Personal Story... While board surfing thousands of time over a period of many years, the worst accident I ever had was body surfing on a two-feet wave on a beach resort in Mexico.  With just a 2-foot wave breaking in 2-feet of water over a typical-looking sandy beach, I crashed my shoulder hard into the sand and broke a collarbone. Only after my accident did I stop and realize the hidden dangers of even a small wave breaking in such shallow water.  When I asked the locals why no one was ever warned, they said, 'And spoil there vacation!".

Answer to a question about water safety on Tripadvisor by member surfspongerTamarindo that deserves repeating.

Question: Is it dangerous swimming in front of the Diria Hotel, or any other spot in Tamarindo?

Answer: I'm glad you asked this question about body surfing or swimming in front of the Diria for I personally know people who have gotten into a lot of trouble at that spot and have myself rescued two. The problem is a simple matter of mathematics. Even if a rip current is gentle (3 mph) and a person can only swim 2 mph, then they're in just as much trouble if they lose contact with the bottom as in a strong current. So, the answer to the question is that they are deceiving.

People in the water don't realize their in trouble until their worn out trying to swim out of it , and people on the beach are not particularly watching because they don't realize what's happening. This is the danger. However, let's not pick on the Diria because this is true in many places throughout the world. At least they have put up warning signs.

Do Boogie or Body Boards Make You Safer?

Depends... with the right equipment, yes! With the wrong equipment, could be more dangerous! The cheaper body  boards give users a false sense of security and can actually be more dangerous! Personally, I would like to see everyone that goes out in the ocean have a body board with a pro-lease and fins with pro safety straps. It makes you almost drown-proof!

Almost! Lawyers have insisted that the plugs that attach the lease to the board pull-out with heavy force! This is to protect lease makers from liability for separated shoulders (since the strap attaches to ones arm). The problem is that when you really need your board, leases just pop out from your board and your left swimming in heavy surf with just a dangling lease and fins. Just when you most need the board, you don't have it.

I have body surfed thousands of times and I used to accept this weird safety feature, and the only times I've ever felt in danger is when my lease popped out of the board. Nowadays, I modify my leases so they can't pull-out with a heavy tug from a big wave. I'd rather have a separate shoulder than drown!

I have had and seen cases where even a boogie board and one fin with safety straps (and even once a swimming suits) have been swept away with just one wave)

Very important, give the ocean a lot of respect. No one single safeguard system is fool-proof. Always assume you'd need to swim out on your own, have people watch you, realize swimming with others is not always the best protection, better if a surfer on shore has a long-board for rescues.

I still love to body board and feel safe in the water. My personal safety rule is that when I stop being cautious it's time to stay out of the water.

I hope this Post will help people stay safe.

Tamarindo Costa Rica Surf Report

Witch's Rock is a tall rock just off-shore from a famous surfing beach called, oddly enough, "Witch's Rock." It has a legend that dates back to at least the mid-century when night fisherman noticed an intense, terrifying sound coming from its rocky shore, and the closer one got, the louder it became. Because the face of the rock is straight up and down, it looks like a hangout for a witch straight out of a "Harry Potter' story. The fisherman still say the mysterious screeching is a warning from the resident witch not to come to close. Others say it is the unusual shape of the rock which makes the frighting noise as the off-shore winds blow hard over and between them and the wind caused by big waves creating even more winds as big waves crash into the rocks at its base.

In the early days surfers often braved cold water and their skin just turned blue from the cold. When the first wet suits appeared (actuallly they were scuba wet suits) and the first leashes were seen (actually they were surgical tubing), the new age of surfing technology was launched.

In the old days, if you stood up during your first month - you would be considered a fast learner! Not so anymore, the quick results of modern teaching methods and equipment enable most students to stand up and ride a wave during their first lesson! Still learning to surf is a gradual process where you just get better every day. A good surf instructor, a good location and favorable surf conditions help tremendously.

 

If you are wondering if you have the physical capabilities to learn, he is some advice: People with back or knee problems sometimes cannot learn to stand on a surfboard because they are unable to properly bend their bodies. Never having tried surfing is not a factor. Being really strong is not necessarily helpful unless you are strong because you are a competitive swimmer. If you like the water and can laugh at yourself you absolutely CAN do it.

If you are left with an open-end question about the best place to learn to surf, wonder no more, Tamarindo is the best place and safest in all of Costa Rica. There are surf spots right infront of a slew of shops ready to walk you a few yards to the ocean.  

 

Surfing is a sport for free spirits, but there are well-established rules that promote safety, common sense, and courtesy. The law of the land-less and the camaraderie of the sea dictate that experts and students alike get a fair shake on the waves, that everyone emerges from the water unharmed, that boards remain undamaged and a great time is had by all.

Respect and adhere to the following guidelines:

1. If you come as a large group, reduce the shock and enter the sea a few at a time. This isn’t an ambush. Everyone will get their big break.

2. Wait your turn: Don’t paddle straight out to where the best waves are breaking, but rather hang on the side and join the lineup in order.

3. Once in the queue, do your best to say “Hi.” Even if you don’t get a response, it is your friendly intention that counts.

4. Share the waves and don’t be too aggressive. If it appears that you’re hogging the swells and are disregarding the rights of other surfers, don’t be surprised if a fellow rider drops right in on you!

5. When you paddle for a wave… catch it! If you back out of a perfectly good wave, the locals may not let you have another.

6. Even if you stand up first, the right of way belongs to the surfer closest to the peak. If you “drop in” accidentally, apologize.

7. When paddling back to the lineup, a surfer riding a wave has the right-of-way. When you can, paddle behind the surfer so you do not interfere with his ride.

Ollie’s Point

This famous point break an hour’s boat ride north of Playa del Coco was once a secret military base built by the USA to provide logistical support to the Contras in Nicaragua. During the secret war local surfers re-named it for its secret commander, American Colonel Oliver North. A right break with a friendly, long ride, this point is featured in the movie, “Endless Summer II”. To get there, it is best to reserve a place on a boat.

 

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Witch’s Rock

One of the most famous beach-breaks in the country, this is a remote spot located in the Santa Rosa National Park. Although it is possible to access with a four-wheel drive vehicle, most people opt to take a boat from Playa del Coco, a much easier option. Camping is permitted, but no facilities exist. If you do decide to rough it on the beach, make sure you pack a mosquito net! Beach access is closed during the rainy season (July - November). Expect very strong offshore winds from December to March.

Playa Grande

This popular spot—about a 30 minute drive from Tamarindo—boasts some great beach breaks. Not just your average surf break, it can get epic at times!

Langosta

The surf is not that consistent, but can be hot at times! It likes a medium in-coming tide.

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Playa Avellanas

This area is distinguished by quality beach breaks and a notable reef break just north dubbed “Little Hawaii” just a few minutes walk north along the beach. When the waves are big, this is a prime surfing spot.

Playa Negra

Just south of Playa Avellanas, this is an excellent right reef point break with solid tubular waves. Waves hold up even during large swells.

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