Costa Rica's Weekly Surf Report for January 1, 2005

Costa Rica's Weekly Surf Report
Volume 8, Issue 267
January 1, 2005

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Top News -

In order to make the town safer, Tamarindo businesses have hired
lifeguards and increased police resources. View the whole story on
the Tico Times website - www.ticotimes.net/newsbriefs.htm

Check out the results from the Moh's Classic in Tamarindo -
www.crsurf.com/index.html

Upcoming Events on the Costa Rica Surf Circuit-
5 star Salsa Brava Trofy - Puerto Viejo - 8 y 9 Enero
4 star Trofeo Rider - Dominical - 12 y 13 de Febrero
3 star Grand Prix - Mango Jacó - 12 y 13 de Marzo
4 star Trofeo Dakine - Nosara - 9 y 10 de Abril
6 star - Playa Hermosa - 28 y 29 de Mayo


Pick up your copy of the 2005 Sportsgirls Calendar to support the
local Casa del Suenos - www.ranchocoral.com/page3.html

Andrea Diaz - www.wavescr.com has a great camp for learning to surf
or finding professional surf guides to raise the bar on your hi-
perfrormance hack-attack. Email Andrea at info@... to get
the details.

Check www.ticoshopping.com for Costa Rican foods. And tell them
CRSURF sent you.

Have a question? We have answers! Send a note to info@...
before your next trip to get the info on waves, boards, and places
to stay.

TIDES *for Saturday
(add 50 min. each day after)

New Moon - January 10th

Low Tide: .98 ft at 12:27 pm
High Tide: 7.89 ft at 6:22 am

NATIONAL FORECAST

Pacific - Mornings are the call all weekend and early next week.
Swells arrive in the early hours off the northwest coast and before
the stiff offhore winds blow it flat, you have some chest high surf
through Wednesday, a head high set if you're lucky. Then by next
Friday the first SSW sneaks some chest high surf up South America
and fills in with some head high to overhead peaks by next Saturday.
Drops back off after next weekend. Best bet is to hit up some
Caribbean stylee.

Caribbean - Sunday morning calls for overhead surf at the
beachbreaks and the reefs starting to fire. The swell peaks out
Monday and then drops back to chest to head by Tuesday. Wednesday
and Thursday have more chest to head high surf, with bigger sets
every half hour.

** Surf Reporters **

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

Witchs Rock Surf Camp (653-1262)
reservations@...

Coconut Harrys in Nosara
www.coconutharrys.com

Hotel Magellan Inn (755-0035) in Cahuita
magellaninn@...

Diane at PuraMar Surf School (653-1355) in Tamarindo
disurfin@...

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

Roca Bruja Surf Tours (670-1020) in Playa del Coco
rocasurf@...

Tamarindo Adventures (653-0108) in Tamarindo
tamquad@...

Chosita del Surf (643-1308, fax 643-3328) in Jaco
chucks@...

Rancho Coral (778-8648) in Esterillos
wearesurfing@...

Green Iguana Surf Camp (825-1381) in Dominical
admin@...

** Sponsors **

Michael Dolsey Designs- Surfboards, boardshorts, Fins, Leashes and
Lycra. Private label. Blanks stocked. SUN Epoxy surfboards - Perfect
Surfboards for beginners and Surf Camps. Contacts: Michael Dolsey -
(506)-844-5469, Jose Urena - 380-2751, and Matthew Scott - 643-3250

Cashew Hill Jungle Lodge (750-0256) in Puerto Viejo
reservations@...

Cabinas Casa Verde (750-0015 fax 750-0047) in Puerto Viejo
http://www.cabinascasaverde.com/

Cabinas Las Olas (658-8315 Fax: 222-8685) in Playa Avellanas
olassa@...

Hotel Cariblue (750-0057) in Cocles (Puerto Viejo)
cariblue@...

Kevin's Transfers (643-2604 / cell:(712) 361-9218) in Jaco
comeeds@...

A Surfer's Dream House in Playa Negra
info@...

Roca Verde Hotel (787-0036 fax 787-0013) in Dominical
info@...

Third World Productions (643-1064) Surf Camp, Trips, & Photography
thirdworldproductionscr@...

Villas Rio Mar (787-0052 fax 787-0054) in Playa Dominical
info@...

Tico Travel - Surf Trips (1-800-493-8426)
info@...

Cashew Hill Jungle Lodge 506-750-0256 in Puerto Viejo
reservations@...

Witchs Rock Surf Camp (653-1262) in Tamarindo
reservations@...

Dos Palmas Studio Apartments (430-4258) in San Jose
info@...

Hotel Terraza del Pacifico (643-3222 fax: 643-3424) in Playa Hermosa
terraza@...

Wayra Spanish School Phone/Fax: 653-0359 in Tamarindo
info@...

Pablos Picasso Hotel and Restaurant (658-8158) in Playa Negra
pabloscr@...

Villa Taype (682-0280 fax: 682-0187) in Nosara
info@...

Hotel Poseidon (Toll free:888-643-1242 or in C.R. 506-643-1642)
reservations@...

SurfProducts.com - Get set for your trip! (1-321-799-3563)
sales@...

Hotel Yare (750-0106, fax 750-0420) in Playa Cocles
hotelyare@...

Hotel Mar Paraiso (240-4053, fax 236-6826) in Jaco
info@...

Hotel Cafe de Paris (682-0087, fax 682-0089) in Nosara
info@...

