One day on the best waves

By Gamma George

On the northwest corner of Costa Rica there are two world-class surfing sites, which isolated and enigmatics, stand apart as an inescapable challenge for all those who are anxious to release adrenaline by climbing on the waves.

Those places, called Witch's Rock and 0llie's Point, in the waters surrounding the Santa Rosa National Park in Guanacaste, can only be reached by the sea, usually with Playas del Coco as its base station.

Both places have been the setting for famous movies and multiple documentaries and this was the site recently chosen by Tavik, for a photo shoot for its next campaign.

It all happened more or less like this: Tavik (the famous Californian surfing brand), connected Gama (the outstanding surfer), who connected Diego (the prestigious photographer), who then contacted Nico (and his luxurious yacht El Aguila), who gathered its crew, prepared everything, started the motors and guided the group to its highly anticipated destination.

The following story was born from the pen of Gamma, a Puerto Rican who lives and breathes surfing. In the following story he describes for us his experience at those formidable sites and without intending to, he offers us an allegory to the "Pura Vida", as seen through the eyes of this passionate rider of waves.

6:a.m.: Everyone ready on the cool yacht El Aguila. All the boards, water, juices, fruits, food, surfers, crew and guests are aboard. Everything is checked and we depart on the way to the waves. Everyone very comfortable, the girls on the bow sunning themselves and very cool music playing. What else could I ask? Well something else came... on our way a couple of humpbacks came close to say hello.

7:a.m.:We arrived at Roca Bruja (Witchs Rock) and we were all pumpiados for surf. We ran into some locals and to the water!! To start hitting the Witch. All the locals were on fire, hitting it hard, doing aerials all over the place. Our group was not lagging behind and quickly caught up... giving it some rights and throwing their keels over the lip.

And the pictures that we came to get, started coming out, one after the other. After a couple of hours, we said good bye to the Witch and flew to find out what surprises 0llie's Point had prepares for us.

10 a.m.: When we arrived at 0llies we found perfect conditions. Totally clean (no one in the water).The Aguila had not even stopped yet and the boys and I could not refrain from jumping into the water.

When Mario jumped, I went right behind and right away a good set of waves popped up, not so large but perfect to get going. It wasn't a minute later and a better set came up. Mario goes on the first and I go on the second and we both rode until the shore itself.We looked at each other and had the same thought "This is going to be super fun".

After a few seconds, the rest of the crew started arriving. Poor 0llie's, with a total lack of respect we began to kill it as soon as we got there. None of waves went alone, there was always someone to hit it down. Aerials, double grabs, backside floaters, 360 airs and all with lot of speed.

Our photographer, holding his own and me having one of the best sections in Costa Rica, with a good group of local surfers, that same as me were on the same vibe, enjoying the ocean the best way we know: Surfing it.

While on the way back towards Playas del Coco, we caught a tuna fish and just like that, raw, with a bit of Salsa Lizano, we seasoned our way back. Entering the Bay of Coco, we were all on the tower of El Aguila when the trip gave us a last present. At some 200 meters, a humpback whale jumped very high, falling with an immense splash of water... as a finale for the trip, it was super cool !!!

As a professional of the surf, I have been able to travel to hundreds of sites all over the world, but what had been expected to be another photo shoot, turned out to be one of my best experiences on the ocean.

Definetely... PURA VIDA Costa Rica!!!!

Roca Bruja: (Witchs Rock)

0llie's is a super perfect right break point . Most of the time it has buenos vientos (good winds) and it works equally in low tide. The bottom starts on rocks and quickly comes to the sand. It coasts near the shore and is quite fast. It's like a skating park. Most of the times the waves are alike. Nearby is Laberinto, which is only for more daring surfers.

This wave is heavy from the right. Not just any surfer can do it. The bottom is pure rock and ends on a cliff with no exit. Much water and the drops are frightful.Then a wall of water and one really has to put the board to work. When you pass that section you can breathe and give a lip anyway you want.

Ollies Point (+ Laberinto):

The view at Roca Bruja is very impressing. With the rock behind you, and the Santa Rosa Park in front, this is one of the best views I have seen in Costa Rica. Roca Bruja is a beach break with many frames, all with a soft sand background which makes it friendly even for beginners. It needs offshores winds and it is usually very consistent.

It throws some perfect tubos for both sides, mostly with way out. During high tide it is a little slower but when it dries, it is super fast.The best tide is halfway: 2 hours before or 2 hours after any tide.