head high
chest high
chest high
chest to head
South Pacific
1-3 feet overhead
1 foot overhead
overhead
overhead
head high
head high
overhead

Overview - Caribbean Coast - The East swell fades through the start of the week, but there's enough juice for ridable surf through to the weekend.

Pacific Coast - The swell calms quickly as the week begins, dropping from 2 foot overhead Monday down to head high by sunset on Tuesday. Then it's another wait for more surf from SSW. This time not arriving until next Monday, with a couple of preview sets arriving Sunday evening.

To do your own forecast - use our links below.


TIDES for 5/12/08
(add ~50 min. each day) Month View

High Tide: 8.23 feet at 8:26 a.m.
Low Tide: 1.30 feet at 1:35 p.m.

Full Moon - May 19th

 

AREA REPORTS

** From Louis at Hotel Las Tortugas in Playa Grande (5/10)-

AREA WAVE HEIGHTS AND CONDITIONS - Tamano de las olas y condiciones: Good conditions in the morning and afternoon are allowing us to ride some well overhead, powerful, surf.  If it gets much bigger we'll have to slip down the beach to Tamarindo .  It is cloudier every day as the rainy season moves towards us from the south where it has
already begun.

WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEKEND (weather and waves) - Que va a pasar este fin de semana (clima y olas):  The tides are right for the morning window, so somewhere in the bay it should be surfable in case it gets too big out front.

** From photographer John Lyman, Lyman Photos in Playa Negra - (5/11)

AREA WAVE HEIGHTS AND CONDITIONS - Tamano de las olas y condiciones: The waves have been head high to a couple feet over head on the sets. This swell we are into now is too south for Playa Negra so a lot of the waves are closing out. Partly cloudy in the mornings with rain in the afternoons as we have officially moved into the rainy season. Water temp is 84 degrees.

WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEKEND (weather and waves) - Que va a pasar este fin de semana (clima y olas): This south swell will peak on Sunday with well over head sets. The beginning of the week will see a decrease in surf as this swell fades. Chest high sets for midweek and then more south swell for the end of the work week and into next weekend.

BEST PLACE TO SURF THIS WEEKEND IN YOUR AREA - El mejor lugar a surfear este fin de semana en su area: We have high tide running through the mornings this week and that means Playa Negra early. There was only one guy out there this morning for almost an hour..

NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS- Noticias y dias especiales: Naked Watusi warriors throw down their spears and pick up surfboards. Photos at www.lymanphotos.sbpix.com

** From Steve at Coconut Harrys Surf Shop in Playa Guiones (5/10) -

AREA WAVE HEIGHTS AND CONDITIONS - Tamano de las olas y condiciones: Big waves 5-7ft in  Guiones but unorganized and closing out. It could be one of those swells where you need to check it out during the day to see if conditions change.

WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEKEND (weather and waves) - Que va a pasar este fin de semana (clima y olas): The swell should back down on Sunday and the rest of next week. Hopefully giving us some cleaner waves. The best bet is forst ting in the moring and the late afternoon session. The wind has been really laying down in the late afternoon giving us some fun sunset sessions.

** From Erik at SurfingNosara.com in Playa Guiones (5/11) -

Well, yesterday we had our first real rain... it felt so good sleeping last night... we are about at the end of our A/C season, and back to fans and open windows...  But, since it rained like crazy last night, you may want to hold off of the morning session.  It isn't looking real good today, and last year I got a funky cold right after the first rains.  I look at it like this... we have been dry now for almost 6 months... that is a lot of fertilizer, pesticide, monkey poop, that is all washing into our bay this morning.  Don't get me wrong, Guiones is about as clean as it gets... and I am sure you will be fine, just rinse out the ears today...

Surf is looking like the rainy season, which I love cause we have all sorts of crazy sections... like a little skate park in the head high to a bit overhead range today.  When they jack up right, there are some barrel sections, but you gotta be on your game to get'm...  Have a great day, and we will see you back in the morning...

** From Hotel Buenisimo in Santa Teresa/Mal Pais (5/10) -

AREA WAVE HEIGHTS AND CONDITIONS - Tamano de las olas y condiciones: Big southwest swell, peaking over the weekend.  Double overhead - light winds in the afternoon, some showers.  Best at mid-tide.

