Guest Shots

The Windstar Cruiseship, outside of the port of Caldera.

Everyone knows Lola the Pig, from Avellanas. She's always out on the beach, checking out the hot surfers.

SPECIAL REPORTS ~ A few good causes to support…

Sadly, heavy rain last week lead to widespread flooding and landslides in the south of Costa Rica and Northern Panama - many people have lost everything. Thousands of people have had to leave their homes and there is an estimated $77 million worth of damage to crops, infrastructure and community buildings such as schools and clinics.

Indigenous people have been the worst hit as they rely heavily on small crops to gain a small income and feed themselves and their families - many people are now without crops to feed their families. Please consider helping those affected by the floods by donating money or bringing over some supplies (either yourself or through anyone who you know is coming to Costa Rica over the coming weeks) - this is something very real and something happening right at this very moment. You have a choice and we urge you to help in whatever way you are able to, no matter how small. ~ Tropical Adventures

** CR Surf Travel Co. will match the first $50 for a donation made to help them. After sending them the funds, email us and we'll forward our gift as well.

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Project Green Jungle. (Facebook) Hey everyone, We need your help in order to to see our goals become a reality. Tom, one of our directors, is there now with fellow members of our organization starting the beginning phases of our work with the Bri-Bri of Kacharbri. In order for us to start building our facility, which will supply jobs to the indigenous of the area, we need donations from our supporters. Being that we are a non-profit we cannot do this without you. We now have 317 members on Facebook. If we could all donate just $10 that would help our progress tremendously! All of the money donated will go directly to the progress of the facility. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to message me. Thank you all - Heather Trott, Volunteer Coordinator, Project Green Jungle

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CEPIA will host a Christmas Party December 20th for 350 children from less privileged backgrounds in the community salon of Huacas. Contact Laetitia Deweer if you wish to participate or donate items to the party. To learn more go to www.cepiacostarica.org or call 506-8301-8282 or 2653-8533.

TOP NEWS & EVENTS

The Second date for the Circuito Nacional surf contest will be in Tamarindo on December 12-14th. This contest is hosted by Witchs Rock Surf Camp.

--> The Surfrider Foundation Tamarindo Chapter will host a Double Beach Cleanup on Saturday December 13th. For Tamarindo neighbors, meet in front of the Iguana Surf parking lot. And for the Langosta residents - meet on the beach in front of the Barcelo - both at 9 a.m. Thanks for participating!! If you're interested in Recycling in Tamarindo, click here.

--> Parties around Tamarindo - Dec. 28th, Espinar Brother’s Infamous Party in Liberia with DJ Bob Sinclair & Soundswell DJ’s. For more info www.publicitycr.com. AND Dec. 31st, New Year’s Eve at Aqua Discotheque with DJ Karlos Elizondo (MEX) & Soundswell DJ’s. BAR ONE will also throw a New Year's bash. Look for details to come.

--> Parties around Jaco - New Years Eve Party featuring Delta Wave (tentative) and the Flying Eyes (tentative) at Hotel Doce Lunas. These two bands bring a combination of influences ranging from Pink Floyd to the Velvet Underground. Also, on 12/13 - Allfest Electric Music Festival (Rave), featuring DJ Sweetbo, DJ Espy and as well as several international Djs.

--> Wind Star 7-Day - Puerto Caldera Roundtrip January 24 & 31; February 28; March 7, 2009. Itinerary: Puerto Caldera, At Sea, San Juan Del Sur, Playas del Coco, Quepos, Bahia Drake, Curu, Tortuga Island, Puerto Caldera. From $1,799 per person. Contact travel@ crsurf.com for details. Visit - www.windstar.com for more Costa Rica cruise options.

--> "Pura Vida Health" , Tamarindo's own unique marketplace of certified organic, organic, homegrown fresh produce and local handmade products and crafts is born! The fair is set to kick off January 8, 9 and 10 and run every two weeks (Thursdays 1pm-4pm, Friday and Saturdays 8:30am-noon). They have graciously been given use of the Vodoo Lounge Art Zentro's back garden bar to host this epic bi-monthly event. (directly behind Vodoo Lounge, next to Plaza Conchal, across from Cabinas Coral Reef) Help them bring a place to be happy and healthy together to our community. More information will come soon about the kick off party on January 8th 2009.

--> The tourism tax of $15 per plane ticket purchased from outside of Costa Rica has passed through the legislature. This replaces a 3.39% tax on hotel rooms. The money raised goes to the ICT, which uses the funds to promote tourism and sustainable practices. The $26 exit tax is still in place. No mention yet on exactly when the additional fee will be added.

