Pavones 6/16 - 6/30 (got a board question)

ocean7847 · Post by **ocean7847** » Sat May 26, 2007 11:19 am

Going to costa rica (yes, the touristy central american country) because I'm going to pavones, where I've never been but have heard good things. Going with a standup buddy of mine and we'll be all over the country, but we're certainly spending time at pavones. He's leading me around as he has the place wired and knows a bunch of people.

Anyone kneeloed it before? what kind of wave is it (besides ridiculously long left point, which yes, i've heard before).

i'll be bringing two boards - one standup and one kneeboard. Thinking about bringing a parkes quad, but not sure if thats the wrong board. What kind of board would you bring with you down there.

I am very stoked to go, i've been watching that youtube clip imagining myself in a warm water barrel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv_OKSmoWyM

thanks for any tips

Greg Little · Post by **Greg Little** » Sat May 26, 2007 11:48 am

Ocean,
Iv'e been down there along time ago. 15 years +. I'm sure the waves are the same, but I here the the small village is now a town. Depending on the swell angle, it can be a fun skatepark like wave with some hollow sections. And not to metion, you can ride this wave for ever. At the time I was riding a 6'0 swallow tail. It worked great. Back then there was only a bar with four rooms above it to rent, and when the waves were on you would ride them for amost a mile. Get out walk back up the point and have a shot of the local booze (quaro) and then paddle back out. If you caught 5 waves you had a GREAT session. One wave at Pavones is like 20 waves at home.
Greg

Mike Fernandez · Post by **Mike Fernandez** » Sat May 26, 2007 2:02 pm

When are we going Greg?

ocean7847 · Post by **ocean7847** » Sat May 26, 2007 2:53 pm

ok, i guess i'll check swell before making a final board decision. i wanted to bring a kneeboard because i figure those left barrels for so long would be great on a relaxed kneelo session after standup for so long. it'll work out i hope. any other kneelos in Costa that time??

skansand · Post by **skansand** » Sat May 26, 2007 4:06 pm

quaro = sugarcane + nitroglycerin? According to Robert August..... one day ill get down to Costa Rica and ride Salsa Brava (brave sauce)....the Gnarly slab on the east-coast... i recomend reading "in search of captain zero" by Alan C weisbecker......

Mike Fernandez · Post by **Mike Fernandez** » Sat May 26, 2007 5:17 pm

I read that a few years ago Matt, what a trip huh

W.G. Facenda · Post by **W.G. Facenda** » Sat May 26, 2007 8:26 pm

STayed at Pavones for a week in 1986. It's like 4 Malibu's in line going left. Aim for a low tide too. There were six guys there besides us ....I think it is a little more crowded now...Low tide and double overhead and

gene west · Post by **gene west** » Sat May 26, 2007 8:44 pm

ocean- I've been down there a few times-I reccomend a fish...quadfin if possible...the wave is so long and with a quad you'll get extra speed out of it when you pump down the wall...low tide it gets very fast and hollow....enjoy!!!!

evans · Post by **evans** » Sun May 27, 2007 5:26 pm

I'm going back down there in July. Pavones is super fun, and super crowded when there is swell. There is a hollow section that no one makes by the river mouth and is a good place to hang out and cherrypick when it is crowded. Cheers

skansand · Post by **skansand** » Sun May 27, 2007 5:46 pm

mike-
His other book "cosmic banditos" is the BIGGEST trip.. i hear hes due to release a new book too...

they almost made "in search of captain zero" a movie starring sean penn...but i dont know what happened...

Jimbo · Post by **Jimbo** » Sun May 27, 2007 8:43 pm

Reed - I think you already have the ultimate tool!!!

Mark Ramirez · Post by **Mark Ramirez** » Sun May 27, 2007 8:44 pm

Ocean, Pavones is a left pointbreak that when all the sections connect together, it is one of the longest waves on the planet. Imagine surfing a wave until your body is so tired it hurts....well, that's Pavones. These are waves that require fast surf along a wall, so you are not going to be doing too may cutbacks, you'll be accelerating all the time. The wave needs big south swells and can be ridden at a mid tide rising, the wave opens up more. It can hold up to 15' faces, But everyone surfs here when it's on so, it gets very crowded._________Mark.

Greg Little · Post by **Greg Little** » Mon May 28, 2007 10:37 am

Matt
So that explains why my shot glass popped

when I put a flame to it.

Went to La Salsa Brava to, it is a super fickle wave, and only breaks a few times a year. But the local rastas are are very hospitable (wink, wink)
And Mike
I'm not going to Costa anytime soon, its TOO CROWDED

My next trip is in August, to a secret spot. I think you and Backer might see me

Then its off to Phillip Island, or salvador in september. I'm not sure were yet.
Greg

stemple · Post by **stemple** » Tue May 29, 2007 10:09 am

If Pavones is anything like the long points in Peru, I think Mark is onto the right type of board. I tried short fatter vs longer and narrow boards in those types of waves. Faster is better was my conclusion, sometimes you need to pump and go to make a section on these long point waves. Its sucks to miss the section and watch the wave peel for another 300 yards!!. I would take your fastest down the line board. It may paddle better too for those long paddles back up.