** From Steve at Jazzys River House in Dominical (5/12) -

AREA WAVE HEIGHTS AND CONDITIONS - Tamano de las olas y condiciones: 7am monday morning . blue sky, snappy offshore breeze, clean conditions on the incoming tide.  bigger set waves well overhead and dumping/mostly closed out.  half a dozen surfer picking off shoulders only.  lots of water moving, tough paddle out/river surprisingly clear (some hard rain lately) but full.  strong rip.

WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEKEND (weather and waves) - Que va a pasar este fin de semana (clima y olas): continued light rain expected with heavy water and overhead powerful waves.

BEST PLACE TO SURF THIS WEEKEND IN YOUR AREA - El mejor lugar a surfear este fin de semana en su area: maybe the point?

NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS- Noticias y dias especiales: dominical has hired a new lifeguard to replace founder and leader Matt Haley.  Matt is taking a needed break from the beach, working in Florida .  New lifeguard, Andrew Webster is from Encinitas, CA and hopes to be here in Domninical by mid-june if not before. 

 

 

 

 

WAVE MODELS


Go to wavewatch.com for your local surf forecasts 


WW3 wave models for 00-120 hrs. for the North and South Pacific, and the Caribbean too. (animations, too!) Click on "weather" then "waves" on the left side and then choose the WW3 models by the NOAA.
http://facs.scripps.edu/surf/gblpac.html

Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center publishes wave models up to 144 hours later. Go to Oceanography and WW3 on the side menu to select other oceans and wave periods.
https://www.fnmoc.navy.mil/

From the Naval Oceanographic Office for the Caribbean
https://www.navo.navy.mil/cgi-bin/graphic.pl/metoc/368/21/0-0-1/0
and the region
https://www.navo.navy.mil/cgi-bin/graphic.pl/metoc/299/21/0-0-1/3

NOAA wave model for up to 180 hours
http://polar.ncep.noaa.gov/waves/main_int.html

  Wind velocity and pressure line movements for Central America and the world, along with short range wave models- http://www.oceanweather.com/data/

Wetsand.com has a reliable surf forecast for Costa Rica with a 6-day NW and SW swell chart.
http://www.wetsand.com/

Buoyweather.com - Has four virtual buoys for Costa Rica that show sea and surf heights, wind directions, and forecasts to 96 hours - http://buoyweather.com/wxnav6.jsp?region=CR&program=Maps

Wind direction and forecasts-
http://www.windfinder.com/forecast/puntarenas

Links to buoys, satellite views, wave models with period length, wind maps all on one page for 24-72 hour forecasts
http://www.stormsurf.com/page2/links/costasrprt.shtml

The Weather Channel's Central America Satellite -
http://www.weather.com/maps/maptype/satelliteworld/centralamericasatellite_large.html

Tropical Underground Hurricane Tracking Site -
http://www.wunderground.com/tropical/

 

SURF CAMS AND DAILY REPORTS

Joe at Witchs Rock Surf Camp does a daily report from the Guanacaste Coast, usually around Tamarindo.
http://www.witchsrocksurfcamp.com/

John Lyman Shoots daily photos at Playa Negra
http://www.lymanphotos.sbpix.com/surflinks.html

Erik posts a daily report from Nosara which has some good photos, too.
www.surfingnosara.com

You have to check the Rovercam!!!

Surfline shows daily photos of Playa Hermosa and
nearby beaches
www.surfline.com/surfline/livecams/report.cfm?alias=hermosacrcam

The Sandpiper Inn has camera out back of Playa Hermosa
www.sandpipercostarica.com

David McNeil posts a daily journal from Playa Hermosa with photos
www.devadproductions.com

Papa-G-Surf does a daily video, has a "Backyard" cam, and gets photos from Casa Siempre Domingo in Pavones
www.papagsurf.com

 

 

 

 

Surf Reporters

Hotel Las Tortugas

Hotel Las Tortugas (653-0423)
in Playa Grande
surfegg@cool.co.cr

Walking On Water

Walking On Water Surf Shop
in Jaco
Surf Report 643-3844
chucks@sol.racsa.co.cr

Santa Teresa - Hotel Buenisimo

Hotel Buenisimo
in Santa Teresa
hotelbuenisimo@yahoo.com
640-0694

John Lyman Photography
Playa Negra to Grande
lymanphoto@aol.com

Land Assurance (787-0291)
in Dominical
info@landassurance.com

Witchs Rock Surf Camp
in Tamarindo
1-888-318-SURF
local CR# 653-1262
reservations@
witchsrocksurfcamp.com

