Monday, August 30, 2010

How Dangerous is Surfing in a Thunderstorm?

As the official rainy season approaches in Tamarindo (September and October are the rainiest months of the year) we've already had a few spectacular thunderstorms. At WRSC, we often find ourselves surfing in the rain, and generally it's great. A light rain can knock down the winds, and glass up the swell. Plus, the rain down here is in the 80 degree range, and often comes with bonus rainbows, so it's pretty groovy. But thunderstorms are different. We usually get at least one a week this time of year, mostly at night, and they can be real earth shakers. Sometimes you're out surfing when one starts forming in the afternoon.

The other day, surfing with my 10 and 12 year old, a big thunderhead started rolling in from the Southwest over the ocean, and soon there were lighting bolts visible a few miles off in the distance. Everybody else in the water kept surfing, but my kids asked how far away a thunderstorm was safe. Of course we all know that thunderstorms are dangerous, but for a quick answer to "how far away", I didn't have a good answer, so we got out of the water. A few days later, the topic came up at lunch with co-workers, and nobody seemed to know either. The general consensus was that they got out of the water when everybody else started to...which was sometimes when thunderstorms were almost directly overhead.

So I hit the internet for some answers. Turns out, surfing anywhere close to a thunderstorm is a pretty bad idea. A quick Google search shows dozens of articles about surfers all over the world who have been struck while surfing, and also diving, boating, and all other forms of water recreation. Being on the beach wasn't much better. In fact, being in the water was the second most dangerous place to be (the most dangerous is standing in an open field). The answer my kids were looking for...is that no distance is really safe. If there's a thunderstorm in the area, or even building thunderheads, it can strike unexpectedly even if it's still sunny where you are. In my tour of various articles, I was surprised to learn that only about 17% of people who are struck by lightning actually die...and yet I'd rather not join either statistical group.

Salty seawater is an excellent electrical conductor, and a lightning strike up to 90 meters away (a football field) in the water can still kill you. Lightning will always seek out the highest point to strike, and a surfer on a wave or sitting in the lineup could be that lightning rod. In the grand scheme of things, the chances of getting struck are still really, really low. But I don't think I'll push my luck. As beautiful as thunderstorms are, I'll be watching the next one from the bar, not my board.


--Yana
WRSC

Labels:

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Big Swell to Nick Hernandez

Nick from Common Sense stopped by Witch`s Rock last week and busted out a fun and casual acoustic set from his new solo album. We captured all the action from one locked off angle with a cheap videocamera while we drank beer and enjoyed the show. To spice up the footage, we cut in some of the best shots from the Big Swell that blessed our coast for most of last week. The swell reports all say more of the same is on the way this week! Wish you were here.

Labels:

Blake Mycoskie of TOMS Shoes gives WRSC a shout out

We truly appreciate it when you tell your friends about Witch's Rock Surf Camp. If you happen to be famous and get interviewed in a magazine or on TV, plugging the camp will win you something extra. This morning I got an email from Blake Mycoskie, founder of TOMS Shoes, telling the world about WRSC in Coastal Living magazine. For doing this, Blake, we here at WRSC are shipping you a giant plate of nachos from our restaurant Eat @ Joe's. I hope they stay fresh! Thank you for the plug Blake, we look forward to hosting you and your entire family at Witch's Rock Surf Camp this Thanksgiving holiday.

pura vida-
joe

By the way, when I was on Blake's facebook page a little bit ago I remembered that today is his birthday, here's a happy birthday shout out back!


Labels:

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Hot, Wet & Cheap


Delta Announces Cheap Flights To Liberia This September!

Yes, the summer is almost over. Time to go back to school, or back to work, or both. I guess this means you won't be doing any traveling or going on surf trips for quite a while, right? WRONG! Delta Airlines and Witch's Rock Surf Camp are offering incredible deals for next month, prices so low you could feasibly sneak in another vacation and give yourself the endless summer!

Here are some Delta flights we found online from Delta.com and Kayak.com for round-trip flights to Liberia, Costa Rica, traveling during the month of September 2010.

Los Angeles (LAX) - $433
San Francisco (SFO) - $389
Denver (DEN) - $362
Washington DC (WAS) - $348
New York (JFK) - $467
Philadelphia (PHL) - $326
Atlanta (ATL) - $446
San Diego (SAN) - $397

On top of this great news, here's more: Witch's Rock Surf Camp is currently offering 7-night surf vacations starting at only $660/person!* during September and October.

This includes:
- Airport shuttle service to/from Liberia (LIR) Airport (free on Saturdays)
- Daily accommodations
- Daily hearty breakfast at "Eat @ Joe's", our on-site restaurant
- (Daily 90 minute in-water surf lesson + informative surf seminar) OR (Daily guided AM + PM surf tours or full-day surf tours)
- Daily board rental with unlimited usage
- This price includes TAX!!! (the sneaky killer of the good deal!)

*$660/person reflects the double rate for a Tiki room discounted 25% from our normal rate.
**You could conceivably take a surf trip to Costa Rica for a thousand bucks, and who does that these days??

