Well if it is at all possible time has sped up even more for us out here in Costa Rica and we cant believe that we are in the final week of our trip. Since my last blog we have packed in a lot in a short space of time. Last week we spend an exciting week down in Jaco for the ISA world Surfing Games. The group spent almost everyday down at Hermosa beach where they got to watch some of their surfing idols surf and even get their photos taken with them. It was a week of many weather conditions as the sun blazed, the tropical rain pelted down and the thunder roared but the competition carried on and with huge success.
The group had the pleasure of meeting the British surfing team where they offered their support during each of their heats by holding and waving the British flag and shouting words of encouragement which caused them to have quite a presence at the competition when they were shown on the TV highlights and various tanoy announcements commented on the strong team of British supporters! On the day of the finals we were all over the moon as Ben Skinner took home a bronze medal for team GB!
Around the competition the group also enjoyed their own surfing in the mellow waves of Jaco beach. Jaco's black sandy beaches supports mellower, more gentle waves than what the group have been accustom to in Santa Teresa so their new found surfing skills clearly shone through as i watch everyone get to their feet and charge some of the bigger sets that came through. Mannis new found water confidence was apparent as she paddled for the biggest set wave that came through all session and made the drop, after a good tumble it was back to her board and ready for the next one what a trooper! The group managed to surf through the sunset and were forced to get out as it got dark. We also had an early morning session at Hermosa beach one morning where the waves came through with strength and size. The group all managed to hold their own and i was impressed to see everyone picking their waves and riding them into the beach.
There was also celebrations during the week as Phil turned the grand old age of……erm 21?! We celebrated with drinks and a group meal right on Jacos beach front. The night carried on into Hermosa as i joined the group on a night out at The Back Yard, a well known haunt in Hermosa where the group mingled with the ISA competitors and danced the night away. The week ended as George took Dave, Hamish, Brendan, Harry, Claire , Noelita and Claire back up to Santa Teresa on Friday as they were looking forward to getting back to the slower paced lifestyle. I stayed down in Jaco with Peace, Hannah, Manni, Rachel and Ed as they wanted to hang on and watch the ISA finals and enjoy the evening celebrations that there was on offer. The weekend drew in crowns in the thousands and after an exciting day of finals and celebrations we were all looking forward to heading back to Santa Teresa where the hammocks and quite white sandy beaches were calling.
Since being back in Jaco the group have been thrown straight back into to surf lessons, yoga sessions and today we went on a fishing trip of off Mal Pais. During the 3 hour trip the group saw dolphins, whales and even Costa Rica's endangered turtles which were in the process of mating…im sure thy didn't notice the 3 fishing boats circling around them at the time. It was a successful trip which ended with a great result as each boat came back to shore with at least 2 yellow fin tuna each. So tonight Raffa cooked us a feast of yellow fin tuna casado, a fantastic finish to the end of a busy day of surfing and fishing.
The group are all tucked up in bed now as they have an early start tomorrow with a 7.30am yoga session, followed by a day of surfing. The weeks forecast has good waves all week and sunny sky's. I'm hoping time will slow down just a little so the trip isn't over to soon, however with the rest of the weeks schedule of surfing, Spanish lessons, yoga and school visits i have a feeling it will go very fast…but in the mean time we will continue to enjoy every minute.
Pura Vida
Nikki