Costa Rica Slang: learn to talk like the locals

One of the leading destinations for those who want a place that is fun and invigorating to travel to is Costa Rica. There are so many activities that you will be able to experience once you get here.

To be able to fit in with the locals, you will want to learn some of the Costa Rica slang that is used there.

The official language that is used in Costa Rica is Spanish, but the slang in Costa Rica is different from that of other Spanish speaking countries. If you want to make your Costa Rica surf camp in this beautiful town a little more fun, then you will want to learn at least some of the most common slang on the streets of Costa Rica.

One word that is used mostly on the streets of Costa Rica is al chile. This slang word is Spanish language expression that means “for real or something that is true.” In Costa Rica, this term is commonly used in social places to ask or confirm.

This is how the word would be used in a conversation between two boys.

Boy 1: Hey friend, let’s try this new game called Crumps

Boy 2: Al chile?

Boy 1: Al chile

In this conversation, the slang has first been used to mean “really,” where it is applied in a way that is questioning. In the last sentence, it is then used in an affirming way.

This slang word can also be used by locals in Costa Rica to mean the expression for “heck yeah,” just as illustrated here.

Boy 1: man, that event was cool

Boy 2: Al chile

Learning and speaking the slang of Costa Rica will make you develop friendly and positive relationship with the locals.

Real Surf Trips in Costa Rica provides its guests with first class accommodations, one-of-a-kind service and over 20 years of local surf knowledge, guaranteed to give you the Costa Rica Surf Camp you’ve been dreaming of!

How to prepare for the upcoming Costa Rica surf season

Preparation for surfing during the Costa Rica surf season

At Real Surf Trips, we think surfing is one of the most fun sports that one can engage in, it’s a whole body-mind activity. To get the most out of every surfing experience, you need to prepare effectively, and this has to do with not only the preparation of your body but your mind as well.

Some of the most important aspects of surfing include swimming skills, constant muscle release and contraction, and a sense of balance, among other things. If you are planning on coming to one of our Costa Rica surf camps, here are some training tips to get you ready for the trip.

Warm-up sessions
It is important to allocate time for warm up sessions as you prepare for your surf camp and the training, in this case, will entail movements and mobility drills that are similar to movements in real surfing experiences. Such training will be beneficial to your body in many ways as outlined below…

Respiratory system stimulation.
Faster contraction of muscles for fast reactive movements.
Muscle stiffness is reduced.
It improves stabilizing muscles and activates the nervous system as well.
Improvement of the flexibility of the body and joints as well as an increase in mobility.
Improvement of oxygen delivery to muscles and enhanced blood circulation in addition to an increase in the heart rate.

Contrary to the thought that you may have to do some rigorous training, which can easily cause you to drawback, here is a compilation of the movements you can apply in your warm-up session… pretty easy and simple too.

Standing knee hugs – while standing with your spine tall and erect, pull one knee to your chest with your hands around it. Pull your knee as high as possible without bending your back.
Warrior Lunge – while standing, lunge forward and extend arms upwards to push up off the front foot and after that assume the starting position once again. You can repeat this and alternate between bending on the side or in both directions.
Breathing Squat – as you come down to a squatting position, exhale, and inhale as your body comes up. In both cases, extend the arms towards the sky.
Butt drops – with your hands stretched upwards, bend forward to touch your toes and then drop your butt to your heels, lifting the chest to face forward. The elbows should be inside the knees as they push the knees outwards. Inhale/exhale in this position and then lift your butt upwards.
Bent shoulder circles – with your back straight and a slightly bent knee, bend the torso forward. Once you get to an angle where you feel a light stretch in your hamstring, bring the arms out to the sides into a T-position. You can then perform small arm circles in each direction for about 30 repetitions.
T-Rotation pushups – from a pushup position, rotate one arm upwards while rotating the body onto one side at the same time. That means that you will be balanced on the one hand with the other hand extending upwards. Repeat the same for the other side.

