WIND SURFING / KITE SURFING in Costa Rica

The WESTERN (Tilaran) end of LAKE ARENAL in Costa Rica offers worldclass WINDSURFING / KITESURFING (WIND SURFING / KITE SURFING) comparable to Italy's Lake Garda & the Columbia River Gorge & has several windsurfing operations. It has been classified by experts & champions of this discipline as "one of the 5 best spots in the world to practice windsurfing." (http://TicoWind.com/CostaRica/arenal_windandwater.htm said it's because of "easterly trade winds blowing across the Caribbean are reinforced by the strong north-easterly flow from the Gulf of Mexico. The winds are funneled through the mountains of northern Costa Rica & reach maximum strength at the western end of the lake" - where they are located). The regularity, speed & intensity of the winds found here are ideal to practice this sport, especially for beginners (http://groups.google.com/group/tomrosenbergerauthor/web/adventure-water-sports?pli=1)

OTHER POPULAR AREAS &/OR GOOD FOR EXPERIENCED SURFERS:

Across the bay from Nicaragua - Bahia Salinas (Playa Copal - http://KiteWindSurf.com/store/faq.aspx) with calm, 80º water & side-shore winds - ideal conditions & comparable to that of Lake Arenal makeing it the 2nd-best spot in CR.

Puerto Soley - also near the border with Nicaragua

Bahia Bolanos/Bolanos Bay

Playa Rajada

Playa Panamá

Playa Hermosa

Playas del Coco

LESS EXPERIENCED SURFERS:

Golfo de Papagayo with calm waters & less intense wind (equipment for rent here).

WINDSURFING / KITESURFING SEASON:

December-April (I’ve also seen it starts Mid-November & the BEST BEST TIME is Dec.-Feb.)

INFO:

http://Sabalito.com/Sports/WK.htm

http://CostaRicaNet.net/windsurfing

http://CostaRicaHotels.com/windsurfing

EQUIPMENT/CENTERS/RENTALS (& ACCOMMODATIONS):

Tico Wind - Located in Tilaran/Sabatillo

(http://TicoWind.com / 2-692-2002 / 8-813-7274 / Skype-TicoWind99 / info@TicoWind.com)

Seems like HOTEL TILAWA, Windsurf Center, Brew Pub, Restaurant, Skate Park, Tennis Courts, on-premise Mountain Biking Trails, Birdwatching & Hot Springs Spa is THE place to stay with their own center for equipment rentals & Lessons & the surfing is GOOD there - just outside their doors!!

(http://CostaRicaKiteboarding.com / http://WindSurfCostaRica.com / http://hotel-tilawa.com / 2-695-5050 / Kite@hotel-tilawa.com)