[vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”7″ top_padding=”3″ bottom_padding=”2″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”0″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_custom_heading text_size=”h3″ text_space=”fontspace-731609″ text_font=”font-762333″ text_weight=”500″ text_transform=”uppercase” text_color=”color-jevc” separator=”yes” separator_color=”yes” sub_reduced=”yes” text_align=”text-center” text_serif=””]If you’re looking at coming
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”0″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”2″ top_padding=”7″ bottom_padding=”7″ back_image=”51744″ back_attachment=”scroll” back_position=”center center” parallax=”yes” overlay_color=”accent” overlay_alpha=”65″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” expand_height=”yes” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”7″ top_padding=”2″ bottom_padding=”2″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”0″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h1″ text_size=”h3″ text_space=”fontspace-731609″ text_font=”font-762333″ text_weight=”500″ text_transform=”uppercase” text_color=”color-jevc” separator=”yes” separator_color=”yes” sub_reduced=”yes” text_align=”text-center” text_serif=””]Surf Lessons[/vc_custom_heading][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”2″ top_padding=”7″ bottom_padding=”7″ back_image=”51740″ back_attachment=”scroll” back_position=”center center” parallax=”yes” overlay_color=”accent” overlay_alpha=”60″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” expand_height=”yes” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”7″ top_padding=”2″ bottom_padding=”2″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”0″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h6″ text_size=”h3″ text_space=”fontspace-731609″ text_font=”font-762333″ text_weight=”500″ text_transform=”uppercase” text_color=”color-jevc” separator=”yes” separator_color=”yes” sub_reduced=”yes” text_align=”text-center” text_serif=””]Surf Trips[/vc_custom_heading][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”0″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]The weekly surf trips are an amazing chance to discover the Costa Rican coastline and keep the excitement of exploring new places and discovering new waves alive! This week we went to Playa Negra, which is still in the Guanacaste region. It’s a dark sand beach, and world renowned for its right-hand barrels. It was an amazing day together with beautiful waves and a really good crowd. Playa Negra has two areas for surfing next to each other; the perfect reef break for advanced surfers and a gentler beach break for beginners and intermediates.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”0″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”2″ top_padding=”7″ bottom_padding=”7″ back_image=”51743″ back_attachment=”scroll” back_position=”center center” parallax=”yes” overlay_color=”accent” overlay_alpha=”75″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” expand_height=”yes” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”7″ top_padding=”2″ bottom_padding=”2″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”0″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h6″ text_size=”h3″ text_space=”fontspace-731609″ text_font=”font-762333″ text_weight=”500″ text_transform=”uppercase” text_color=”color-jevc” separator=”yes” separator_color=”yes” sub_reduced=”yes” text_align=”text-center” text_serif=””]Nightly Surf Tips[/vc_custom_heading][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”0″][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”0″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”2″ top_padding=”7″ bottom_padding=”7″ back_image=”51750″ back_attachment=”scroll” back_position=”center center” parallax=”yes” overlay_color=”accent” overlay_alpha=”75″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” expand_height=”yes” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”7″ top_padding=”2″ bottom_padding=”2″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”0″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h6″ text_size=”h3″ text_space=”fontspace-731609″ text_font=”font-762333″ text_weight=”500″ text_transform=”uppercase” text_color=”color-jevc” separator=”yes” separator_color=”yes” sub_reduced=”yes” text_align=”text-center” text_serif=””]Surf Tutorials[/vc_custom_heading][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”0″][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”0″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”2″ top_padding=”7″ bottom_padding=”7″ back_image=”51747″ back_attachment=”scroll” back_position=”center center” parallax=”yes” overlay_color=”accent” overlay_alpha=”75″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” expand_height=”yes” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”7″ top_padding=”2″ bottom_padding=”2″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”0″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h6″ text_size=”h3″ text_space=”fontspace-731609″ text_font=”font-762333″ text_weight=”500″ text_transform=”uppercase” text_color=”color-jevc” separator=”yes” separator_color=”yes” sub_reduced=”yes” text_align=”text-center” text_serif=””]In conclusion[/vc_custom_heading][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”0″][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”0″][vc_button button_color=”color-jevc” radius=”btn-square” italic=”” button_style=”light” icon_animation=”yes” icon=”fa fa-book2″ link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fdreamseacostarica.com%2Fvolunteer%2F|||”]Learn More[/vc_button][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”2″ top_padding=”7″ bottom_padding=”7″ back_image=”51169″ back_attachment=”scroll” back_position=”center center” parallax=”yes” overlay_color=”accent” overlay_alpha=”75″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” expand_height=”yes” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h1″ text_size=”fontsize-502225″ text_height=”fontheight-554561″ text_space=”fontspace-102651″ text_font=”font-762333″ text_weight=”700″ text_transform=”uppercase” text_color=”color-xsdn” sub_lead=”yes” sub_reduced=”yes” text_align=”text-center” text_serif=””]Volunteer Today[/vc_custom_heading][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row unlock_row_content=”yes” row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”0″ top_padding=”0″ bottom_padding=”0″ back_color=”color-jevc” parallax=”yes” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″ row_name=”#blog”][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ style=”dark” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][uncode_index el_id=”index-197106822234″ loop=”size:all|order_by:date|order:DESC|post_type:post” auto_query=”yes” style_preset=”metro” gutter_size=”0″ post_items=”media|featured|onpost|original,title,spacer|half,sep-one|reduced,date” page_items=”title,media,text,category” product_items=”title,media,text,category,price” portfolio_items=”title,media,text,category” carousel_v_align=”middle” screen_lg=”800″ screen_md=”800″ screen_sm=”800″ single_text=”overlay” single_width=”6″ single_height=”3″ single_overlay_color=”color-wayh” single_overlay_opacity=”70″ single_text_visible=”yes” single_text_anim=”no” single_overlay_visible=”yes” single_overlay_anim=”no” single_h_align=”center” single_h_align_mobile=”center” single_padding=”5″ single_title_transform=”uppercase” single_title_dimension=”h4″ single_title_family=”font-377884″ single_title_weight=”700″ single_title_height=”fontheight-554561″ single_title_space=”fontspace-102651″ single_border=”yes” single_css_animation=”zoom-in” single_text_inline=”yes” filtering_menu=”inline” single_text_hover=”yes” single_block_click=”yes” single_title_serif=”” single_title_divider=”yes” single_no_background=”” items=”eyI0MjM3X2kiOnsic2luZ2xlX3dpZHRoIjoiMTIiLCJzaW5nbGVfaGVpZ2h0IjoiNCJ9LCI0MTkzX2kiOnsic2luZ2xlX3dpZHRoIjoiMTIiLCJzaW5nbGVfaGVpZ2h0IjoiNiIsInNpbmdsZV90aXRsZV9kaW1lbnNpb24iOiJmb250c2l6ZS0zMzg2ODYifSwiNTE3MjNfaSI6eyJzaW5nbGVfaWNvbiI6IiJ9fQ==” single_title_bold=”yes” single_half_padding=”” single_image_size=”thumb” footer_position=”left” carousel_rtl=”” order_ids=”4193,4231,4247,4252,4225″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
to a Costa Rican surf camp[/vc_custom_heading][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]The chances are you either love surfing or you’re really excited to learn about it! Either way, it’s time to focus on one of the most essential elements of Dreamsea Costa Rica: The comprehensive surf program ingrained within it
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”0″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”2″ top_padding=”7″ bottom_padding=”7″ back_image=”51742″ back_attachment=”scroll” back_position=”center center” parallax=”yes” overlay_color=”accent” overlay_alpha=”80″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” expand_height=”yes” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”7″ top_padding=”2″ bottom_padding=”2″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”0″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”0″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h6″ text_size=”h3″ text_space=”fontspace-731609″ text_font=”font-762333″ text_weight=”500″ text_transform=”uppercase” text_color=”color-jevc” separator=”yes” separator_color=”yes” sub_reduced=”yes” text_align=”text-center” text_serif=””]First, lets talk a bit about surfing in Costa Rica[/vc_custom_heading][vc_empty_space empty_h=”0″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”3″ overlay_alpha=”50″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]As one of the most famous surf spots in the world, you are absolutely spoiled with so many different options of beaches and waves to choose from. Boasting two Coast lines, you can find decent waves throughout the entire calendar year. Tamarindo is located on the Pacific coast, making use of some of the most consistent surf and offshore winds generated by the low pressure systems of New Zealand.Tamarindo has a huge selection of surfing opportunities. The town is located on a beach perfect for beginners to learn, while areas such as the river mouth and pico pequeno within Playa Tamarindo, appeal to the more advanced surfers. With multiple daily shuttles to the beach, you are able to take advantage of the awesome surf at Tamarindo, and also Playa Grande and Playa Langosta, which cater to the more skilled surfer! Also with famous surf spots such as Playa Avellanas and Playa Negra being just down the road, the camp also arranges weekly surf excursions to really track down the best of the best. These weekly surf excursions are one element of a surf program designed to satisfy even the most addicted surfer, which includes:
– Morning surf sessions
– Surf lessons
– Surf tutorials and videos
– Specialized weekly surf trips
– Evening surf tips
This huge array of options allows Dreamsea to effortlessly cater to every level of surfer. Let me talk a little bit about each phase of the daily surf schedule.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”0″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”2″ top_padding=”7″ bottom_padding=”7″ back_image=”51749″ back_attachment=”scroll” back_position=”center center” parallax=”yes” overlay_color=”accent” overlay_alpha=”55″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” expand_height=”yes” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row row_height_percent=”0″ override_padding=”yes” h_padding=”7″ top_padding=”2″ bottom_padding=”2″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ shift_y=”0″][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ position_vertical=”middle” align_horizontal=”align_center” overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ medium_width=”0″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ width=”1/1″][vc_empty_space empty_h=”1″][vc_custom_heading heading_semantic=”h3″ text_size=”h3″ text_space=”fontspace-731609″ text_font=”font-762333″ text_weight=”500″ text_transform=”uppercase” text_color=”color-jevc” separator=”yes” separator_color=”yes” sub_reduced=”yes” text_align=”text-center” text_serif=””]Morning Surf Session[/vc_custom_heading][vc_empty_space empty_h=”0″][vc_column_text]
The morning surf session leaves at around 6am every day for Langosta or Tamarindo. For those who set their alarms and hop on the shuttle, this is never a disappointing adventure. The sun is less hot and the beach is practically empty. You wake up only to the sound of perfect waves breaking on to the beach, which is without a doubt the most peaceful and fulfilling way to start your morning. Alongside the staff and volunteers, you can surf for two hours before returning to refuel on a huge breakfast! Surfing with these more experienced surfers is incredibly useful for gaining tips and advice from them. As the only group in the water, you don’t get lost in the crowd so they have a chance to really analyze your technique and help you improve. What better way to start the day than that!
