Kneeboard Surfing USA Community Forum

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

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

When are we going Greg?

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??

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......

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

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

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!!!!

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

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...

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

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.

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

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.