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

Do you want to surf? Do you want to learn Spanish? Visit A.E.C.
Dominical - http://www.crsurf.com/flyer.html

*****************

AREA REPORTS

NICOYA (N)

** From Diana at Pura Mar Surf Shop in Tamarindo -

Christmas doesn't seem all that Christmasy when it's hot, but it
comes anyway. We had a nice west/northwest swell as a Christmas
present last week. It's amazing how the waves break bigger and
better at different parts of the beach with the different swell
directions. It stands to reason, of course, but it's just an amazing
thing to watch. The biggest and best waves were over the rocks in
front of "The Circle" and Nougi's–down by the rivermouth they were
much smaller, a little closed out and there were a lot of currents
swirling around.

This is a really busy time of year in Tamarindo! Luca and I have
been giving lessons like crazy and I'm training another friend Alex
to help us. Yesterday I had to borrow a friend's longboard because I
had more students than boards! Starting last night, there's a big
party somewhere every night until the first of the year. I can't
personally hold up through that many parties in a row–I'm saving up
for the 31st.

In the last week, the wind has really picked up. The Papagayo winds
come every year around this time and continue on through March or
April. The Papagayo winds are off-shore gale-like winds that blow at
first in the afternoons, then from morning to evening, then 24/7 in
February and March, then slack off in the same fashion as the rainy
season approaches. Off-shore winds are a good thing, but these are
sometimes overkill. They really cool down the water and make early
morning/late afternoon sessions feel chilly.

We wish everyone a happy holiday, and a safe, happy new year. Hope
to see lots of you surfing here in 2005!

** From Louis at Hotel Las Tortugas in Playa Grande - AREA WAVE
HEIGHTS AND CONDITIONS - Tamano de las olas y condiciones: We've
been enjoying a waist to shoulder high, perfect swell with
occasional overhead sets. The light all day off shores and dual
sessions have been fanning everyones enthusiasm in spite of the
holiday crowds rife with clueless beginners.

WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEKEND (weather and waves) - Que va a pasar
este fin de semana (clima y olas): The swell has been jumping up and
down, especially in consistency, and conditions are good here if the
swell holds or increases. As long as it is small, and many spots are
flat, don't look for a drop in the crowds. The Bikini show on the
beach is worth a check out between sessions since high tide is both
in the morning and evening. A lot of surfers are sleeping in for the
morning session.

BEST PLACE TO SURF THIS WEEKEND IN YOUR AREA - El mejor lugar a
surfear este fin de semana en su area: The whole bay is lighting up
with the westerly swells. Try to find some space among all the
surfers.

** From Joe at Witchs Rock Surf Camp in Tamarindo -

AREA WAVE HEIGHTS AND CONDITIONS - Well...the surf could definitely
get bigger. In town we've had offshore winds every day, and surf has
reached chest high at best. Outside of town, I've found shoulder to
head high surf with some awesome conditions. Not as big as it can
get, but with these Papagayo winds blowing offshore the conditions
are set up perfectly for the next swell.

WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEKEND (weather and waves) - The swell models
are showing a late season south swell on the way, starting to show
this Sunday and filling in Monday and Tuesday. For the weekend,
bring the longboard and leave the big wave gun at home. We'll be
lucky to see waist to occasional nipple high surf, but it will be
fun and the water is very nice...

BEST PLACE TO SURF THIS WEEKEND IN YOUR AREA - If you get out of
town, many spots are seeing great waves. Witch's Rock has been by
far the best, with shoulder to high waves despite the lack of swell.
If you can't make it the rock, find the best beach break that sucks
up swell (I'm sure you know where to go). And, if you don't know
where to go, maybe you should stay at home and cheer for the SD
Chargers.

NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS- Sunday was a sad day for San Diego, but we
did show that we're a playoff contender. Expect a solid home game
win by the Chargers, which is the big upcoming event for yours
truly. Also check www.witchsrocksurfcamp.com for great surf trips
throughout the Guanacaste Coast! Pura vida- joe

** From Coconut Harry in Playa Guiones (Nosara) -

Surf is 'poquena' however, fu anyway + you can stay out for hours
due
to consistent off-shore winds.Happy New Year! Coconut Harry! Lessons
are $25/hour when you rent a board from Coconut Harry's Surf Shop -
visit me at www.coconutharrys.com

JACO & HERMOSA

** From Tommy at Rancho Coral in Esterillos -

Direction & Height: SW 1-2ft. (from the back of the wave) Sea
Surface: Glass, Wind: South 0-3 MPH, Sunrise: 5:53 AM, Sunset: 5:26
PM, Current Conditions: New Year's Eve has some really interesting
parties going on which is good because we are not under too much
surf. However, we surfed a spot today and we are supposed to get a
boost from the Southwest for tomorrow, The Carribean should have a
great week a quick trip over to Bocas Panama would be a great idea
if you want some Carribean juice, PURA VIDA!!!! ! Pick up your copy
of the 2005 Sportsgirls Calendar to support the local Casa del
Suenos - www.ranchocoral.com/page3.html

For daily reports, please check the Rovercam link at www.rovercam.com

QUEPOS & MANUEL ANTONIO

DOMINICAL & OSA

CARIBBEAN

** From Cashew Hill Lodge in Puerto Viejo -

AREA WAVE HEIGHTS AND CONDITIONS - 3 - 5 ft. at Beach Break, Playa
Cocles Playa Negra good for beginners. Salsa has nothing.

WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEKEND (weather and waves) - Good waves at
Beach Break, Playa Cocles.

BEST PLACE TO SURF THIS WEEKEND IN YOUR AREA - Beach Break

NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS- "Skindog," of 'Billabong Odyssey'
and 'Stepping into Liquid' (surf videos), is in town- Nino Medrano
and Gilbert Brown are in town, preparing for the contest in Janaury.