Stand Up Paddle Tamarindo.

It's only a matter of time before the world acknowledges Tamarindo as somewhere with incredible expanding possibilities. Surf schools and tour engineered surf trips are plenty. With so much water space, Sup' ing has arrived to add to the old proverb, If you have to wait, then it's too late. Need proof? The best surfers in the world have absorbed the change in equipment and became new front runners of an ever evolving sport. Number two: more people can do this without having to be surfers them selves. What a great thing, just bring a smile and enjoy yourself while becoming fit. The learning curve is so much faster and the business side of it is wide open. While surf schools compete agains each other the open minded entrepreneur has a chance to swim a little more free. No matter what, surfing will always be changing. The simple nature of surfing itself is always asking from us to adapt to our board, to the water. In my personal experience, it has revitalize my short board career, simple as that. In one way I feel fitter. On the other side of the coin it has made me more understanding of the mechanics of both the surfing it self and the intricacy of different line ups. In result I can honestly say I am so much happier now. Avellanas has great outer reef potential. So does Grande, Negra and who knows where else. So often we find each other sharing info on new breaks etc, just like when we started surfing. Stoked to say the least. Anyway, I felt like writing about Sup for a while now. It's just so much fun I just need to share that with you.

May the 3rd, Avellanas, Costa Rica.

Conditions cooperated to allow the nine competitors to determine a winner of an event first in it's class. Three to four feet peaks pearled the line up of "The Persian Gulf", the mystic surf break that served as a battle field for SUP contestants that raise money for emblematic Costa Rican surfer in Boca Barranca Secondino Arias. One hundred and twenty minutes were necessary to determine the winner, who at the end turned out to be the most generous both with the work load and refusing the first place trophy(a brand new paddle). "Sell it and put it to the cause". Charley Kuhn wins first place, in second place came owner of Cabinas Las Olas in Avellanas Roger Yegli and in third place yours truly, Marco Pacheco. "Every one was notable in the water showing poise and competitiveness" but there was a true sense of stoke about the place. We want to thank our sponsors as follows: Marlin del Rey in Tamarindo (catamaran tours), Nogui's Bar and restaurant also in Tamarindo. Danny Rider and his SUP shop in the circle in Tamarido. Another Sup operation in Playa Negra, Javier Quiros. Avellanas Juice Bar and Surf Camp, Ian Bean from Frijoles Locos in Playa Grande, Phillip La Barre, the French Connection, Forest Folger, Jeff "Puppy" Yost of SurfboardsCostaRica in Jaco and Cabinas Las Olas. Talks of future events are in the making. Places and sponsors will be key. What we wanted to prove was that you can ride waves in interesting places. Atte surfwithmarco@yahoo.com

Battle at the Gulf

It’s easier to be a better surfer than to be a better person Charley said to me once. I was like ‘what?”, but I think I got it. Charley is my shaping mentor and good friend. We have tons of friends in common and one of them is Charley Kuhn, both of them are from the East Coast of the United States and both are surf legends in their own right and fierce competitors. But this story is not about them, it’s about the first tico surfer, a Boca Barranca local I met in my first trip I ever took as a surfer. Secondino Arias has always lived by the river so barricading his home against the river in the rainy season is nothing new to him but he’ll pushing sixty pretty soon. This past september I stopped to surf the place that saw me become a surfer and something wasn’t right, “Condo” was stressing. It had been a particular rainy winter and it gave the man a run for his money, logs, rocks and tires were piled up surrounding the perimeter of his house. “This ain’t right I thought”

‘. We must do something so after a few failed attempts to rise awareness among local surfers I run into a photo of Mister Kuhn enjoying himself on a stand up paddle board and everything clicked. I contacted him and dropped the idea of a SUP contest to rise money to help our friend. His answer came quick and didn’t need much explanation,

‘ “Yes” he said. Not long after C. W. (Charles Williams) confirmed ”I wouldn’t miss it for the world” So “ Bum!” the contest to help a fellow surfer is on and this are the rules.

Location, Playa Avellanas . Surf break in question, “The Persian Gulf”, an outer reef just to the south side of Avellanas. Entry fee 100 dollars..Money will go to build a retaining wall to help make life a little easier to Secondino. My goal is to make a fun event where guys can show their skills at a break cut for SUP. We are going to make T- shirt’s with the name of the invitees and the alternates that want to join in. Local or foreign. This shirts will be sold at Lola’s the day of the event to rise funds. The event will be held Tuesday the 3rd, month of May, 2011. In case of too many alternates a trial contest will be held on Sunday the first. This gives me time to print all the names on monday. Tuesday’s main event will be decided that same morning. Two to three heats max. If any one wants to print their logos as a sponsor and appear on the T’s they can a dollar a shirt. Contact me at surfwithmarco@yahoo.com or call me 8894 7515. We’ll be accepting donations even if don’t want to partecipate in the competition.