“As a family, we have taken many vacations,” explains Rancho Santa Fe resident Allison Stratton, who, together with her husband Scott and their children Sydney and Burke, spent the Thanksgiving holiday at Safari Surf School in Costa Rica. “I think this experience was very special because of the camp setting in such a gorgeous yet unspoiled atmosphere. Almost immediately upon arrival we were immersed in a very fun learning environment that really strengthened our family bond.”
An official Billabong Surf Camp and ISA-certified surf school, Safari Surf Camp was founded in 2000 and is also featured in National Geographic’s “Best Outfitters on Earth.” Brothers Tim Marsh and Tyler Marsh run the operation, though they’ll tell you they never thought they’d own their own surf school. Tim books the trips and handles the logistics from his office in Escondido, while Tyler runs the surf school and the hotel/restaurant, Hotel Casa Tucan.
The surf instructors, primarily locals, are encouraging and patient. “They seemed to really enjoy our progress,” Stratton recalls. “They knew when and how to push you to the next level. They were also fantastic with the kids. Watching them surf on their own time was inspirational.”
In addition to being renowned for its pristine waters and a gentle surf break, Nosara, Costa Rica is also known for yoga. Stratton notes, “Our vacation package also included daily yoga or massage. The hour-and-a-half Yoga for Surfers class was amazing.”
For those interested in leaving the planning to the pros, Safari Surf School offers a variety of packages with combinations of offerings that include all ground transportation in/around Nosara, lodging at your choice of hotel accommodation, daily meals, surfing classes with all equipment, yoga classes, professionally-shot HD video footage of your adventure, and much more. Personal chefs and private plane and helicopter charters can also be added to any package for those who so desire.
With two surf lessons each day, the Stratton family quickly went from “dead beginners to being able to surf outside the break, albeit not perfectly or gracefully.” During a lesson one afternoon,
it was raining, but Stratton points out, “I hardly noticed it because the water was so warm. The sun was setting over the ocean and there was a rainbow over the land — and to top it off we were surfing! I have never felt such bliss.” (866/433-3355, www.safarisurfschool.com) MIA STEFANKO