Surf training workouts
Since the workouts are not done in the water and your body isn’t doing exactly what it would do while you are surfing, the purpose of prior preparation is to strengthen the movements and physical surfing demands. That will help improve your speed, endurance and help keep you free from injuries. A training you can try includes:

Balance drills – the workout, in this case, revolves around lunges, ice skater squats, single leg box squats, exercises on top of a balance board or into the board, single leg cable push or pulls, Bulgarian split squats and single leg balance with upper body medicine ball tosses.
Full body movements – surfing is a dynamic sport that requires your body to move within a three-dimensional space. Hence, the training you need should provide efficiency and strength in motion. That includes cable shops, plyometric hops, pull-ups/chin-ups, deadlifts, kettlebell swings, sprints, overhead presses and single arm overhead presses, back squats and front squats, single leg dead lifts, medicine ball chops, lunges and multi-directional lunges and pushup variations.
Balance and single leg surf training – the art of balancing is paramount when surfing, and that is why you should take advantage of quality training so as to enhance your reaction times and stabilize your joints as well. On the other hand, single leg movement helps prevent lower body injuries in addition to improving on your balancing.

Core training for surfing
The strengthening of your core is important because it aids in power and speed while surfing as well as ensuring that you remain pain-free. Your core is made up of muscles that are distributed throughout the trunk, which are responsible for transmission of power and movement throughout the whole body. Training of the core should be in integration, and some of the tools you can use in this case include the paloff press, supine lateral ball rolls, stability ball rollouts, cable chops, stability ball jack-knife, horse stance or bird dogs, and medicine ball chops.
Shoulder and upper back
When surfing, you will need to paddle at some point, and that can be an exhausting experience in and of itself. As such, you need to work on your shoulders, upper back, and core in order to gain the strength required for easy paddling. Such training will ensure that your upper body is strong, durable and free from pain and it will be wise to consider working on the shoulder girdle and rotator cuff that is prone to injuries often. Some of the exercises that will help you with this include body blade exercises; cable face pulls, shoulder scarecrows, dumbbell bent rows, rotator cuff external rotations, straight arm cable pull downs, shoulder A,T,Y’s and suspension training tricep pushes.
Endurance
In any surfing session, you will need a combination of both explosive energy and low energy output and train your body to respond effectively in both cases is necessary. In situations of heavy breaks and point break currents, you need full body endurance, while in cases of casual padding you will need less energy output. The idea behind such training is to ensure that your body gets to the point where it can withstand longer periods of energy release. Some of the endurance exercises you can engage in on a regular basis include boxing, jump rope, workout circuits, swimming, row machine intervals and jogging intervals.

Bonus
Nutrition
As an additional point, maintaining a healthy diet is critical for surfers. Note that the kind of diet you feed on just before a surfing session (and after if you’re doing multiple sessions per day or several in a week) significantly impacts on your performance out in the waters. To give you insight on how to prepare for surfing in terms of diet, here are some suggestions on what should feature on your menu.

Local, fresh and organic foods – though the price may be slightly higher compared to that of other foods, consider investing in these healthy foods and pesticide free vegetables. By opting for these, you will not only be supporting local farmers, but you will also be investing in your body’s health.
Whole foods – your diet should be free from excess sugar and processed foods by opting for quality proteins and fats, fruits and vegetables.
Breakfast ideas – surfing on a full stomach is quite uncomfortable, and though important before going out surfing, you need to choose what you feed on for breakfast. Health fats, proteins, and fruits or veggies can be a great option. The only thing to avoid in this case is bread and cereals, which have less nutritional value. On other surfing days, add some nuts and fruit to your breakfast.
Clean water and hydration – today, there are many varieties of sports drinks available that people are fond of taking as well as soda. These drinks are artificially flavored and have little value addition on your health. Taking clean water (and the water is safe to drink in Costa Rica!) is the best option and to stay hydrated, you can squeeze in some orange, lemon or lime to the water as well.
Learn to cook – preparing your food is the best way to ensure that you are eating healthy and it pays to buy a few recipe books and a slow cooker.
Lessen your alcohol intake. Drinking alcohol will slow you down and lessen all the good work you’re doing getting in shape and eating healthy. Minimize the intake or completely cut it out if you really want to be ready for the Costa Rica surf season!

When you add a healthy diet to the exercises explained above in preparation for your Costa Rica surf trip, your body will be all set. Any worries about how your body will respond whether you will be out surfing for a few minutes or hours will be eliminated.

Surf Costa Rica with Real Surf Trips and see why it’s called the ‘Rich Coast’. Real Surf Trips offers first class accommodation, experienced teachers, and superior service in one of the best surfing spots in Costa Rica!