SHOP DEALS

The CRSurf Shop is having a Pre-Holiday sale. Free shipping in the continental U.S., and everything has been discounted from 5-15%. Find boardbags, books, backpacks, maps, and straps - all you need for your next trip.

WOW Surf Shop in Jaco has a Christmas special running right now and if you spend 50000 colones or 90$ [not including boards] in their store you will receive 1 of 100 raffle tickets [only 42 left as of today] for a brand new Channel Islands up to 6’6” from their store stock including the new ROOKIE model which is A1's newest release and should go nuts in beachbreak

HOTEL SPECIALS

Tamarindo - The oceanfront Tamarindo Diria is offering 35% off rooms until 12/24. Standard rooms from $79, sunset view from $103. Then for January through April save 25%. Contact us for availability.Santa Teresa - Blue Surf Sanctuary has teamed with up Billabong Surf Camps and will be hosting a "Surf with a Pro Camp in 2009" They are also offering 10% off their surf packages, but you need to let them know you heard about it from CRSURF and ask to sign up for their newsletter.

LATEST AIRLINES DEALS

LAX to LIR $318 Dec 12 - 21 on American Airlines
LGA to LIR $488 Dec 13 - 20 on US Airways
MIA to LIR $400 Feb 18-22 on LACSA
LAX to SJO <$374 any date between 12/2 and 12/10 on American Airlines
MIA to SJO <$229.00 a few dates in mid to late January to early February *
MCO to SJO <$308 a few dates in mid to late January to early February *

* Thanks to our travel partners at Tico Travel, ONE BOARD FLIES FOR FREE on American Airlines flights from Miami or Orlando to San Jose! Seats are filling up fast so do not delay - contact us today.

--> Fight Airline Surfboard Charges Sick of paying airline surcharges for your board? Join the Surfboard Airline Petition to speak out against airline carriers that have banned surfboards.

Environmental Group Spotlight

Tropical Adventures provides volunteer tour packages for individuals, families and groups interested in exploring the culture, language and natural beauty of Costa Rica. Their local volunteer projects offer the adventure of a lifetime for those willing to share their love, skills and time with those less fortunate.

Current Conservation and Wildlife Projects

* Monte Alto Natural Reserve
* Camaronal Sea Turtle Project
* Wildlife Rescue Center

Their goals are to:

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Support the inherent value of the individual
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Reduce poverty and injustice
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Help communities achieve sustainable growth
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Create safe environments
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Promote international learning and cooperation
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Foster personal and worldwide Peace

Every community around the world faces the fundamental challenge to create social and economic systems that promote peace, human welfare and the sustainability of the environment on which life depends. They meet this challenge by supporting and encouraging initiatives by those living and working closest to where the problems are located.

They promote collaboration among diverse individuals, nonprofit, government and businesses from the local area and around the world, as well as from every level of society. Their experience shows such activities help build common understanding, bring forward and reinforce the inherent value of the individual, strengthen a sense of local and worldwide community, and ultimately enable people to improve their lives and reinforce their commitment to society.

To contact Tropical Adventures, call 1-800-832-9419 or +011-506-2574-4412.

Rainforest Aid 2009

A group of musicians, conservation organizations, eco-lodges, promoters and volunteers have gotten together in support of a Global Fundraiser called RainforestAid09 in Costa Rica. Through music, dance, art, and education we can raise enough money for a new Osa landfill, water systems, Corcovado /Sirena station improvements, monies for the hospitals and high schools as well as for programs that protect endangered species and help stop habitat loss. RainforestAid09 could raise millions of dollars for conservation and will potentially generate $1- $2 million in tourism revenue during the rainy season in June 2009. RainforestAid09 will educate & empower people to make sustainable & responsible lifestyle choices that benefit our planet. The festival will be near La Palma and will focus on better choices regarding energy, air, health, climate & transportation.

Everybody Wins with RainforestAid09.....from the jaguars, dolphin, turtles, and Mono Titis to local communities, rural school, businesses, lodges, rental car companies, local tour operators, buses, airlines, and most importantly the conservation groups that are already here on the Osa and doing the work. With your help, RainforestAid09 can be as beneficial as FarmAid was 20+ years ago. Since then musicians such as Sting, Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Billie Joel, Nora Jones and Sheryl Crow have all gotten together in support of the rainforest and have helped raise millions of dollars. There is one key ingredient needed to pull off this festival…your input and support! Join us at RainforestAid June 19-21st 2009 / Summer Solstice next year www.rainforestaid09.com

Do you know of any upcoming events that you would like featured? Contact us at info@ crsurf.com

Costa Rican Congress Shoots Down Proposals To Rezone and Develop Leatherback Sea Turtle National Marine Park

(November 18, 2008 San José, Costa Rica)

Last November 13, The Environmental Commission of the Costa Rican Congress voted 7-1 to table three proposed law changes that sought to rezone Las Baulas Marine National Park and strip protection of critically endangered leatherback sea turtle nesting habitat. The Commission's response to conserve the Eastern Tropical Pacific's most important leatherback nesting beaches (Playa Grande and Playa Langosta), and maintain protection for the Park's surrounding hillsides, sends a powerful message to developers. Protecting the Park's current boundaries is a priority and of the upmost importance to the Environmental Commission.

