Costa Rica Surfing Programme

Looking to take off on your travels and live the beach lifestyle? Want to learn to surf somewhere more exotic than Newquay? Then read on and join this programme to experience some of the best breaks and warmest waters in Central America!!

With 20 hours of surf lessons and unlimited surfboard usage, you will become a surf “dude”, as you learn to master the fundamentals of this laidback and exciting water sport!

The programme is suitable for surfers of all ability, whether novice or advanced, and to anyone interested in combining sports travel with rewarding cultural experiences.

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

Programme Requirement
Participants must be able to swim in the sea and to tread water for a minimum of 10 minutes.

Surfing Programme
Our programme covers everything you need to know about surfing, from the basics of standing to how to read the ocean. As you advance your skills and your balance improves, you will be taught how to turn and ride bigger waves! If you already have some surf experience or are already an accomplished surfer, you will be able to take on better waves at more exclusive surf spots, with our instructors there to push you to your surfing limits.

Programme Outline
For new surfers, the programme is broken up into 2 sections – a 5-day beginner’s course and 5 days of further surf lessons, to fine-tune your newly acquired skills. If you have previous surf experience, then you may be asked to join the start of the course as a refresher and then you will join a more advanced group. As you advance, you will travel to other beaches with breaks suitable to a higher standard.

The timing of lessons each day can vary according to the local conditions. The surf school will always aim to take you out during peak surfing conditions, so that you can get the real surfing experience. This may mean early starts, so this programme may not be suitable for those wanting a long lie-in each day!

Please Note: Surf lessons last for up to 2 hours. Weather conditions can affect the lesson length. The average group size is 4 people per instructor. If group sizes are smaller, lessons will be more intense.

Surfboard Use
During your programme, you will have unlimited access to the surf school’s boards. This will allow you to practise and perfect your skills and to make the most of the swells and waves in the area. Due to the warm waters, consistently between 70 and 80 degrees all year round, you will not need a wetsuit!

Instructors
All of the instructors at our surf school are fully trained lifeguards, with important knowledge regarding local safety, first aid and changeable weather patterns. All lessons are conducted with your safety in mind, but with an approach that encourages you to get the most from your Costa Rican surf experience.

• The instructors know the local beaches and waves extremely well and have all the secrets to the local surf hotspots.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.

Programme Support
During your programme, you will have the support and guidance of our local coordinators. 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 middle-class, please be aware that living conditions can be lower than the UK and Costa Rica is a developing country.

All meals each day are included (breakfast, lunch and dinner) 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 surfing programme in Playa Tamarindo, you will stay in hotel accommodation, about 5 minutes from the surf school. Your room will be private, with air conditioning and an adjoining shower room/bathroom. You have access to a number of other facilities at the accommodation, including the Internet cafe, swimming pool, supermarket and restaurant.

Breakfast is included, but lunch and an evening meal are not included during this part of the programme. Food can be purchased at the accommodation restaurant or bought in the supermarket/restaurants nearby. You should budget about £10 a day for basic meals.

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