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A wind-kite-surf vacation in the Dominican Republic

Why should people choose to vacation in the Dominican Republic for surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing?

Booking the best holiday destination depends on what an individual is seeking to achieve. That means that your choice will depend on tastes and preferences concerning a particular destination. For those who love surfing, windsurfing and kite surfing, for example, a destination with an ample environment that supports these activities would be most appropriate. A vacation in the Dominican Republic is a great option for those seeking any kind of surfing activity.

Let’s take a closer look to give you more insight as to why this destination is popular with all kinds of surfers.

Here is what you can expect and what you will experience here.

Sports
Those who fancy sports will find the Dominican Republic to be a place where they can engage in a variety of sports on land and sea. The thrill of enjoying your sport in an environment with a captivating ambiance is an exciting experience that is worth a million words and this is what you will find here. Water sports are surely popular the world over, and the adrenaline that these sports induce is reason enough to warrant your participation in these fun activities. The water sports in the Dominican Republic include surfing, kite surfing, windsurfing, snorkeling, fishing and wakeboard.
Nearly perfect weather
To enjoy each of these sports, you not only need a perfect environment but also one with perfect weather throughout the year. Sunlight is no rare commodity here, and that is why the Dominican Republic is ideal for all these sports all year long. The temperature here ranges between 78°F and 89°F and falls to just 68°F during winter. The area receives rainfall as well but mostly this happens more often in the night, so you have the days to enjoy your time here. And the nights to enjoy the culture and good food…
Gastronomy
To satisfy your appetite, sample some tantalizing 100% Creole dishes that incorporate a foreign influence as well. Sumptuous local delicacies are also available including the Mofongo, which is a delicacy comprising bananas, cracklings and pork. Another local dish you will enjoy is La Bandera (The Flag), a dish that features meat, rice, and beans. This particular dish draws its name from its color and flavor, and for dessert, you will find wholesome creole sweets with plum, milk, orange, coconut and tropical fruits.
Awesome accommodations
Accommodation at the locations we have chosen are all quality, offering high end luxury experiences. We offer two locations – Amber Coast and Cabarete, and we chose these specifically for the types of activities that you can do at each.

These places include the crystal clear Caribbean waters, fun activities on land and sea, great cuisine and drinks, fine white sands, casino and entertainment shows, lush vegetation and other cultural events. Personalized services and attention to detail at our exclusive accommodations will ensure that the experience remains etched in your mind for a long time coming.

In addition to the exclusivity of our accommodations, the restaurants here are right on the ocean fronts to give you the most amazing sights and private beaches that provide a relaxing atmosphere, in this tropical environment. Play such games as golf, volleyball, and tennis with a picturesque view of the Caribbean Sea and the experience is simply ecstatic from when you start off, to the point when you drop off to rest while enjoying your favorite cold drink.

The community
Friendly, hospitable, approachable, attentive, respectful and caring are some of the words that can be used to describe the wonderful people of this region. It is said that a smile is a language that anyone can understand and it is a value that the people here uphold by all means.

That is evident as they share some of the beautiful stories of the region, as they dance to their musical rhythms that are a true reflection of their culture, and in the jokes, they share as well. Dominican Republic is truly one destination you do not want to miss out on, and once you visit, you will surely want to make the trip back here as soon as you can.

Night life
After a day out in the ocean surfing, or on the sandy beaches enjoying your favorite sport or exploring around this beautiful country, night falls, and it is time to experience the other world. That is the night life that sets your feet to dancing through contagious music that hardly allows any thought of taking a rest to cross your mind. Coupled with amazing surprises, evenings here come to life, and that in and of itself will create a lasting memory.

If you are looking for a place that has music to dance to throughout the night, as well as delicious cuisine, the beach, fun, music, and fashion as well – it’s all here in the Dominican Republic. This provides a relaxing atmosphere that causes all your other concerns, and the stressful engagements of regular life, to drift away slowly. All that happens as you feel the sand on your feet, enjoy the view and take part in fun activities in our tropical location.