The surf lessons have been by far one of my favorite parts of staying at Dreamsea. As soon as breakfast is over, the surf instructors begin organizing lessons, checking who wants to come and letting us know the time and location. Each group is split into levels based on ability so that the lessons can be more focused and useful.
Currently, we have two very experienced and highly trained surf instructors from some of the best surf camps in the world. Antonio’s surfing background is the total opposite of the perfect Hawaiian picture of surfing; He comes from cold, rainy, cloudy Galicia, in north west Spain. His style is old school and he is incredibly patient as he teaches it. His joy in your success is completely genuine and my style has improved more than I ever expected thanks to his hard work. Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, Fran is a sea surfer from the Mediterranean coast of Spain. His main goal is all about having fun! He strongly believes there is no right or wrong way to surf and that you will achieve your goals naturally as long as you are enjoying yourself. This for me is a refreshing way to be taught. Fran really relaxed the whole group bringing the focus back to enjoyment, effortlessly avoiding the easy trap of frustration. Both of these guys, as well as all of the other surf instructors that Dreamsea has on staff, work incredibly hard to make sure that everyone achieves their personal goals and more during their time at camp. The motivation and support provided by the surf instructors has truly given everyone at camp so much hope and energy throughout our stay!
Most surf lessons are based around three key facets: Safety, Having Fun, and Progress. The lessons generally begin with a theory class, followed by a warm up, then a game or special exercise, and of course ultimately the surfing. The classes are very small in size, generally with a maximum of around three people. This allows the instructors to pay really close attention, providing constant feedback and support.
There was a constant array of people surfing, doing yoga, playing volleyball or simply just chilling. It was an especially perfect day as even a few people who had left the camp rented a car just to find us! (Once people leave Dreamsea, they always seem to find their way back!) We finished off the day with a first aid, lifeguarding and safety lesson from the staff. We learned about rip tides, how to spot them and what to do if you or someone else is caught in one. Once CPR training was under our belts too, we went back in the sea more conscious and prepared than ever.
One thing you’ll hear said a lot at Dreamsea is that – “This is a school, and a place of learning.”. After a family style dinner, the surf instructors take the opportunity of everyone being together to give a detailed surf tip for the day. They share a little piece of knowledge that you can take with you to your next day of surfing. These tips mainly center around safety, technique, style, and equipment.
One night every week, the staff prepares a surf tutorial and video analysis which provides the opportunity to learn the theory of surfing. For many surfers, this is an invaluable addition to understanding surfing technique and an undervalued method of quickly progressing. For me personally, it was a beginner’s lesson focusing on paddling. It genuinely allowed me to improve my efficiency and ultimately catch more waves. This in turn has vastly multiplied with each time I spend surfing, working on my posture and maneuverability. The focus isn’t just on technique and style though. It has been really interesting to learn more about surfing in its wider context, including its history and the way it has evolved. With this wealth of knowledge amongst the staff and instructors at the camp, it is the perfect chance to absorb knowledge from those who live and breathe the sport.
This packed schedule runs throughout the week and you can stop and ask the staff or surf instructors about it at any moment around the camp. For me, that has been one of the most important parts of surfing at Dreamsea Costa Rica. The surf instructors stay at the camp, becoming close friends and building trust so that no question seems too insignificant or silly to ask them! When two guests, Michael and Todd left yesterday, Anton spent hours writing them a ‘surf bible’ of everything they need to continue working on long in to the future – Just an example of how much Dreamsea’s surf instructor’s guys really care (Thank you so much for all your hard work!!!).
Whether you’re a beginner in the water, an advanced surfer, or somewhere in between, Dreamsea Costa Rica genuinely provides you an opportunity to maximize your potential on a surfboard. With an experienced and supportive surf instruction team leading the way, there is no doubt that you will leave Dreamsea a much more passionate, knowledgeable, and skilled surfer, than when you first arrived!
– Hannah Blower
*This blog is part of a five-part series written by a former Dreamsea Costa Rica Volunteer, Hannah Blower. This mini-series focuses on five separate dynamics of the Dreamsea Surf Camp Costa Rica Volunteer program which are intended to provide prospective Volunteers additional insight into what it means to be a part of the Dreamsea Costa Rica volunteer team.*