CR Surf Report for 2-19-06

Costa Rica's Weekly Surf Report
Volume 8, Issue 322
February 19th, 2006

NATIONAL FORECAST

Pacific - Waves overhead on Sunday and Monday on the Guanacaste coast with a few sets a foot overhead. Surf is only head high from Hermosa south, but with great shape with morning high tides. Drops down to head high by Tuesday up north and chest high by Wednesday, with continued chest to head high surf through to the weekend. No big swells expected until a week from Wednesday, when waves 1-2 foot overhead arrive in packs of 3 from the Southwest.

Caribbean - Continued big surf, overhead to 2 foot overhead on Sunday, with the bigger sets disappearing for a day on Monday. Tuesday calls for surf a foot overhead, the same for Wednesday and Thursday with sets 2 foot overhead every half hour. Then another East swell thumps the coast with 2+ foot overhead surf for next Friday afternoon and Saturday. Best spots are reefs and points and beachbreaks may close out.

To do your own forecast - use our links at http://www.crsurf.com/surflink.html

TIDES for 2/19/06

High Tide: 7.53 ft at 6:34 am
Low Tide: .94 ft at 12:29 pm
(add ~50 min. each day)
New Moon - 2/27

TOP NEWS

High Court Rules on Shark Finning Case - By María Gabriela Díaz, Tico Times

Isaac Vega wins the Open Division in the Copa Mango contest in Dominical, leads after four events on the CNS. Read it on the CRSURF homepage.

Dates for the Circuito Nacional de Surf tour -
3/4-5 - Nosara - Copa Mango
4/7-8 - Playa Hermosa Gran Final

TRAVEL SPECIALS

Pro-Am contest in Jaco to benefit local environmental groups - Go to www.costaricaexcursions.com for more details.

It's time to start planning for the 2006 Rabbit Kekai contest, June 15th to 30th. Go to www.4surfing.org for more info.

3 night - 2 day, all-inclusive surf trip on the central Pacific. Only $250! Contact Rodolfo at turdosmil@.... To see the rooms, visit www.cerrolodge.net.

Seven Day Yoga Retreat at the Cashew Hill Jungle Lodge in Puerto Viejo - only $1299.

** Surf Reporters **
John Lyman Photography- Tamarindo -lymanphoto@...
Samara Surf School (656-0055) in Samara jesse@...
Land Assurance (787-0291) in Dominical info@...
Coconut Harrys in Nosara www.coconutharrys.com
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@...
Chosita del Surf (643-1308, fax 643-3328) in Jaco chucks@...
Rancho Coral (778-8648) in Esterillos wearesurfing@...

** Sponsors **
Teen Spanish and Surf Camps (1-800-765-0025) info@...
Cafe Playa Negra (658-8351) cafeplayanegra@...
Green Iguana Surf Camp (825-1381) in Dominical admin@...
School of the World (643-2462) in Jaco info@...
Third World Surf (643-1497)in Jaco thirdworldproductionscr@...
Ranchos Ituana (640-0095) in Mal Pais - peter@...
Tres Monos Lodge (640-0090, 825-1381) in Mal Pais - karla_malpais@...
Nature Cabina for rent near Dominical Beaches qpb@...
Villa of The Rock (653-0498) in Playa Grande villaroca@...
Kevin's Transfers (643-2604 / cell:(712) 361-9218) in Jaco comeeds@...
A Surfer's Dream House in Playa Negra info@...
Villas Rio Mar (787-0052 fax 787-0054) in Playa Dominical info@...
Tico Travel - Surf Trips (1-800-493-8426) info@...
Hotel Terraza del Pacifico (643-3222 fax: 643-3424) in Playa Hermosa terraza@...
Wayra Spanish School (653-0359) in Tamarindo info@...
Costa Paraiso Lodge (787-0025) in Dominicalito - info@...
Casa del Noche - House for Rent in Playa Guiones - gcarabelli@...
Surfer's Guide to Costa Rica www.surfingtravel.com
Pablos Picasso Hotel and Restaurant (658-8158) in Playa Negra pabloscr@...
Hotel Poseidon (Toll free:888-643-1242 or 643-1642) reservations@...
Hotel Mar Paraiso (240-4053, fax 236-6826) in Jaco info@...
Hotel Cafe de Paris (682-0087, fax 682-0089) in Nosara info@...
Cashew Hill Jungle Lodge (750-0256) in Puerto Viejo reservations@...
Cabinas Las Olas (658-8315 Fax: 222-8685) in Playa Avellanas olassa@...
*****************

AREA REPORTS (sent in on 2/18)

** From Louis at Hotel Las Tortugas in Playa Grande -

AREA WAVE HEIGHTS AND CONDITIONS - Tamano de las olas y condiciones: Nice overhead swell running with off shores all day for double sessions in the morning and afternoon.
WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEKEND (weather and waves) - Que va a pasar este fin de semana (clima y olas): More of the same. Bring your vest, the water is nippy with all the off shores.
BEST PLACE TO SURF THIS WEEKEND IN YOUR AREA - El mejor lugar a surfear este fin de semana en su area: Lots of working peaks - take your pick.