Breathtaking beaches
The vast sea is a major attraction here that everyone wants to visit when they come to the Dominican Republic. The sea here is permanently blue-green in color with fine white sandy beaches, and some areas within the sea are rich in natural life. For that reason, they are considered national treasures. Add to that, you can take the time to explore the coastal lagoons and idyllic reefs of this region, which are nothing short of stunning in every way.
Bigger surfing waves
Compared to many regions, the Caribbean receives waves on the sea throughout the year, and for that reason, it is a perfect environment for all who enjoy surfing, wind surfing and kite surfing. Both beginners and experienced surfers will treasure the experience that these waves bring, and it is a delight to go out and cruise the waters in such a stunning natural environment.

Our instructors will offer guidance especially to beginners, which means that most unlikely incidences are contained for all to have the best surfing experience ever. Those who have been surfing for a long time will also have something to learn from our instructors, and that turns out as an added advantage for them, as a result of interacting with and learning from our expert guides.

Affordable flights
When planning a surfing trip, one major consideration is the cost that one will incur to such a destination and back home again. That is one of the major factors that can either prevent or encourage you to book a flight to the Dominican Republic. The best thing is that flights to this destination are affordable whether you are booking as an individual, as a group. It is so close to the United States that flight deals are readily available.

You can often book just a few weeks before as well and pay an affordable rate for flights. That means that you will be well within your budget for all the activities you want to participate in during your vacation in the Dominican Republic. You can comfortably book your flight without worries and take a long deserved surfing break.

Suitability
It is always a pleasure to travel with someone who shares your surfing interests or to find someone at the destination you are visiting that is like-minded. But with so many activities here in the Dominican Republic, even if your friends, family or partner don’t want to participate in surfing, kite surfing or wind surfing, they will still have plenty of other experiences to enjoy during their vacation.

For those whose families, friends and partners do delight in all of the surfing experiences we have to offer on our beautiful coastline, a vacation here will end up being an amazing opportunity to connect and play together in our tropical zone.

The Dominican Republic is a great choice for family vacations or groups of friends who want adventure and relaxation in a tropical location. But it is more than just a haven for surfers, kite surfers and wind surfers! There are plenty of activities for everyone to participate in, on land or sea. Traveling solo? Not a problem, you are sure to meet plenty of friendly people along the way and you can count on our team to take care of all your needs.

Our team in the Dominican Republic is here to ensure you and your group have a fun time, try out new adventures and experiences, improve your skills with ocean sports and have you dreaming about your next trip before you’ve even left the island!

Real Surf Trips offers guests a once-in-a-lifetime vacation to learn surfing from our experts on one of the best surfing beaches in Costa Rica, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. Come enjoy our fantastic staff, beaches, and luxury accommodations!

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Learning Costa Rica Slang: Al Suave

Many people head to Costa Rica to enjoy a nice vacation with their loved ones. This is even truer during the winter when the temperature drops and people want somewhere warm that they can enjoy soaking up the sun. If you are planning on taking a trip to Costa Rica anytime soon, you want to make sure you have a solid understanding of the language and terminology used so you can fit in and understand what the locals are saying. You want to be able to enjoy your time away relaxing on the beach, heading out to ride the waves and just enjoying quality family time together.

One of the common Costa Rican slang phrases you will hear around town is al suave. This term is often used when telling someone to relax or take it easy. For example, you might hear someone say something like “Stop stressing, al suave”, which means to relax. It can be used in any number of other ways as well, but that is just to give you an idea!

Another example of how the word is used would be something like “Suave! I was just asking a question!” Essentially, this means also “relax, I was just asking”. Like telling the other person to calm down and not get upset over the subject matter. This Costa Rica slang term can be used in numerous situations, but the key point is always the same.

With so much to see and do in the area, you don’t want to miss out on something simply because you didn’t understand what the people were saying. Brushing up on some of the slang terms can go a long way on your Costa Rica surf trip. While the native language might be Spanish, you will hear a number of these slang terms being used every day. Now you can relax and have the best time of your life here simply by taking the time to learn a few words.

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Typical food in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a little known wonder of the world with a range of different adventures awaiting you both in the culture you’re going to immerse yourself in and the experiences you’re definitely going to have. An entire family will have more than enough to do here and if you’re traveling alone or with a few friends you’re still not going to be disappointed by just what this beautiful country has to offer. From the immense beauty around you to the friendly people and the delicious food, you will definitely wish you’d come to this country a whole lot sooner.

