Costa Rica Kite Surfing Programme

Ever wanted to learn to kitesurf? Want to challenge yourself with a true adrenaline sport during your travels? Then join the Costa Rica Kitesurfing Programme for the experience of a lifetime…and more! On this programme you will combine learning or improving your Spanish with a beginner’s kitesurfing course, equipping you with the basics in both to travel and enjoy Latin America in style. Whether you wish to use this programme as a platform to take up kitesurfing or as a starting point to learning Spanish and travelling this fascinating part of the globe, it is a great opportunity to learn and experience both.

This programme is perfectly suited to water sports enthusiasts, adrenaline junkies and those seeking a challenge during their gap year or career break!

Programme Age Limit
Minimum age 18, maximum decided on potential participant’s health.

Kitesurfing
Kitesurfing, sometimes referred to as kite boarding, is a fast growing adventure sport for those seeking a rush like no other! It combines surfing, wakeboarding, snowboarding and kite flying into a single discipline sport, which can see you performing tricks 30 feet in the air and cruising along deserted coastlines and beaches!

Playa Papaturro is the ideal location to take up kitesurfing. Based in the Guanacaste Province, it is in the sunniest and driest part of Costa Rica, providing good conditions for 9 months of the year. The beach itself is not on the tourist trail, which means that there is plenty of space for a number of people to learn, without the extra caution needed when surrounded by other beach users. In addition to this, with half a mile of reef along the beach and good winds, the water conditions are perfectly suited to beginner and intermediate kite surfers.

Kitesurfing Programme
Designed mainly for novice kite surfers, the programme starts with a 3-day beginner course, where you are taught the required skills to kitesurf independently and skilfully, with safety for yourself and others as your priority. You will learn how to set-up, control and steer the kite, adhering to the strict standards set by the Kite surfing school. After this, you will have a further 7 one-hour lessons, to fine-tune and advance your overall kitesurfing skills.

Please Note: Kitesurfing is an adventure sport and with it carries an element of risk. It is vital that all students attend the course in full and pay close attention to their instructors before attempting independent kitesurfing.

Kite School Certification
At the end of the 3-day beginner course, you will be rewarded with the Kite School’s Kite boarding card. This is not a recognised qualification, however, it testifies the level you have reached and will permit you to hire kites and kitesurf independently worldwide.

Please Note: Kite surfing is a weather dependent sport and therefore requires safe/suitable conditions for the course to be completed. Without the correct conditions, lessons will not take place and you will not be permitted to take the equipment out.

Spanish Language and Culture Programme
Our language school in San Jose provides a unique Spanish language experience, as emphasis is made on participants understanding the culture, as well as learning the language. Fun cultural activities will be included in your programme such as free cooking lessons, Latin dance lessons and Latin American song classes.

As one of the few schools in Costa Rica to be entirely owned and staffed by Costa Ricans you will have a genuine cultural experience. The aim at the school is to make the lessons interesting and fun, as this is the best way to learn a language quickly and easily. The teaching approaches are dynamic and varied and the classes are intensive, yet challenging and enjoyable.

The course is designed to enable students to actively participate in classes. As quickly as possible, students will learn how to communicate, comprehend and use accurate pronunciation in Spanish. The small classes and active participation training provides the flexibility to meet your individual needs and offer you a comprehensive course.

The classes consider Spanish as a whole and as well as there being an emphasis on speaking abilities, they also take into account grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, pragmatic use and cultural understanding.

Language classes will generally consist of 3 to 4 students but you will never be with a group of more than 6. With smaller, more intimate classes it allows the school to tailor the programme to your specific needs. In order for you to be placed in the correct class according to your Spanish proficiency level you will have a written test, which is sent to you by email, and an oral evaluation exam during your first day of class.

Throughout the course you will have your progress assessed by your teacher and the Academic Director. Each day, your instructor will hand in a progress report for you and this information will help the Academic Director determine the steps for reaching your language goals.

An example of your daily schedule

After your Spanish classes you will have the chance to participate in afternoon cultural activities:

Programme Support
During your programme, you will have the support and guidance of our local coordinator. They will provide you with competent field support and assistance, and help you with any questions or support you may need during your stay.

In addition, we will provide you with a 24 hour emergency contact number before you depart, so that you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.

Local Orientation
Once you have been met and picked up from the airport, you will be taken to your accommodation to settle in. On your first full day, your coordinators will guide you through the language school and help to answer any questions you may have in your orientation. Your orientation will cover:

Accommodation and Meals
During your stay in San Jose, you will be accommodated with a local host family. At the home-stay, you will have a private room, with access to the shared bathroom and kitchen etc. Although the houses are relatively comfortable and the families are from the local working-class, please be aware that living conditions can be of a lower standard than in the UK and Costa Rica is a developing country.

Breakfast and dinner are included and are provided by the host family. They will be made in the local style, with local ingredients. If you have any special dietary needs, these can be catered for.

During your kitesurfing course in Guanacaste Province, you will stay in beachside accommodation. You will have your own room. Each room has a fan and an adjoining shower room/bathroom. You have access to a number of other facilities at the accommodation, including the Internet, Jacuzzi and Sky TV.

Meals are not included during this part of the programme. Food can be purchased at the accommodation restaurant or bought in the local village/restaurants nearby.

You will need to budget approximately US$25/day (approx. £14) for food and drink.

For further information or to secure your place on this programme, please call the Latin America Team today on 01892 516164, or email us at latinamerica@realgap.co.uk