Coconut Harrys
in Playa Guiones
682-0574
reyersteve@yahoo.com

Witchs Rock Surf Trips
Playa de Coco
(670-1089)
rocasurf@hotmail.com

Hotel Totem

Hotel Totem
Playa Cocles
750-0758 Fax: 750-0825
totemhotel@racsa.co.cr

Surfing Nosara
Daily Surf Report w/Pics

 

 

Get your vehicle before the high season

Tico Travel

Tico Travel - Surf Trips
E-mail

Cabinas Las Arenas
Playa Hermosa
2643-7018
E-mail

Hermosa Beach House
Playa Hermosa
2643-7178
E-mail

WHOLESALE SURFBOARDS
Epoxy, poly, softtops
SURFBOARD MATERIALS
blanks, resin, cloth,fins,boxes
LEASHES, BOARDBAGS,
BODYBOARDS 38" - 46"
www.rashguards.com

Island Hoppers TV
Bringing you the best
surfing in da islands.

CR Travel Guide DVD
Only from Vertical Pics
E-mail

Horizon Surf & Yoga Retreat
in Santa Teresa
2640-0524
E-mail

Hotel Marea Brava
in Playa Hermosa
1-866-727-2577 or
in C.R. 2643-7043
E-mail

The Backyard Hotel
in Playa Hermosa
2643-7011
E-mail

The Surfer's Guide to Costa Rica www.surfingtravel.com

Lohelani Catamaran Tours
Surf tours on the Pacific Coast
714-957-8144 (U.S.)
E-mail

Hotel Poseidon
Phone toll free: 888-2643-1242
in Jaco.: 506-2643-1642
E-mail

Safari Surf School
Nosara
E-mail

Walt Paraiso Hotel
2215-1515 fax: 2778-8069
E-mail

Esencia Hotel & Villas
2640-0420 Fax: 2640-0381
E-mail

Luz de Vida Hotel
2640-0320 Fax: 2640-0319
E-mail

Vista de Olas Hotel
Ph/Fax: 2640-0183
E-mail

Hotel Diuwak
2787-0087 Fax: 2787-0089
E-mail

Hotel Domilocos
2787-0244
E-mail

Delfin Beach Front Resort
2778-8054
E-mail

Green Iguana Surf Camp
Group & Private Lessons
in Dominical
506-2787-0157 or
8825-1381
E-mail

A Surfer's Dream
House in Playa Negra
E-mail

Blue Trailz Surf Adventures
in Tamarindo
2653-0221
E-mail

Dona Paulina's
Restaurant and Cabinas
in Playa Negra
(2652-9158)
E-mail

CR Surfing Guide
619-520-3545
E-mail

Cashew Hill Jungle Lodge
Ph/fax: 506-2750-0256
in Puerto Viejo
E-mail

Witchs Rock Surf Camp
2653-1262
E-mail

Third World Productions
in Jaco
2643-1497
E-mail

Ranchos Itauna
2640-0095
E-mail

Nature Cabina for rent
near Dominical Beaches
E-mail

La Sirena Hotel
Downtown Quepos
1-800-493-8426
E-mail

Teen Spanish in Costa Rica
1-800-897-0025
in the U.S. and Canada
or (505) 897-7348
E-mail

Cafe Playa Negra
Bed & Breakfast & Bistro
Tel/fax : (506) 2652-9351
E-mail

Costa Paraiso Lodge
in Dominicalito
2787-0025
E-mail

Villas Rio Mar
in Playa Dominical
2787-0052
fax 2787-0054
E-mail

School of the World
in Jaco
2643-2462
E-mail

Kevin's Transfers
(506) 2643-2604 office
(712) 8361 -9218 cel
E-mail

Cabinas Las Olas
(2658-8315 Fax:
2658-8331)
in Playa Avellanas
E-mail

Wavescr.com
Beginner to pro surf camps in Hermosa and the Caribbean
E-mail

 

 

 

 

 

 

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