Christophe Jean Charles has been roaming the waters in Playa Guiones seeking the biggest and best set waves for decades. He is one of the fastest paddling surfers in most any lineup and although not huge in size, he is huge in personality, opinions and aggression taking on a big set wave.
In this Nosara Podcast episode, we learn how Christophe figured out how to base his life around surfing since he was very young and up into this present day as he nears 60 years old. He shares ideas of segmenting beaches to help alleviate crowds, a good bit about what life in Nosara was like back in the day compared to now, discusses how not everything is bad, life has a way of balancing things out and although uncomfortable there is a way. At the same time the good old, opinionated Christophe shares a bunch of opinions and fusses at Rich about a couple things. Is a fun conversation and I’m grateful to Christophe for coming in.
Here’s recap of our conversation:
Intro: Rich thanks Christophe for always surfing on big days when weather bad & complains about C paddles fast.
1: Started surfing at 9 didn’t want to do office. Invented life around surfing
2: Pulled it off! Rich asks day job C says did & does all kinds of things from body therapy & is naturopath, being a builder he is on 7th house in Nosara.
3: Rich asks what’s life in Arenales 20 years ago to today. C references panthers, animals, & construction happening and not going to stop
4: R asks how C wrestling with the pros cons of development. C says road being paved is good
5: C says #1 thing is life getting better for the Tico populace and for him that is number 1
6: R asks about crowds & says Guiones been crowded with residents since 09.. Today though many new people don’t surf.
7: C says understand’s R position & how a realstater needs to find a way to bring people in (this is super incorrect by the way, Nosara super popular)
8: C upset tax $ not coming back from Nicoya. Why doesn’t government reinvest for the young people in Nosara?
9: Rich explains needs census to solve issue because on public records Nosara is much smaller than it really is. So we need to prove our size
10: R explains expat community able to take care of itself but Emmanuel from Desarrollo de Alianza says if we get census we can start the plebiscite process of breaking away from Nicoya.
11: C would like to get lights at the airport. He explains French version of US is imperialist trash type version. C says living in Nosara was first time he saw organization of trash & R is often helping community.
12: R agrees Nosara is special in this regard. When times get bad people come together.
Surf talk: C says when waves are too small the good surfers should get out & let beginners have at it. Then C says we should have sections for different levels at different spots. Surf Schools, beginners, intermediates and advances. C says crowds are dangerous and how he got hit in the ribs by a longboardiing beginner.
14: R asks how the flag system worked in France? C says 6 flags
15: C says we have to separate beginners from the advanced we don’t need surf instructors pushing people into crowds. R asks how this system would work… C shares ideas about how to implement
16: R asks C favorite waves to surf. C definitely one of his favorites. Rich remembers losing a surf contest to C at Ostional in 2010.
17: R asks about secrecy of Ostional because back in day it was a secret. R says no more secrets everyone knows about Ostional, but what about other spots?
18: C says it’s good someone from Surfing Nosara is asking this question because him Surfing Nosara symbolized the beginning of the end for Nosara’s glory years.
18: C says surfers not the smartest people and surfing individualistic and ego filled. C says he has lots of ego and if you know about a wave somewhere just don’t share it. Don’t talk about it.
19: Surfing bigger than it’s ever been. C says 20 years ago there was still room in the water. He’s saying it’s over we have to adapt.
20: R says likes C’s proactive thought about crowds but strongly disagrees about people forgetting a spot or just staying quiet is a strong solution. R says plant trees help locals and develop in a nice way.
21: C says that’s American way and paternalist and instead of getting involved with Ostional people just leave them alone. They are doing great and town is the same now as has been for many decades.
22: R respects C’s opinion & good for yesterday and today, but strongly disagrees for the future because people are coming. R references Beverly Kitson’s quote about development and R is concerned the local kids don’t have education and skill sets to work at the higher level jobs and it isn’t fair
23: C points out San Juanillo growing & people electing to live there.
24: C says leave Ostional alone a bit more but acknowledges future inevitable.
25: R asks for septic solutions and also points out supply demand situation. C says doesn’t have all the solutions
26: C says construction should be revised by the authorities for quality, the water situation should be addressed. R asks what areas are going to be the best in 10 years?
27: C explains the outer areas about 15 to 20 minutes away from everything is how he feels the future will be for the best.
28: R explains supply and demand curve has adjusted and he can’t afford to live or invest in prime area of Pelada or Guiones, even though his day job is selling real estate in the highest end locations. R says thinks about every day how if he’s struggling then how about the local kids who are trying to find a way to make it here?
29: C Reminds R things change and its good for the Tico. C says the more development the cheaper things will be for Ticos. He give bread example from 10 years ago and sees balance. R struggles with the positivity from C.
30: C says human beings by nature will share and cooperate but it takes times for things to balance out. R is happy to listen to C’s thoughts and celebrates the value of long form conversation and hearing people out.
31: R falls back into losing hope about surfing crowds. Surfing only more popular, internet changed everything. C says there will be something, it is a question of time, patience and working together.
32: R says he feels water crowded since arrival in 2009 & it was shocking to him how same people there every day. R compares former life in FL to Nosara and after getting to know everyone the surprise and frustration transitioned into liking the vibe, people, seeing C split a peak (inside joke).
33: R complains about paddling out & new people taking off. Outside of this the people who live here are pretty cool and things are good. C says now young Ticos, tourists, everyone can surf and it’s not like it used to be where only a couple people could surf.
34: New generation of people are combined with the older folks and rules and regulations of lineup. C says R arrived a bit older into an atmosphere of people with more experience… Wheras today that is gone. There’s young locals and tourists.
35: C says we have to find balance. Maybe it’s time for next generation to step up. But stay in shape, paddle hard and show these young kids you still have it so don’t miss your wave.
36: R asks C why is he getting nicer and stuff? C says he’s getting beat up by the ocean and can’t take it as much anymore. R says Nosara too small and weak for his ability and thought went to Bali for that reason.
37: C trying to lower expectations into what’s coming and realizes he’s on the downturn in age and physical abilities
38: R asks what 3 favorite restaurants are in the area. C explains his favorites at Bistrot, Celajes, Malacrianza
39: R asks if anything wasn’t to share while has the platform: C answers saying he wants to apologize to anyone he’s yelled at in lineup, but that’s it