First – what a gorgeous country Costa Rica turned out to be.
Not that I didn’t think it wouldn’t be gorgeous – but being there in person – it takes your breath away. I’m constantly amazed on how God creates so many beautiful landscapes.
My time in Costa Rica with my two girlfriends was absolutely amazing and we all had a blast. But how could we not have a blast when we were in such an amazing country?
Costa Rica is pretty well known for its beaches and being a well-known destination for surfers. And what better way to enjoy our time down there then to learn how to surf?
One - I love the ocean and water. I LOVE it. But of course I’ve always been a bit intimated by it. How can you not when you know how dangerous it can be? These are not lapping waves that come up to the shore gently, but waves that can easily knock you back and churn you around in the surf.
Two – While I’m not an incredibly strong swimmer, my swimming has given me the ability to last long in the water and be a bit more confident.
But regardless of these two factors – I WAS TERRIFIED!
ME! Who is generally pretty fearless on most occasions – WAS TERRIFIED!
We had some young guys teaching us how to surf on foam boards. And after a quick 15 minute lesson on the sand – they led us into the water.
The lesson by the way was showing us how to pop-up onto the board into a standing position. And also basically telling us not to put the board in front of us while heading into the water, lest a wave hit the board which then can smack into our face, thus breaking our nose. Though that would make a funny story (I broke my nose surfing) – I’d rather that not happen!
So – after the quick lesson – we headed into the water with our boards in tow – into the strong (somewhat) waves and headed to our deaths.
Okay, apparently I’m not dead, and neither are Jess or Linda – but the 3 hour lesson was pretty brutal.
I will say that after the lesson, I’m not too scared of the ocean or swimming in it and I don’t have too big of a fear of drowning. Because after all the wipe outs I had in attempting to surf – and churning into the water and not knowing which way was up or down – but still surviving – I became much more confident.
All three of us… Linda, Jess and I – can say that we stood up and surfed! WE SURFED!!! How awesome and amazing is that? Not that we will be going to Hawaii (though I’d love to go there) and surfing their giant kahuna waves or anything.
3 hours of surfing, with a ton of paddling and pushing yourself up is very very tiring. You’re out in the bright sun, paddling and fighting the waves, listening to the instructors as they watch for waves for you to catch and they yell “Up” so you can push yourself up to ride the wave.
Sometimes I was up for one or two seconds before I tumbled into the water. Other times I was up for 10-15 seconds as I rode the wave to shore.
Either way, it was an incredible experience and one I’d love to do again. I think I’ve found another extreme sport to enjoy. 
I wish I was able to get pictures of us actually surfing, but that wasn’t possible. But here are a few of the surfboards and us holding our boards. So funny how Jess’s board is sooo much taller than Linda and I’s board… but it might be from perspective.
Wonder when I’ll be able to go surfing again…
Gorgeous Costa Rica Beaches
Surf shirts...
Linda with the surfing school Shirt
Ready to surf?
Surf boards lined up in a row...
Jess, Me and Linda