Don’t Miss Out On These Meals

Thinking of taking a vacation in Costa Rica? Maybe even a surf camp? Well, one of the things you may be considering is the type of food we have here! While it’s common to think we have a lot of the same dishes as Mexico, given we’re both located in Central America, that actually isn’t totally true.

To begin, there are a number of dishes in Costa Rica that you’re not going to want to miss out on. We’ll start with a number of popular dishes that visitors love when they stop by and then we’ll look at some of the more popular special occasion dishes and finally, things that the locals absolutely love. Who doesn’t love really immersing themselves in the popular dishes after all? There’s a lot there to try here.

Top Breakfast Dishes

One of the most common breakfast dishes in Costa Rica is called Gallo Pinto. Named for the colors in a rooster’s plumage – spotted rooster, this rice dish also includes black beans, sour cream, scrambled eggs and fried plantains and is actually an extremely common dish for the Ticos in the area. Most have this with some coffee or fruit juice to start off their day, every day.

Huevos rancheros is another popular dish that features eggs, beans and cheese on corn tortillas. It’s super easy to make but it’s also extremely popular and something that you’re definitely going to want to try while you’re there and even make once you get back home (though it won’t ever taste quite like it does in Costa Rica). Don’t forget to spread out the ranchera sauce over the top (which is going to be unique to each soda – locally owned restaurant – that you stop at) and you’re ready to go.

Top Lunch Dishes

Casados are a very popular dish to serve with lunch and are very similar to gallo pinto. This dish consists of beans and rice with fried plantains but it also includes meat or fish as well as white cheese and corn tortillas. Not only that, but this dish features all of the different ingredients side by side instead of mixed together like gallo pinto.

One dish you may not associate with Costa Rica as much is Ceviche, which is often eaten as an appetizer. It is made with raw fish and marinated with spices like cilantro and garlic as well as cooked with things like hot peppers, onion and celery. In Costa Rica, however, not all ceviche even has fish in it and some will have other fruits or vegetables instead. You’re going to want to stop in to a local soda, or casual restaurant, for this one.

Rondon, which is basically a hodge podge of different ingredients that the chef can find, is primarily made with fish head and a variety of different vegetables that are simmered together in coconut milk with some chilies and other ingredients to add a little bit of heat. This one may not be for everyone but definitely give it a try!

Rice and beans are popular in Costa Rica as well as other Latin countries. Though you might think that this is a super-simple dish and there’s not much to it, you’ll find that it includes a lot more than just rice and beans but also sometimes coconut milk, cilantro, and sweet red peppers that are designed to make it just the right combination of hearty and delicious.

Top Dinner Dishes

Arroz con pollo is a popular dish among ticos when it comes to dinner time. This dish consists of two main ingredients which are actually named right in the dish name, arroz or rice and pollo, or chicken. Quite simple to make this dish is nearly always served with traditional vegetables like camote, chayote and yucca.

Tamales are a very common dish in nearly all Latin countries and typically consist of slightly different styles depending on where you eat them. The ones you’ll find in Costa Rica feature rice, beans, vegetables and different types of meat all coated in seasoned corn meal and coveredwith the leaves of plantains, then boiled to perfection.

Another commonly eaten dish that many people know about is empanadas. Though many people think of empanadas as a sweet snack or dessert, for those who live in Costa Rica they’re actually an extremely common meal as well. That’s because Empanadas don’t have to be just for dessert. These fried or baked pockets are often filled with beans, potatoes, chicken, beef and cheese to create a filling dish.

If you’re looking for a smaller dinner you may want to try the traditional soups like olla de carne. Similar to a vegetable soup it features beef, potatoes, carrots, plantains, chayote and yucca. This is going to be a hearty and more filling soup as is sopa negra, which is a black bean soup, often times served with white rice and a hard boiled egg.

Top Desserts

All full from the day but still looking for a good dessert? If you are ready for dessert you’ll love the ensalada de frutas (fruit salad) which typically consists of a variety of different tropical fruits. This might include papayas, bananas, pineapple and maracuya.

Two other popular dishes are arroz con leche and Tres Leches. Arroz con leche, or rice with milk, is a sweeter dish that uses one of the most popular ingredients in most Latin cultures, rice. The rice is cooked in milk but what really gives it the sweetness is the sugar and cinnamon that are included as well. Tres Leches, or three milks, is a sweet cake that is coated with evaporated, condensed and regular milks and topped with whipped cream.

