If you’re not already aware, the Nosara Civic Association is a massive reason our town is what it is today.
In fact, everyone involved in Nosara owes a massive ‘thank you’ to the warriors who fought for and maintained the parklands interrupting our community. They are the reason the Playas de Nosara is free of large scale development and completely unique amongst most every beach town in the world.
However, many would argue we are currently at a tipping point as Nosara’s popularity is skyrocketing and well heeled buyers are arriving unlike anytime before.
Along with growth comes growing pains; and we are certainly having them.
Ethel Araya (most everyone calls her Kuki) is the current President of the Nosara Civic Association and doing an outstanding job. She recently came by for a conversation and provided a complete update on some of the most pressing matters concerning our community.
Most everyone around Guiones has already noticed the influx of a new brand of surfboard many of the locals are starting to ride… Storm Surfboards shaped by ‘Wild Bill’ who is originally from Florida. Bill is not someone you automatically assume to be a talented shaper when you first talk to him. He is actually pretty shy at the very first part of your relationship, but once you get to know him and he finds out your passionate about surfboards then he completely opens up. Bill is not your ordinary shaper by any means. He does not care about aesthetics or looking ‘cool’ per se or following the latest cutting edge board off some major manufacturer. Bill 100% understands functionality and fun are the main focus and builds boards for people accordingly.
Bill moved to Costa Rica full time a couple years ago but stayed very quiet about his shaping prowess until he learned the town, it’s people and the waves. Over the past 6 months or so he’s been dropping boards in the hands of local Tico’s in Guiones then on over to some of us gringos. The proof is in the waves as some locals like Chico Lopez have seen significant improvement since becoming a Storm board rider.
Several other folks are joining as well:
Luigi from Nosara Tico Surf School
Steven N is always ripping
Mr. Federico Prisco all the way from Italy is on a Storm now!
After becoming friends with Bill he asked me why he only saw me riding longboards in Guiones. I explained to him how I truly love riding shortboards but I have an extreme dislike of sinking or riding a shortboard in waves which you can not actually perform (AKA Guiones 90+% of the time if you’re 6’3″ and well over 200 pounds). Bill asked me if I’d try one of his boards out if he shaped me one and explained how he had a shape in mind he thought would work for me. Of course I happily obliged and jokingly said I’d love to find a ‘daily’ shortboard for Guiones style waves (soft and crowded). This is especially applicable for Guiones’ rainy season (May – Oct) when the waves are too choppy and not clean enough to really enjoy noseriding but they do have some more power and with the right timing and equipment some good wakata’s (Guiones slang for off the lip) and turns can be had.
At this point I thought Bill was a nice guy and all but by no means did I expect to truly love the board and ride it the majority of the time. As I type this towards the end of October 2018 I’ve only been riding my Storm for the past 60 days or so. Bill shaped me a fish with a quad fin set up I 100% did not expect to work… But it did.
This was my first real turn on a Storm
I love 360’s. I only land them some of the time, but I always have fun trying.
If you’re interested in getting a custom shaped board from Bill I strongly recommend it. He is truly doing it for the love of it and enjoys the happiness his shapes bring far more than any monetary value. That being said… Always support your local shapers!!!
You can check out a couple waves from Chico Lopez, Nelson Acosta, and myself riding a Storm from a rare sunny day early October 2018:
‘The changing of the seasons is one of the best things about living in Nosara.’
The above quote is something I say a great deal. What I need to add to this statement is that by the end of the season (whether dry or wet) we’re ready for the change to happen. Like now.
As I type this mid October 2018 we are experiencing our 2nd flood of the month. People have been evacuated from their homes and emergency shelters are supplying food and a dry spot to sleep for the many victims of the flood. As usual in Nosara, people are coming together from most every business and area to help others with significant amounts of food, clothing, personal hygiene products, financial assistance, etc.
For those who may not be aware of our seasons: From November through April we have our dry season and May through October is the wet season. September and October are the heaviest months for rain historically and most of the tourist businesses take their much needed breaks and vacations this time of year. Unfortunately, this year there has been a lot of rain in Hojancha which is where the Rio Nosara starts and it has been highly problematic for low areas particularly in Nosara town.
Many thanks to everyone donating towards and helping with the Nosara flood relief efforts!!!