"The massive support of the Costa Rica people and of the international community definitely helped the Environmental Commission take this wise decision", said Randall Arauz, President of the Costa Rican organization Pretoma. "Developers were trying to convince the Commission that protecting this critical nesting habitat from development wasn't necessary, but they were just defending their own private interests", added Arauz.

The Commission's ruling halts three proposals (16.915, 16.916, and 16.417) to amend the Law that created the National Park, which mandates the strict protection of a 125 meter strip of land above the high tide line. Congressmen José Luis Vásquez and Jorge Eduardo Sánchez, who proposed the amendments, paradoxically claim their intent was to protect leatherback nesting habitat by removing this beachfront protection, which would have facilitated beach front developments. Efforts to amend the Law, finally ground to a halt last November 13 after the Commission also voted to reject over ten additional motions submitted by the two representatives in a last desperate move.

While the stalwart decision is a step in the right direction towards effective protection of Las Baulas National Park, there exist other burgeoning threats. As the proposed changes were being tabled, Congresswoman Grettel Ortiz read a letter from the Environment Ministry (Minaet) Vice Minister Jorge Rodriguez, expressing a rekindled interest in submitting a new proposal to protect the interests of "the turtles and the owners of the properties alike".

"We must celebrate this victory with caution", warned Clara Padilla, of the Leatherback Trust, a Costa Rican NGO dedicated to restoring the populations and habitats of these animals. "We will study any new proposals carefully, keep the public informed, and study our legal options in case of further attempts to destroy Las Baulas National Park for the sake of development interests".

"What can we expect from a government that declares Peace With Nature, but then turns around and condones the deforestation of over 300 hectares of tropical forest for the sake of a gold strip mine"?, asked Juan Figuerola, of the Costa Rican organization Bosques Nuestros. "For this government, Las Baulas National Park is nothing more but a lure to attract their investor friends, disregarding the fate of the leatherback sea turtles and of the people".

Las Baulas National Park was declared by Decree in 1991 and by Law in 1995, to preserve critically endangered leatherback sea turtle nesting beaches from the destructive effects of poachers and urban development projects.


For more information:

PRETOMA
Tel (506) 2241 5227
Fax (506) 2236 6017
Email: info@pretoma.org
Website: www.pretoma.org

PRETOMA is a Costa Rican Civil Association of Public Interest (Decreto Ejecutivo 34150-J), and is an active member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature IUCN and the World Society for the Protection of Animals WSPA.

Panama Surfers Protest at 'Dumpers' in Bocas del Toro

One of the best surf breaks in the Caribbean is on a popular island off the coast of Panama called Bocas del Toro. And one of the most amazing facts about the island is that it has been allowed to create a massive When I visited Panama last spring, there was about a thirty foot space separating the garbage from the water's edge: apparently, according to the local newspaper, now garbage is filling in right to the edge of the beach. It is gross and disgusting. I tried writing a letter to Panamanian authorities and received no response. I can tell you what my response is going to be now: make sure that as many people as possible know about this tragedy of the commons.Here is what the local newspaper had to say:
"Surfers do not surf Dumpers anymore. They haven’t for almost six months. The few who dared left the water with skin, eye and ear infections and coughs lasting for weeks. The "black" garbage that has been oozing from the dump is now a small creek which flows into the ocean, right into Outer Dumpers. When it rains, the flow is much bigger, and the current slowly but surely takes everything south, affecting other surf spots down the coast. On Sept. 29, a large group of us surfers marched through town with our surfboards, banners and posters, asking that someone give us an explanation and an agreeable solution. We went unanswered. More than a month has passed since the few surfers who cared about their waves marched … and nothing is different. The only change is that now the trash is burning along the entire stretch at Dumpers, in an area three times larger than it was last month. Trees were cut down to accommodate the ever-growing hills of trash, and daily more garbage falls into the sea. The surf spot known as Dumpers is no more. Recently, surfers at another good surf spot farther down the coast began complaining of ear, eye and skin irritations. They shed their rash guards only to reveal ugly red rashes … caused by the water. Paunch."

