Costa Rica Case

Costa Rica surf prevails some of the most perfect and consistent waves on earth. Surfing in Nosara will embark one on a journey of a lifetime. The tranquility of the area, marked by soothing yoga and super surf, seems to transport the body and peace of mind on the trip of a lifetime. However over my last thanksgiving break, it appeared as if I had forgotten that accidents happen, and sometimes a perfect dream can end up as a wretched nightmare. Being uncomfortably close to a shark attack, concussion, and drowning were not how I was planning to end my otherwise perfect vacation.

It was last day before I would arrive home in hot muggy Tampa bay, and unfortunately have to resume my sophomore school year and swim season. After a hearty morning breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast with marmalade, surfing filled my otherwise blank mind. The 10:45 am low tide sets came in, four of them at a time, 10 minutes apart. Strong off shore winds sculpted the crescents, causing the waves to house hollow tubes, like one could find in a playground. While I listened to the crashing of the waves, I strapped my leash onto my scrawny left ankle, as all "goofy"(right foot forward) riders would. I felt the wax on my board rub against my right arm and felt as though I was being drawn into the water.

Shortly thereafter, I found myself paddling out on my board, putting my swimmer shoulders to good use. With every oncoming wave, I shoved my 6'2" Cannibal board under the wave, and popped up like an egret on the other side of the white water wish wash. The burning in my eyes and the salt in my mouth made the experience much better as my body realized that I was getting ready to surf. Glancing at my pink freestyle watch, I noticed that I had been paddling for merely 5 minutes but my body told me otherwise. As I look up, my heart skipped a beat. Standing more than ten feet tall, lay a gigantic wave just six or seven feet in front of me. I quickly came to the