On my last day in Tamarindo I did manage to get out to the ocean and get in the water. Boy did it feel good to surf again.

After the accident, I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about going back in the water… whether I was going to feel scared or uncomfortable… but it actually felt great.

Last time I was in Costa Rica, Allan and I just rented boards and did our own surf trips everywhere, which was great. This time, however, I decided to go with Witch’s Rock Surf Camp since I was by myself. It was going to be awesome — boat trips, trips to beaches I had never been before, and even a boat trip to a reef break.

So the first day, early in the morning I showed up at WRSC to select my board and meet the guides and the people I would be surfing with. Everyone was super nice and helpful. They loaded up the boards on top of the van and we headed out to Playa Grande.

What a beautiful beach! Allan and I surfed here before but it wasn’t as good as the day I had with WRSC. Although some of the guys were complaining that it was “too small”, it was just the right size for me to get my confidence back getting in the water again.

I stepped out onto the sandy shore and let the warm water hit my legs. The guide, Killian (who was also cute), assured me that everything was going to be okay, and pointed out a good spot for me to paddle out to.

I caught some of the best waves of my life that day! Some awesome lefts and rights, and about shoulder-high waves. Really nice clean beach break. Compared to Tofino at least!

There were some great surfers out there.

Even long boarders! Haha. I’m a long boarder myself, so it definitely felt weird to be out there with a bunch of short boarders.

There were even a couple really cute surfer chicks! Nope, that’s not me. Sadly when you travel by yourself you don’t get any photos of yourself taken

The WRSC Guide Killian getting out of the water.

After a great session I headed back to my apartment to get ready for the next surf session of the day. Sadly, when I looked in the mirror I noticed the cut on my forehead had started to pull apart. Ugh! I couldn’t believe it. No more surfing for the rest of my trip. What. A. Total. Bummer. Decided to shorten up my trip and head back early since without surfing, well… there wasn’t much point being in Costa Rica.

For my last night there I decided to head into town (Tamarindo) and eat at Allan’s and my favourite Italian restaurant that we found last time, Bruno’s Pizzeria.

I ordered sparkling water. I love how all the labels in Costa Rica are in Spanish, and when you go to the grocery store it’s always quite a challenge to figure out what every thing is! A lot of people in Costa Rica are either locals (Spanish), come from the USA (know basic Spanish) or come from neighbouring countries (know a lot of Spanish). Soooo it’s hard getting by as a Canadian with no exposure to Spanish. I do my best, but it’s not good enough

Delicious pepperoni and pineapple pizza!

Spinach tortellini with cream sauce!

And yes, one of the most beautiful views in the city. Check out that sunset sky!

I love watching the sun set over Tamarindo.

Can’t beat the view at Bruno’s.

What a great way to spend my last night in Costa Rica. Beautiful!

All this sun and lack of snow (and a lackluster snowboarding season in terms of snowfall) is making me ache for the ocean again. It feels like it’s been a long time since November, and I’m dying to get back into the water.

I’m a little disappointed I didn’t get to go surfing this winter. It just didn’t factor into the finances and snowboarding was on my mind. I am planning to go later this month or early April, so the freeze factor will definitely still be there.

Although I definitely consider myself a winter lover… snowboarding… ice hockey… skating… and Christmastime… there’s still a part of me that looks forward to spring every year. The sunshine, the Canucks in the playoffs, and the excellent surf.

I miss Tofino.

I have to admit I’m looking forward to the summer this year…

Heading to Tofino… one of my favourite breaks and lookouts, Flo Bay..

I purchased my first surfboard a year and a half ago… I love my 7’10″ Red Al Merrick Water Hog. Now it looks all used and covered in wax… but it’s still my baby and it’s still beautiful

I love surfing with friends in Tofino… I love Long Beach… especially when it is big surf and just right in the spring…

I love building fires on the beach…

I love all the beaches, even Chesterman’s when it is small and easy and fun in the summer…

I love the peacefulness of the inlet…

I love heading out to the water a few times a month for several months, getting out there when I can… even though it never seems like enough.

I’m looking forward to getting better at skimboarding…

I love finding free hidden spots to camp in the woods…

I love surfing road trips with friends!

I still remember one of the first waves I ever caught… it was super tiny at Long Beach and all I could catch was the white wash. But it was still fun. And so the adventure began!

I DO NOT miss lining up for the ferry every weekend. Oh, if only I lived on the Island…

I love the sunsets off the back of the ferries on the way home… even though it never quite feels like I’m at home when I’m away from the wildness of the Pacific Ocean and Tofino.

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On a completely unrelated note, I just reserved my copy of Resident Evil 5 for the Xbox 360. YES! SO EXCITED!

Photo Credit: Capcom and Microsoft