Here are my photos from last spring.

Threat of Tuna Farms in Golfo Dulce, Costa Rica, IS BACK

(November 11, 2008 - San José, Costa Rica)

Last November 5, the Technical Secretariat of the Environment of Costa Rica (Setena) issued a resolution calling for the operation of Tuna Farms of Golfito to continue with its execution. The project, which consists of the installation of 10 cages that will fatten up to 120 tons of tuna per cycle, was suspended by order of the Constitutional Court on May 9 of 2007, due to the serious inconsistencies found regarding the threat of polluting the delicate ecosystem of the Golfo Dulce, and the impact on sea turtles. Setena had declared that the project was environmentally viable since August 19, 2005.

In order to elucidate the inconsistencies that the Constitutional Court pointed out, Setena requested the technical criteria of the Center for Marine and Limnological Research of the University of Costa Rica (Cimar). In the report, submitted last September 30, Cimar underlines that to predict the possible destiny of wastes and served waters with more certainty, a much more comprehensive study regarding ocean currents is needed than the one that was submitted in the Environmental Impact Study. Furthermore, it points out the need for a Plan of Action to deal with the sea turtles and whales that use these waters.

According to the Costa Rican NGO Pretoma, which filed the Constitutional Law Suit to stop the installation of Tuna Farms together with the Association of Neighbors of Punta Banco, Setena granted the environmental viability without having elucidated the inconsistency described by the Constitutional Court regarding the ecological impact that the Tuna Farms may have on the Golfo Dulce. To make matters worst, Setena doesn't even acknowledge that sea turtles nest in the area, in spite of the fact that for the last 11 years Pretoma has been doing sea turtle conservation projects in the community of Punta Banco, an olive ridley sea turtle nesting site located directly in front the area that the proposed Tuna Farms will occupy.

"The Constitutional Court had already expressed that Setena was in the obligation of ordering the performance of studies to previously guarantee, and with an acceptable degree of certainty, that the metabolic wastes produced would not affect the environment nor the delicate ecosystem of the Golfo Dulce", informed Randall Arauz, President of Pretoma, "The requested studies still haven't been performed, nor have the contaminant issue been elucidated, because of which the recommendation to continue with the execution of the Tuna Farms is contrary to the order of the Constitutional Court", explained Arauz.

According to Miguel Gómez, Pretoma's Campaigns Coordinator, sea turtles are under serious threat, as the structures with the cages would attract the sea turtles that visit the beaches of Punta Banco, Estrechura, and Río Coco to nest, and would interrupt the hatchlings on their way to the open sea. "We still don't see a serious plan to mitigate the impact of the Tuna Farms on sea turtles, but if Setena won't even acknowledge that sea turtles nest on these beaches, what can we expect?," said a disappointed Gómez.

On November 11 of 2008, Pretoma filed suit to revoke Setena's resolution, as well as an appeal to the Ministry of Environment.


For more information:

PRETOMA
Tel (506) 2241 5227
Fax (506) 2236 6017
Email: info@pretoma.org
Website: www.pretoma.org

PRETOMA is a Costa Rican Civil Association of Public Interest (Decreto Ejecutivo 34150-J), and is an active member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature IUCN and the World Society for the Protection of Animals WSPA.

Costa Rica and China Begin Joint Venture On Refinery

11/19 from - www.insidecostarica.com

China's National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) has signed an agreement with Costa Rica's Refinadora Costarricense de Petroleo (Recope) on a joint venture to upgrade a Costa Rica's oil refinery.

The details of the deal were made public on Tuesday after it was signed on Monday in San Jose, during Chinese President Hu Jintao's state visit.

According to the 25-year deal, the joint venture would help modernize and expand the Moin refinery, increasing its annual oil refining capability to 3 million tonnes from the current 1.2 million tonnes.

Improvements would also raise product quality and reduce pollution. It gave no further details on investments and timeline.

The two sides also agreed to launch feasibility studies on a new refinery with a proposed annual crude processing capability of 10 million tonnes.

Firman acuerdos ambientales y sociales en Osa - La lucha del pueblo da resultados

From: .:: Diario Digital Nuestro Pais ::.