Flan is yet another popular dish and is made with plenty of sugar, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, regular milk and a lot of eggs. Plus you’ll need the fruit or other ingredients you want to sweeten and flavor it with. Before you know it, you’re going to have a sweet treat you won’t want to miss.

Top Sides and Snacks

Chifrijo is an extremely popular snack that you’ll find in many bars and local establisments. It is made with black beans, rice, pork pieces and pico de gallo all combined together and served with tortilla chips. Plus if the tortilla chips are freshly made, that makes the dish even better.

Picadillo is another popular snack that consists of diced vegetables like chayote that are parboiled with other vegetables like onions and carrots. Garlic is often thrown in for a little more flavor and meat may be added to make the dish even more filling. Another dish that is extremely variable to the individual who makes it, picadillo is actually very common with just about any meal and you’ll likely find it often in local sodas.

Coffee may not seem like a side dish or a snack, but in Costa Rica it’s definitely something you’re not going to go very long without. It’s grown here and the brew is always good – so if you’re the type of person who really likes coffee you’re going to get a lot of strong flavors here that you definitely won’t find in other places!

Granizados is a dish that’s closest equivalent would be sno cones, but it’s entirely different as well. It’s made with shaved ice and flavored syrup, but before you put that syrup on you get powdered and condensed milk, which definitely makes for a slightly different flavor that you’re still going to love just as much.

Special Occasion Dishes

Though they are starting to be made and eaten more frequently, tamales were typically a holiday dish because of the amount of effort that goes into making them. Families would gather together to make their tamales for the Christmas season and would even give them as gifts to their friends and neighbors.

Queque navideno is a sweet dish that many Costa Rican families love for the Christmas season as well. It is made with rum soaked dried fruits that are then baked into something that resembles a fruitcake. The alcohol gives the fruit a little bit of flavor but there’s no real alcohol left by the time it’s cooked and served.

Costa Rica offers a variety of food to try that you may not find in your local hometown. It has a interesting and unique dishes that you’re going to want to try for yourself. Whether you’re heading out alone or you’re going to take the entire family, these dishes and a whole lot more are going to be available to you and you’re not going to want to miss out on tradition.

While Costa Rica is not known for cooking with spices like Mexico, the food here is still a delight to try and savor. Come on down and experience great food and great surfing in Costa Rica!

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Top 10 New Years Resolutions for Surfing

Top 10 New Years Resolutions for Surfing

With 2016 coming to a close and 2017 about to start, it makes sense that people are making their New Year’s Resolutions. While some vow to lose weight and others vow to save more money, some are thinking about one thing in particular…surfing.

If you love to surf (or are fascinated by the sport and want to learn more), there are a few resolutions you can make surrounding your favorite hobby that can make it all worthwhile in 2017. Check out these top surfing resolutions below.

Learn how to surf.

If you have always been interested in surfing but never got the chance to learn how, there is no time like the present to learn how to surf. We recommend at our Costa Rica surf camps! We offer experienced instructors who are more than happy to go through the specifics with you and make sure you have a solid understanding of what it takes to surf.

Surfing is also a great way to get out and enjoy nature and take in your surroundings at the same time. It is an excellent form of exercise and helps you strengthen your body, especially your core muscles. Even if you have never tried surfing before, you can learn how to do it with a little time and patience.

Take care of the environment and the beach.

Since surfing involves going to the beach to ride the waves, you want to make sure the local environment and the beach are in pristine condition at all times. While it might not be you who made the mess, that doesn’t mean you should allow it to continue piling up. Spend some time picking up a few items every time you go out to the beach to surf.

By keeping the environment and the beach clean and clear, you can relish in the fact that the waters are going to be clean and clear for you to enjoy the surf. After all, no one wants to attempt to surf with a bunch of trash floating around in the water. Not only is it unsanitary, but it isn’t safe either. If everyone does their part to keep the environment clean, it will allow many more to come out and enjoy the water.

Travel to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful areas around the world, especially for those who are looking for a place to surf and enjoy the world around them. If you have never been to Costa Rica before, there is no time like the present to plan a trip to the area. The beautiful sandy beaches, crystal clear waters and pleasant temperatures make this one of the pristine places to head out and enjoy riding the waves.

Until you have the opportunity to surf here, you won’t know what you are missing out on. It is a great place to take the family and enjoy a nice vacation while being able to do something that you love.

