Category: Costa Rica

In one of our recent beach episodes we sat down with Maikol from Nosara CR Surf School. We had a really candid conversation in which he didn’t held back. From his path to becoming a businessowner and his opinion on the importance of communication, positively approaching people and much, much more! See the full interview here below: It contains both parts in Spanish and English:

Some of the topics:

• Maikol’s introduction and how he started surfing at a young age through the Kids Camps;
• His background, coming from Nosara where his parents were farmers;
• How he choose a surfing lifestyle against his family’s expectations and initial approval;
• How meeting mentors and the influence of good people around him helped him get clear goals and a vision which ultimately led to starting Nosara CR Surf School;

• Maikol is grateful for all the people who have helped him along the way and big shout out to Luigi from NosaraTico where he learned English and started giving surf lessons;
• We transition into surf talk:
  • Initially surfed shortboard later transitioned to longboard;
  • Explains the difference in experience between shortboard and longboard surfing;
  • Expresses appreciation for the connection and enjoyment found in longboarding;
• Career Growth and Transition to Nosara Businessowner:
  • Acknowledges Luigi and others who helped him along the way;
  • Initially faced challenges, started with a small place and a few old surfboards;
  • Mentions Greg and Courtney, individuals who supported and inspired him;
  • Describes the evolution of Nosara over the years and the growth of his business;
• Building Confidence Through Surfing:
  • Highlights the importance of instilling confidence in surfers and how this translates into his work as a surf teacher;
  • Describes the satisfaction of helping people overcome fears and enjoy surfing;
  • Encourages those new to surfing to take lessons for a safe and enjoyable experience;
• Maikol shares his vision on Nosara’s growth, development and preservation:
  • Advocates for unity and collaboration within the community;
  • Discusses the impact of new developments, including larger houses, in Nosara;
  • Suggests approaching wealthy newcomers positively, instead of the current negative approach;
  • He encourages spreading awareness to current residents and newcomers for them to contribute to community projects as they are the solution to many of our town’s issues;
  • Maikol shares his personal experiences of community support, such as organizing events for local kids;
  • Expresses concern about the changing landscape of Nosara;
  • Advocates for collaboration, inclusivity, and channeling resources to benefit the community;
  • Urges people to focus on positive engagement rather than criticism to maintain the town’s essence;

• Maikol emphasizes the importance of unity and mutual respect among locals and visitors in the community. He encourages everyone to support each other, fostering a positive environment;
• He expresses a desire for a positive surfing culture, where locals and visitors can coexist harmoniously. He advocates for communication and constructive feedback instead of confrontation in surfing situations;
• Discussion of the economic disparities in Nosara;
• We discuss the condition of roads, traffic, and the need for better infrastructure, especially in emergency situations. The speaker highlights the importance of addressing these issues for the safety and well-being of the community;
• Maikol shares some of his personal preferences, such as his favorite months for surfing, favorite surfboards, and favorite local restaurants;
• He also tells us more about his competitive surfing, including his achievements and future plans. He hopes for community support for surfers representing Nosara;
• Maikol is believer in the the positive aspects of cultural exchange between locals and tourists. He encourages understanding and cooperation, noting that both locals and visitors can learn from each other.