Redacción, (elpais.cr) - Ambientalistas, representantes de la comunidad, organizaciones no gubernamentales, sector privado y del Gobierno se comprometieron a buscar soluciones para los problemas de desarrollo sostenible en el cantón de Osa, Pacifico sur de Costa Rica.Los acuerdos fueron firmados el fin de semana, en el marco del "Encuentro Pro Desarrollo Sostenible de Osa" organizado por la Iniciativa Paz con la Naturaleza y el Tribunal Ambiental. Tras un inicio tenso que incluyó un bloqueo en la Costanera Sur, y producto del diálogo propiciado dentro del "Encuentro Pro Desarrollo Sostenible de Osa y la Zona Sur", los pobladores de Osa fueron testigos de la firma de un acuerdo entre la Municipalidad, el Ministerio de Ambiente, Energía y Telecomunicaciones (MINAET), y la Iniciativa Paz con la Naturaleza que buscará proponer soluciones para los problemas de desarrollo sostenible de Osa.La problemática ambiental y social de Osa se han discutido ampliamente en los últimos meses a raíz de las barridas ambientales, realizadas por el Tribunal Ambiental y otras dependencias del MINAET, que pusieron en alerta a la población respecto a la necesidad de proteger los recursos naturales únicos con que cuenta esta región al tiempo que se genera empleo y prosperidad para los oseños, dijo un comunicado de la Iniciativa Paz con la Naturaleza (IPN).Cerca de 500 personas acudieron al Salón Comunal de Bahía, en Uvita, para participar en este encuentro convocado por el el Tribunal Ambiental y la Iniciativa Paz con la Naturaleza.Aparte de ser testigos de los compromisos acordados por la Municipalidad de Osa y el MINAET, las personas hicieron propuestas y comentarios sobre los problemas ambientales y sociales que les afectan.ComisiónComo parte del acuerdo, se conformó una Comisión Interinstitucional que se encargará de identificar los principales problemas ambientales de Osa, hacer un diagnóstico de los proyectos inmobiliarios de la zona y proponer soluciones a corto plazo."Estamos hablando el mismo idioma, todos queremos el desarrollo sostenible con sensibilidad humana, pero respetando siempre la ley" expresó el Viceministro del Ambiente, Jorge Rodríguez al inaugurar el encuentro. Le acompañaron en la mesa principal el Alcalde de Osa, representantes de los pescadores y desarrolladores, diputados de la zona y el Defensor Adjunto de los Habitantes, quien se encargará de fiscalizar el acuerdo firmado.Otro de los acuerdos obtenidos durante el Encuentro Pro Desarrollo Sostenible de Osa, fue el firmado por el MINAET, el Tribunal Ambiental y la Cámara de Desarrolladores Inmobiliarios de Osa con el fin de poner a derecho a los proyectos que están siendo procesados en el Tribunal.En el sector, decenas de proyectos inmobiliarios han afectado el ambiente, ya que se han irrespetado áreas de recarga acuífera, zonas de protección y no cuentan con los permisos de ley, como de construcción y estudios de impacto ambiental, entre otros.El principal resultado dentro de este acuerdo es dotar al Tribunal Ambiental de cinco funcionarios que se encargarán de hacer las inspecciones en estos y otros proyectos de Osa, con el fin de agilizar la resolución de los casos que corresponda sin comprometer la legalidad que el Tribunal está obligado a hacer cumplir."Somos una nueva cámara de desarrolladores que apuesta por el desarrollo sostenible; tenemos claro que hay que ajustarse a la ley pues estamos en un Estado de derecho", indicó Víctor Solís, presidente de la Cámara de Desarrolladores de Osa recién conformada."El acuerdo implica que el Tribunal Ambiental contará con más personal para conocer y analizar los casos de Osa, pero eso no significa comprometer los términos de legalidad inamovibles de este Tribunal, cuya obligación es tutelar el cumplimiento de la legislación ambiental no solo en Osa sino en todo el territorio nacional", advirtió José Lino Chaves, presidente del Tribunal Ambiental Administrativo (TAA).Pescadores El MINAET también firmó otro acuerdo paralelo con las asociaciones de pescadores y piangüeros de Dominicalito y de Puerto Cortés, a los cuales el Sistema Nacional de Áreas de conservación (SINAC), les renovará el permiso de extracción por un año, lo cual facilitará que el Instituto Costarricense de Pesca (INCOPESCA), les extienda las licencias de pesca que están vencidas.Igualmente, se agilizará el establecimiento de un Centro de Acopio para pescado y mariscos en una zona de la costa apta para ello."En este encuentro hemos salido ganando todos pues se han establecido acuerdos que lo que buscan es disminuir los problemas ambientales y sociales de Osa, y ese era el objetivo de la Iniciativa Paz con la Naturaleza, del MINAET y del Tribunal Ambiental cuando propusimos el Encuentro", indicó el Juez Jorge Bonilla, Vicepresidente del Tribunal Ambiental.