Costa Rica has always been one of those destinations on every Canadian’s bucket list, its tropical, has a unique Spanish-influenced culture and for the young sports enthusiasts it is the ideal destination to chase waves. After a long winter of park laps on Ontario’s ice-ridden Niagara Escarpment myself and fellow rider Leslie Sparkes were drooling over the idea of margaritas, coconuts and surfer boys on white sand beaches.
Having grown up spending full summers on a lake in central Ontario I can count the number of times I have actually seen the ocean. That being said when we arrived I walked down to the beach carrying my giant long board thinking, this will be a piece of cake, I’ll be graduating to a 6’ board in no time. Ha. After front-rolling through about 50 waves wondering how the locals can stand up oh so effortlessly I gave up that dream pretty quickly. On a positive note I did manage to catch a couple small waves getting the infamous surf stoke.
The next day we were greeted by Canadian Pro rider Ashley Leugner who had been coaching at PACR earlier that week in La Fortuna. Reunited, we pounded back a few Imperials and set out in search of the ‘bros’, our new found friends from the big city of Vancouver and Toronto. They had conveniently booked a package complete with surf lessons from the local ‘fabio’ and were oh so gracious to share their tips with us. However, more than often they hadn’t actually received any, since fabio was pretty consumed with giving the best tips to the girls in their group wearing string bikinis.
Patio beers, delicious dinner and a few Tamarindo margaritas later, we headed out for bed so we could get up to ride high tide in the AM.
After a week of surfing, catamaran rides, Argentinean barbeque (which ultimately resulted in a full day ride on the porcelain train), Jonathan Turcotte of Paradise Adventures Costa Rica picked us up to head out to La Fortuna. Driving through the hills we watched the dry grass and smell of smoke slowly be replaced by clear volcanic streams flowing into Lake Arenal at the base of the Arenal Volcano. The Arenal Volcano is the 7th most active volcano in the world, we were actually able to see smoke rising out of it on numerous occasions.
We stayed at PACR where we met Sofia, who is a Costa Rican local. She showed us where to pick coco plants, and fed us white furry Guava fruit. I was pretty skeptical at first because it closely resembled a small hamster but it ended up being pretty darn good.
After a full day of zip lining, suspension bridges, rope swings and river lounging we prepped the boat to get out to the lake and ride. First sets of the season are always a little rusty but the lake worked its magic and we all got a few good hits in. You can never go wrong wakeboarding at the base of a Volcano. Overall it was an amazing trip, a special thanks to Jonny and Sofia for the great hospitality and teaching us the Pura Vida way.
Wakeboarders now have a place to stay on Lake Arenal at PACR wakesports location. Wakeboard on perfect lake conditions from sunrise to sunset, full moon sessions also available.
Come experience a memorable vacation experience of earth, water, wind and fire unlike any other.
The sixty five foot house boat (Rain Goddess) on Beautiful Lake Arenal at the base of the Arenal Volcano.
Total Privacy surrounded by nature, boat is secured in a quiet cove on the flattest water available on Lake Arenal. The dam protects the water bellow and the ramp allows you to enter the boat with ease.
This floating mansion comes equipped with 6 Air conditioned staterooms, 3 bathrooms, hot water, kitchen, BBQ , dining area for 24, 2 large patio and one giant roof top Patio.
The observation deck is great for wildlife, birds, monkeys, the Arenal Volcano, and relaxing.
The boat has 4 rooms that sleep 3 and another 3 that sleep 2. Rooms are equipped with large windows and Patio offering an amazing view of the Active Arenal Volcano.
Located 20 minutes from La Fortuna, public transportation, shuttles and Taxi service available.
Day and night cruises around the 33 mile Lake Arenal also available. You'll indulge in typical Costa Rican meals served in the main salon or on the casual roofed upper deck while cruising through the Arenal Volcano Lagoon.
The Rain Goddess will accommodate couples, families, groups, weddings and corporate retreats for a unique, memorable adventure. More on Accomodations
2011 was an EPIC year for wakeboarding in Costa Rica, PACR hosted 4 pro wakeboarders in and effort to spread wakeboard awareness and added a few new locations and adventures to our list of adrenalin filled activities and accommodations in Pura Vida Land.
Thanks for all the support from our new friends, Costa Rica, la Fortuna, Wakeology Wakeboards and the wakeboard world. 2012 has started off with plenty of sunshine and an influx in tourism to La Fortuna and more demand for wakeboarding and other stoke from PACR.
Allot is in the making for 2012 and will be surfacing over the upcoming months, be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for updates of who, what when and where.
Here a list of what's to come:
Wakeboard Company Team trips, pro clinics and Coaching, Photo and video shots and some surprise visits from some of the greats who've helped form the wakeboarding industry into one of the most popular water sport today.
Pro Wakeboard Event Details: April 16th, 2011 12:00pm – 4
Riders : Ashley Leugner, Erika Langman and Leslie Sparks. Oh Canada…oh yeah…
Location: Join us to witness some of the best wakeboarding ever performed from the newly discovered wakeboarding bliss; Lake Arenal, Costa Rica.