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

AREA WAVES AND CONDITIONS- Looks like 2-4 feet with a NE direction on the Pacific side. Winds are lighter than they have been all week, making conditions a bit friendlier. Waves are fun if a little mushy.
WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEKEND- Looks like the winds will continue to be a good direction, typical of this time of year. Size seems to be tapering off this week, but the low crowd numbers are a BIG plus before college spring break!
BEST PLACE TO SURF THIS WEEKEND IN YOUR AREA- With the waning swell size, it may be best to hit the wide beach areas such as Nosara and Avellanas. While the size is down, the frequency of waves and low crowd numbers should make for a fun time.
NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS- March 4 and 5, Playa Nosara, next stop on the Circuito Nacional. Since the competition this year is th e fiercest it's ever been, this is one you don't want to miss!! Pura vida!

** From John Lyman Photography in Playa Negra -

AREA WAVE HEIGHTS AND CONDITIONS - Tamano de las o las y condiciones : The surf has been very small for the last week. The offshore wind has come back very strong and that´s no help with already small waves. Bright sunny skies is the order of the day now.
WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEKEND (weather and waves) - Que va a pasar este fin de semana ( clima y o las ): We are hoping the southwest swell predicted will show up by this weekend. Could be classic overhead ofshore Negra barrels. Look for some fun headhigh waves by mid week. A bit of North in it will make A frame peaks around here.
BEST PLACE TO SURF THIS WEEK EN D IN YOUR AREA - El mejor lugar a surfear este fin de semana en su area: Try Playa Negra with the morning and afternoon high tides this week. Mid days look for Avellanas rivermouth to be the spot with the lower tide.
NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS- Noticias y dias especiales : John Lyman Photos is shooting visitors and locals at Playa Negra very morning and afternoon. Come on down and get yourself shot. You can see your photos at the office across the street for The Cafe Playa Negra. Check it out.

** From Coconut Harry's Surf Shop in Playa Nosara -

Consistent chest to head-high set waves and good shape around the high tides. Wind finally abated and we're back to 'normal'. Pura Vida from Coconut Harry

** From Sunshine at Samara Surf School in Playa Samara -

AREA WAVE HEIGHTS AND CONDITIONS - Tamano de las olas y condiciones: The swell is back! 3 to 5 foot waves rolling in. Best conditions are in between low and high tides, the waves clean up a bit and aren't as full. Easier to catch. Pretty choppy and mushy but great sunset sesh with occasional off shore winds, for perfect wave conditions.
WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEKEND (weather and waves) - Que va a pasar este fin de semana (clima y olas): The swell expected to hold over the weekend, but will back down to the normal smaller sized waves during high tides, and perfect whitewater conditions, perfect for beginners and children during low tides. Lots of waves to catch, good inside break, nice smaller waves, bigger waves only closing out.
BEST PLACE TO SURF THIS WEEKEND IN YOUR AREA - El mejor lugar a surfear este fin de semana en su area: The best surfing spot in Samara is right in front of the Las Brisas Del Pacifico hotel. No crowds or localism, with the waves breaking a little farther off shore.
NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS- Noticias y dias especiales: The conditions in Samara are bigger now, great for intermediate and advanced surfers, so all surfers can come enjoy Samara.!! Also if you've always wanted to learn surfing come on down or over! Always great whitewater for beginner lessons! Pura Vida

** From Brice at Land Assurance Tree Reforestation in Dominical -

AREA WAVE HEIGHTS AND CONDITIONS - Tamano de las olas y condiciones: Well, after 3 months of not going in the water because of an injury, I made it out today with fins and a boogie. Very small but nicely formed waves that were very consistent for Dominical. Shoulder high and a little closed out.
WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEKEND (weather and waves) - Que va a pasar este fin de semana (clima y olas): The single event giving the consistency today is fading out over the next few days. I imagine we will have very small surf over the weekend.
BEST PLACE TO SURF THIS WEEKEND IN YOUR AREA - El mejor lugar a surfear este fin de semana en su area: The beach in Dominical.