Hi, all: I’m a writer for Outside magazine and in February, I’m packing up my Infinity waveski (yeah, yeah) and my Dale Solomonson mat (yeah! yeah!) and heading off to CR to do a story about the wave at Boca Barranca. Can anyone suggest a good place for me to stay there? And perhaps a BR local with some long knowledge and understanding of both the wave and the place? I’m also looking for anyone here who might have traveled there and have stories to tell. Specifically, I’m looking for tales about dead cows and live crocs in the lineup or anything like that; or any tales that involve run-ins with the local police and/or thieves. You know: dramatic stuff. I’m also in the market for someone who can explain the wave to me in as deeply technical terms as possible. In other words, I know it’s a river-mouth break; but I’d like to explore what that means more profoundly and specifically, if that’s possible. If you aren’t any of the above, maybe you know someone who is. Feel free to pass my particulars along to them, or to shuttle me info on how to get in touch with them. Any help anyone cares to offer will be muchly appreciated and may (or may not, depending if you want it or not) lead to a quote in the magazine. If you want, call me or drop me an email either with your story or, better still, your phone number, and I’ll call you. Thanks! Erik Hedegaard Outside magazine 914-738-9422
I have been down there 4 times since 1988. Great wave, and it has been cleaned up quite a bit. You aren’t going to see in cow heads floating through the line up. On our '88 trip we heard all kinds of stuff like that, the water was very dirty but no parts. On subsequent trips it was less of an issue. From what I heard the government cracked down on that meat packing plant up river. In my opinon the best place to stay is in Jaco or Hermosa area. The lodging is better and you have several good spots near by, - hermosa (the big tree spot), further south of hermosa (past the pig farm) - a river mouth break tulene (not 100% on the spelling), Roca Loca, and on. All worth a look. Tulene is a fun break and is usually a couple of feet bigger than hermosa, and every time we were there we saw crocks. Boca Barranca is short a short drive from Jaco area about 20 mins. The most important advice I could give you is to either to pay the old man (if he is still alive) to watch your vehicle, or your best bet, don’t go there with more than you need. Every time we surfed we would leave the windows down, and would just bring our baggys, boards, some wax and that is it. I am sure you have been around and its not as bad as it sounds, but if you have a bunch of expensive equipment, leave someone one the beach to watch it, that’s all. The point starts at the south and breaks north for at least 300 yards when the right swell hits. There is a cliff on the south, and the north side of the cliff is the rivermouth. As you head north the coast turns in toward the east. I have caught it from 2 foot (won’t line up-sectiony) to about 3 foot overhead. Very fun wave, when its good the vibe is bit more intense, as with any point break. Just be mellow and you won’t have any problems. I do have a friend you might want to talk to. He is older than I (in his late 40s), Dan. A few years back I went down there with him, his son (15), and another friend of ours. Dan’s father was the US ambassador to Costa Rica in the sixties. Dan lived there and surfed that spot with one other guy for years. He has all kinds of stories and pictures of that place. (i.e. -their camping trips on top of the cliff overlooking the point). He told me that they would be overjoyed to see any other surfers who passed through. When we went down he had not been back there in 25+ years and he brought his photo album to show his son his stomping grounds and to try a relate a bit as to where he came from. Needless to say he was not prepared for the changes in the area, from the inconsistent swell to hit boca, while we were there, to the influx of gringos buying property and businesses, to the spread of businesses like, best western, pizza hut, one hour photo mats, etc. I enjoy history, and always listened to his accounts, although on this trip not only did I hear about epic waves with no one around, I think I also heard his heart break. Good luck on you trip. Let me know if want to get in touch with Dan. http://content.surfline.com/sw/content/travel/surfmaps/central_america/costa_rica/index.jsp
If you’re looking for a stylin’ crib, I’ve got a two BR, two Bath condo at Los Suenos you can rent. Its right on the golf course and a 5 minute walk to the harbor…While watching the sunset from the Marriott, running your hands over Hollywoods best, sipping Cuba Libres and puffing on a Cohiba, you can muse over the White Man’s Burden in a tropical paradise… Newbs
I have been down there 4 times since 1988. Great wave, and it has been > cleaned up quite a bit. You aren’t going to see in cow heads floating > through the line up. On our '88 trip we heard all kinds of stuff like > that, the water was very dirty but no parts. On subsequent trips it was > less of an issue. From what I heard the government cracked down on that > meat packing plant up river.>>> In my opinon the best place to stay is in Jaco or Hermosa area. The > lodging is better and you have several good spots near by, - hermosa (the > big tree spot), further south of hermosa (past the pig farm) - a river > mouth break tulene (not 100% on the spelling), Roca Loca, and on. All > worth a look. Tulene is a fun break and is usually a couple of feet bigger > than hermosa, and every time we were there we saw crocks.>>> Boca Barranca is short a short drive from Jaco area about 20 mins. The > most important advice I could give you is to either to pay the old man (if > he is still alive) to watch your vehicle, or your best bet, don’t go there > with more than you need. Every time we surfed we would leave the windows > down, and would just bring our baggys, boards, some wax and that is it. I > am sure you have been around and its not as bad as it sounds, but if you > have a bunch of expensive equipment, leave someone one the beach to watch > it, that’s all.>>> The point starts at the south and breaks north for at least 300 yards when > the right swell hits. There is a cliff on the south, and the north side of > the cliff is the rivermouth. As you head north the coast turns in toward > the east. I have caught it from 2 foot (won’t line up-sectiony) to about 3 > foot overhead. Very fun wave, when its good the vibe is bit more intense, > as with any point break. Just be mellow and you won’t have any problems.>>> I do have a friend you might want to talk to. He is older than I (in his > late 40s), Dan. A few years back I went down there with him, his son (15), > and another friend of ours. Dan’s father was the US ambassador to Costa > Rica in the sixties. Dan lived there and surfed that spot with one other > guy for years. He has all kinds of stories and pictures of that place. > (i.e. -their camping trips on top of the cliff overlooking the point). He > told me that they would be overjoyed to see any other surfers who passed > through. When we went down he had not been back there in 25+ years and he > brought his photo album to show his son his stomping grounds and to try a > relate a bit as to where he came from. Needless to say he was not prepared > for the changes in the area, from the inconsistent swell to hit boca, > while we were there, to the influx of gringos buying property and > businesses, to the spread of businesses like, best western, pizza hut, one > hour photo mats, etc. I enjoy history, and always listened to his > accounts, although on this trip not only did I hear about epic waves with > no one around, I think I also heard his heart break.>>> Good luck on you trip. Let me know if want to get in touch with Dan. Hey Mike, does Dan surf New Smyrna? I haven’t seen him in awhile but I think I know who your talking about.