Already been here? Then you know and we hope you’ll come back again and again!

Take care of yourself.

Surfing requires a lot of skill and strength. You need to have excellent balance to be able to stay upright when trying to ride the waves. That means you need to do your part to make sure you are in shape at all times. If you allow yourself to fall out of shape, that could end up spelling disaster when you try to ride the waves. Keeping your core strong and your balance intact can go a long way when you try surfing.

Learn new surfing techniques.

Even if you have been surfing for years, you can always learn a few new tips and tricks along the way. There are plenty of new techniques out there that you can try out to see if you might prefer one of them over your current surfing skills. Experiment with some of the options on your favorite waves that way you can get a feel for whether they are what you seek or not. With so many different techniques out there that you can use, there is no way to know whether you are getting the most out of your experience as you can until you experiment with different options. Our surf camp instructors are happy to help you!

Get out and surf more.

One of the main go-to resolutions for people who love to surf is to get out there and do it more often, to make it a part of their daily routine. While you might say you are going to surf more, it often ends up taking a backseat to everything else you have going on in your life. You end up getting frustrated because you didn’t get out there and ride the waves. Instead of being unhappy about the situation, find a way to get out and surf more this coming year. Being outside and taking in the sunshine and the salty water will allow you to relax and unwind, while spending time doing something that you truly love and enjoy.

Explore more destinations.

At some point in time or another, just about everyone gets stuck in a rut. They find their ideal surfing location and end up sticking with it. While there is nothing wrong with having a favorite spot to hang out and enjoy the waves, you should get out there and explore different locations to see what you might be missing out on. You never know what you might discover until you actually spend some time looking around. The change of scenery is good for you and it allows you to take in the sights and sounds of the world around you at the same time.

In addition to Costa Rica, we also offer surf trips in Jamaica and the Dominican Republic!

Don’t forget the wax.

Many surfers will go out and spend a decent amount of money on a new wetsuit or a stylish new board, but they end up forgoing the wax. It doesn’t make much sense when you stop and think about it. After all, a bar of wax is only a couple of bucks, while the wetsuit could have cost you a couple hundred. The last thing you want to do is end up slipping off the big wave of the day simply because you forgot to apply the wax to your board. But, it isn’t about just any bar of wax. You have to consider the temperature of the water where you plan on spending the day. Different water temps make a difference in what type of bar you need for your board.

Keep your vehicle clean.

How many times have you gone out and rode a wave only to end up throwing your wetsuit and board in your vehicle without drying them off? It probably happens more often than you might want to admit. You end up rushing out of the water, throwing everything in your vehicle and rushing off to work, school or somewhere else important. Every time you throw your items in your vehicle, you are bringing in all of that sand, water and other elements from the outside.

Over time, that wetsuit will end up smelling quite repugnant, especially when the temperature outside warms up and cooks the sweat in. Invest in a plastic container that you can easily put your wet items into after you get done surfing. Then, make sure to take the tub out and dry everything out as soon as you get home. Also, you need to go through and clean all of the sand out of your vehicle as well. Sand is just part of the equation when it comes to surfing, and it doesn’t take long to accumulate in your vehicle.

Rinse off your wetsuit.

If you are like many individuals surfing in cooler water temps, you probably end up tossing your wetsuit aside without even thinking about it twice. While it might not seem like a big deal, you are actually causing yourself more problems than what it is worth. The best thing you can do is to take yoru wetsuit inside of your home and rinse it off after every surfing session. Hanging your suit up isn’t enough. You need to take things a step further and rinse it off each time.

By rinsing your suit off, you can help extend the lifespan of it, thus saving you money in the long run. Another thing to think about is the fact that a salty suit could end up causing a skin infection. Who wants to deal with a skin infection when it could have been prevented by simply washing the wetsuit off after surfing? It only takes a couple of minutes, but it is well worth it in the end.

Which of these resolutions will you commit to and do you have any that you’ve come up with as well? Stay focused on how you can improve your surfing skills and get out in the water more. Regardless of what resolution you decide to go with, you want to make it something that you stick with. Don’t allow another year to pass where you aren’t happy with the end result! Happy 2017! We hope to see you this year at one of our Real Surf Trips locations in Costa Rica, Jamaica or the Dominican Republic!

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