How 'bout YOU and OUR CREW in PERU?

November 6 - 13, 2009 - Join the Witch's Rock Surf Camp crew as we lead a surf adventure surfing Peru! Guided by WRSC founder Joe Walsh.

Every year WRSC guides a surf trip to Peru. Why? Because Peru has the longest waves in the world. This trip will visit mostly left point-breaks with the focus being to find you the best waves that we can. Guests should have some surfing experience as surf lessons are not included on this tour. You will need at least a 3/2 full wetsuit because the water isn't warm like it is here in Costa Rica. The waves are world-class, the terrain is rugged, the trip is an experience you can't miss. This trip always books up fast, we are always stoked to return year after year.

Peru Surf Tour Package + Rates

$1400/person includes:

- Lima Airport pick- up / drop-off
- 7 nights hotel accommodation
- daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- guided transportation to multiple surf spots
- limited surfboard rentals

Pura Vida from your friends at Witch's Rock Surf Camp!

Call us toll free for a surf check 1-888-318-SURF

Witch's Rock Surf Camp
Playa Tamarindo
Costa Rica
Web: http://www.witchsrocksurfcamp.com
Email: witchsrocksurfcamp@gmail.com
Tel: 1 888 318 SURF
Tel: 011-506-2653-1262
Become our friend on Facebook.

Labels:

Monday, August 16, 2010

Nick Hernandez from Common Sense Soon to Play Live Show


Nick Hernandez playing live at Eat @ Joe's sometime during this week. Stay tuned to our www.facebook.com/witchsrocksurfcamp and right here on our blog for the big announcement. Don't miss out on this amazing surf inspired guitarist and singer!



Labels: ,

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Left Point Break Anyone?


We have a lot of really fun beach breaks in this area, but sometimes you want to try something different. That is why we have trips to Nicaragua, Panama and Peru.

Speaking of Peru, do you like that photo above? How about this one?


You can be there! On November 6-13, 2010 Joe will be guiding the tour to Peru. It is $1400. Just fly into Lima on the 6th and fly out on the 13th and we will take care of the rest. We will announce a more detailed schedule later.

Give us a call at 1-888-318-SURF or an email at witchsrocksurfcamp@gmail.com for more details and soon you can be experiencing the glory of some of the longest left point breaks in the world.

In the meantime, Check out these pics!





Labels: ,

Thursday, August 5, 2010

For those of you who do not receive our newsletter...


Green and High

Yes folks, we're less than a month away from our official "Green Season" Discounts of 25% (30% for return guests!) in the months of September and October. So if you want to enjoy the quietest time of the year with us, come on down! Always a lot of fun. On the flipside--bookings for "High Season" (December through April) are filling up fast. So if you were planning to Surf with Santa, Rock in the New Year at our Beach Blanket BBQ, Smooch with your Valentine at Sunset, or Hunt for Easter Eggs on the Beach, best to book now. We were booked solid for all of last high season (even putting guests into other partner hotels in town every week) so don't snooze if you want to secure your spot for those prime months.

Bonus Nachos

No, we're not just mangling the Spanish language trying to say "buenos noches"...there really have been a lot of Bonus Nachos around here lately. The last six weeks have been a great time to be hanging at the restaurant as we've been cooking up a bunch of new recipes to add to our menu, including upgrades to our world famous Nachos as Big as Your Ass, and new items we've never offered before. Don't worry, all your favorites will still be here, but better (thicker French Toast, marinated shredded Chicken standard on the Nachos, new Taco recipes that rock...) Yummy dishes have been flowing out daily as Holly and our hardworking kitchen crew test out the new offerings and refine the recipes. We've been cruising the new plates around the camp, getting opinions from guests and employees on the new Huevos Rancheros, Tortilla Soup, Chicken Teriyaki Bowl, Waffles, and more! Over the next few days we'll be trying out dessert recipes (Yes! We're finally doing desserts!) and we'll need to surf even more to balance all those ice cream calories. Look for the new menu in a couple of weeks.

Big Fish

Bigger Sushi Bar, actually. Check out our newly expanded Sushi Bar next time you come in, and we'll share our plans for ever more tinkering in the restaurant and beyond...

Pura Vida from your friends at Witch's Rock Surf Camp!

Call us toll free for a surf check 1-888-318-SURF

Witch's Rock Surf Camp
Playa Tamarindo
Costa Rica
Web: http://www.witchsrocksurfcamp.com
Email: witchsrocksurfcamp@gmail.com
Tel: 1 888 318 SURF
Tel: 011-506-2653-1262
Become our friend on Facebook.

Labels:

Monday, August 2, 2010

¿Dónde está el jefe?

Guests and staff at Witch's Rock Surf Camp might notice something missing. Over the last week or so we have heard the same question repeated over and over, "Where's Joe?"

Right now, Joe is in Rhodes Island where David Levy is teaching him how to shape awesome surfboards. Pretty soon, Joe will be back in Costa Rica making custom boards here at Witch's Rock Surf Camp in our brand new shaping room.

Any requests?

Labels: