CR Surf Report for 5-20-07

Costa Rica's Weekly Surf Report
Volume 9, Issue 384
May 20th, 2007

NATIONAL FORECAST

Pacific - All the models show different predictions, so this is how it's going to go down. The week starts with a dropping swell up north, down to chest high with a rare head high set with the rising tide. Down south, it stays a foot overhead. By Wednesday, the waves pick up a foot, and by Thursday the coast is lashed by a near shore system pushing in two foot overhead surf. By Friday we'll know if it's tropical and how heavy the swell will be. Could be big and stormy, but at least it will be big for the weekend 1-3 foot overhead. By Sunday night the storm will have passed north, leaving overhead conditions from a long range southwest swell filing across the Pacific. This swell sticks around for the following week, nothing huge, but lots of waves.

Caribbean - The wave tap has turned off for the month, leaving only waist high leftovers for the week. Nothing bigger, only smaller on Thursday and Friday. Slight chance for a NE swell next week, and watch out on the Pacific for hurricane formation to avoid heavy rains and flooding.

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

TIDES for 5/20/07 (add ~50 min. each day)

High Tide - 8.77 feet at 6:07 a.m.
Low Tide - .76 feet at 12:07 p.m.

Full Moon - 5/31

TOP NEWS

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.

Pura Mar Surf Shop for Sale - Own a surf shop in Tamarindo for $50K or best offer. Contact Diana for details at puramartamarindo@...

Contact info@... to get your trip package reservations. Family Surf Lessons can be custom built for your experience and budget.

** Surf Reporters **
Diana at PuraMar Surf School (653-1355) in Tamarindo - puramartamarindo@...
Hotel Las Tortugas (653-0423) in Playa Grande - surfegg@...
Chosita del Surf (643-1308, fax 643-3328) in Jaco - chucks@...
Rancho Coral (778-8648) in Esterillos - wearesurfing@...
Hotel Totem in Playa Cocles (750-0758) - totem368@...
Witchs Rock Surf Camp in Tamarindo - stephenmonticone@...
John Lyman Photography in Playa Negra - lymanphoto@...
Samara Surf School (656-0055) in Samara - jesse@...
Land Assurance (787-0291) in Dominical - info@...
Coconut Harrys (682-0574) in Playa Guiones - reyersteve@...

** Sponsors **
Surfer's Guide to Costa Rica www.surfingtravel.com
Pablos Picasso Hotel and Restaurant (658-8158) in Playa Negra -pablospicassohotel@...
Hotel Poseidon (Toll free:888-643-1242 or 643-1642) reservations@...
Cashew Hill Jungle Lodge (750-0256) in Puerto Viejo - reservations@...
Cabinas Las Olas (658-8315 Fax: 222-8685) in Playa Avellanas - olassa@...
Teen Spanish and Surf Camps (1-800-765-0025) - info@...
Cafe Playa Negra (658-8351) - cafeplayanegra@...
School of the World (643-2462) in Jaco - info@...
Roca Bruja Surf Tours (670-1020) in Playa del Coco - rocasurf@...
CR Surfing Guide (619-520-3545) - gustavo@...
Villas Rio Mar (787-0052 fax 787-0054) in Playa Dominical - info@...
Tico Travel - Surf Trips (1-800-493-8426) - info@...
Costa Paraiso Lodge (787-0025) in Dominicalito - info@...
Hotel La Dolce Vita (778-7015 ) in Esterillos - info@...
La Sirena Hotel (1-800-493-8426) in Quepos - info@...
Third World Surf (643-1497) in Jaco - thirdworldproductionscr@...
Ranchos Ituana (640-0095) in Mal Pais - peter@...
Nature Cabina for rent near Dominical Beaches - qpb@...
Kevin's Transfers (643-2604 / cell:(712) 361-9218) in Jaco - comeeds@...
A Surfer's Dream House in Playa Negra - info@...
*****************

AREA REPORTS (sent in on 5/19 or posted)

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

Well, the surf has been anything but big but its been really fun. Yesterday (Thursday) was basically the same as Wednesday, and its looking like today is going to be the same, perhaps a little bit bigger as out in front of the camp there are some bigger sets coming in, and its still low tide. High tide is in the afternoon, and there hasn't been too much wind. Its definitely longboard time but the waves are open and there are 15-20 second rides, so lots of nose rides! Grab your big board and surf the rivermouth as there have been plenty of waves with not many people out, believe it or not. See you in the water- joe

** From photographer John Lyman, Lyman Photos in Playa Negra -

AREA WAVE HEIGHTS AND CONDITIONS - Tamano de las olas y condiciones: The waves have been head high and different every morning. This morning was classy and fun until mid day when it came onshore. Sunny skies with those big puffy clouds floating around up there. Some rain showers later in the day.

WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEKEND (weather and waves) - Que va a pasar este fin de semana (clima y olas): Look for an increase in surf for in the next few days with headhigh to well overhead at the right tide. We are in that early rainy season mode. Maybe some rain in the afternoons and early evenings.

BEST PLACE TO SURF THIS WEEKEND IN YOUR AREA - El mejor lugar a surfear este fin de semana en su area: The tide is really high early in the mornings all this week. Check out Playa Negra early and Avellanas midday.

NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS- Noticias y dias especiales: See the surf today at Playa Negra. www.lymanphotos.sbpix.com .

** From Steve at Coconut Harrys Surf Shop in Playa Guiones -

AREA WAVE HEIGHTS AND CONDITIONS - Tamano de las olas y condiciones: 2-3 ft waist to chest high clean and fun.

WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEKEND (weather and waves) - Que va a pasar este fin de semana (clima y olas): The weather is cloudy and rainy. The wave forecast shows bigger waves from a SSW swell but we have not seen them yet. Waves today are still pequenas.

BEST PLACE TO SURF THIS WEEKEND IN YOUR AREA - El mejor lugar a surfear este fin de semana en su area: Playa Guiones is your best bet.

** From Erik at SurfingNosara.com in Playa Guiones - (5/20)

Guiones was super fun this morning, but you just had to wait a long time for the waves... this swell is from the far south, so I dont think too much of it is getting in to the bay here. When the waves did come through it was about head high, maybe a bigger peak or so, and it got fun and hollow with the low tide... Pics were taken very early about 7, which is what I am trying to do now (so it gets done), and you can tell that the tide was still high, and the waves were somewhat mushy...

** From Sunrise at the Samara Surf School -

Surfs up! Make it your way to playa Samara and come surfing with us. Enjoy the rain, glassy sessions for the evening.. Come one, come all.. Pura vida and Happy May...

** From Chuck at Walking on Water Surf Shop in Jaco -

AREA WAVE HEIGHTS AND CONDITIONS - Tamano de las olas y condiciones: Bueno , 3/5 ft at Hermosa and 2/4 ft out front , fun clean if a bit stormy out front , a bit of red tide comes and gos but no worries its real patchy so you can always find a clean section. I hear its really bad in other areas , maybe you should let us know ! Need a new board ? Check out www.surfindustries.com and after you see what you want go to the dealer locator to find an easy way to get one ! Pure Surf Distribution S.A. along with a few quality oriented shops will be making it so much easier to get a great new board ! If you own a shop here or in Nicaragua get in touch with us at chucks@... for some info on how to become part of this network ! Congratulations Carlos and Julia at the new to open store June 1st - BLOWFISH Surf Shop in Dominical where you will now be able to find everything you need for your adventure in the "SOUTHERN ZONE", see over 30 new boards there at opening day !

** From Brice at Land Assurance in Dominical -

AREA WAVE HEIGHTS AND CONDITIONS: The swell has grown a little bit, but we are still seeing head high or less at the beach. The point hasn't worked in weeks. However, the waves have nice form at mid-tide. A bit mushy at high tide.

WHAT TO EXPECT THIS WEEKEND (weather and waves): Looks like a good swell is coming in on Monday or Tuesday. It looks especially good because the waves are coming from several different sources which lends to peakier conditions.

BEST PLACE TO SURF THIS WEEKEND IN YOUR AREA: Right now the beaches are the only place. Because of the rain, the river mouth at Dominical is dirty. Going in by the lifeguard tower is usually a bit more enjoyable (but sometimes more crowded). However, this swell looks like it will light up "the point" and every other good break that holds a bigger wave. Expect overhead waves!