Meet and great : There will be BBQ and after Party at PACR's new office. 5:00 PM, 17:00
People can meet the riders, check out some new wakeboard equipment and kick it with the PACR Crew. Your support helps Paradise Adventures Costa Rica spread the awareness of this one of kind Wakeboard and Wakeskating experience.
Directions: Follow main road to Fortuna Waterfall 700 meters, across from Arenal Green
Hope to see you soon, Call (506)8856-3618, (506)2479-8159 SKYPE : paradiseadventures for more.
The PACR family is growing and more are joining us on our mission of putting wakeboarding in Costa Rica on the map. Many wakeboarders or wakeskaters would never consider wakeboarding or wakeskating in Costa Rica because they are unaware of where to do it, who to do it with.
PACR has a full range of wakeboard and wakeskate equipment for riders of all ages, shapes and sizes, boat equipped with Tower , Power, Ballast and a driver with many years of experience.
All of our customers leave fully stoked and satisfied, take a moment to read some testimonials for a better idea of what people are saying about the services PACR provides and the newly discovered wakeboarding bliss, Lake Arenal , Costa Rica. This above information is all that is needed when considering wakeboarding in Costa Rica, we are the real deal and are here to insure visitors to Paradise experience this one of kind opportunity.
The growth of the PACR Family had us searching for a new location so we can expand into the company we are destined to become. PACR has been in business for over 5 years and the determination, dedication and belief of the crew is finally showing results. There are many places to stay during your visit to Costa Rica and the Fortuna area and we believe in taking care of our visitors by offering them everything they need. Once the trust is formed, not worrying about where to stay, eat and so on turns your trip in an actual vacation.
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A tour office dedicated to providing travelers with information on all the exiting activities and adventures found in the Fortuna area and throughout Cost Rica. Private tour guides are also available, their expertise will help save you money, find what it is your looking for , keep you safe and translate.
The new tour office is located on main road to waterfall, follow signs to Fortuna waterfall, you cannot miss it.
Paradise Adventures Costa Rica is a tour company that specializes in wakeboarding, wakeskating, surfing and a variety of different tours throughout Costa Rica.
PACR is growing quickly and with that growth we have added additional services and adventures that we are stoked to share with you, your group or family. Here is a list of some of the new experiences available :
Rafting, zip lining, horseback, kayaking, boat tours on the 33 mile Lake Arenal, night time lava tours, ATV, natural hot springs, surf trips, Bungee Jumping, Repelling down waterfalls, fishing and transportation services.
Includes Lodging at for 7 Nights at Cabinas La Cataratas
Wakeology is still proving they are company that is in it to stay; the boards from 2010 are shredding lakes and cable parks all over the world. The growth of their wake army and success of the riders is creating even more popularity in the wakeboard industry.
New to the team is Dane Goodwin, Dane is a 22 year old exercise physiology buff with a major, understanding the bodies capabilities , effects of exercise and tapping into the a level many are un aware of. Some studies prove exercise can reduce and even reverse disease progression; Dane has been proving these concepts on a wakeboard, snowboard and on the field. (Football)
You can catch Dane tearing it up on a Wakeology set up on White Lake, North Carolina. Dane is a technical rider who researches and understands the science behind some of the most difficult tricks and mastering them. Dane is physically and mentally prepared to throw down some gnar , this brother is full of stoke and just itchin to bust out some technical style wakeboarding on ya’ll. Welcome to the team bro, we look forward to the day you and the rest of the Wakeology crew ride with PACR from one of the most amazing lake on the Planet, keep the stoke !…
I can tell you that 2011 is going to be even more proof that Wakeology Wakeboards is a force to be recon with, try out some of their product to seal the deal, Wakeology has been providing solid product to many wakeboarders and I have yet to hear any complaints.
Paradise Adventures Costa Rica is jacked to be a part of the Wakeology team, our customers are satisfied and tearing it up on Lake Arenal on Wakeology set ups. Wakeology Wakeboards and Wakeboard boots are available to buy and try through PACR.
Lessons and coaching with CWB's Diamond Rider Raequel Hoffman
Hoffman is super stoked to share her expertise with other wakeboarders from one of the most amazing fresh water lakes on the planet. Raequels first shred session on Lake Arenal was awesome, plenty of sun, flat waters and clear Volcano; she is the first I've seen stomp a "whirly bird" at the base of the active Arenal Volcano.
Rae's style is clean and consistent, with a wide variety of verts, spins and grabs, I have never seen someone so comfortable on a board, she truly is in her element out there and there no doubts she can help you find yours.
We will be posting videos and pictures of the upcoming clinics and lucky customers who get to experience them, as well as ride days and other adventures with Raequel and PACR.
If you have any question for this Cali girl you can hit her up on Facebook.
Rae's been there and done that, here is a list of adventures and activities shes experienced in her first week: Wakeboarding, Horseback Riding, ATV, Hot Springs, Waterfalls, Hiking, Zip-Lining, Surfing, soccer with some locals and even witnessed her first Costa Rican Rodeo., yehaaa Rae, your doing it PACR styles; with adrenalin and fun.
Using the most popular social networking tools to insure those interested in Wakeboarding and the many other adrenalin filled adventures throughout Costa Rica receive the details they need to get some
