New Watersport in Costa Rica

Standing + Paddling

A Balancing Act on the Sea

Walking on water is a feat reserved for Jesus Christ Lizards, the son of God and anyone that’s mastered the newest fad in the water sports, a cross between ocean kayaking and surfing known as SUP. What’s SUP? ‘Stand Up Paddling’, a rewarding mid-ocean workout atop a buoyant long board.

I had the pleasure of trying out this hybrid sport in Nosara, one of Costa Rica’s many surf meccas, that has been rounding up offbeat adventure seekers for quite some time. While many come and go, the ones who stay convert their hobbies into careers. Spencer Klein, formerly the personal assistant to Jack Johnson, has been offering SUP tours for more than six months in the region. For the moment, he stands alone.

“In a year, there will be 15 other companies offering this in Nosara,” the foresighted instructor said. Not used to your conventional work situation, Spencer found a niche in nature-oriented tours. He started his own company, Experience Nosara, offering kayak and hiking tours as well as multi-day surf excursions to some of the best spots in the country.
In my first lesson, Spencer’s advice was all too encouraging: “You will fall 10 to 15 times before you get it right”. More out of fear of falling than talent, I earned the title of “natural”, keeping it to three spills, mainly from loss of concentration when I’d pan the shoreline for my boyfriend who was left in my wake.

In my first attempt, I wiggled my way on to the board before assuming the crouching dog position. Up to my knees and then foot by foot I was standing on wobbly legs. Like a proud Ngobe chief, I rowed my board slowly, eyes glued on the horizon. The learning process evokes tightened muscles that amount to a full body conditioning work-out. Once you get past the fear of falling, it is truly a Zen-filled experience, minus the beginners’ ache in my arms.

After our three hour lesson, we returned to the beach, failing to upgrade to paddle surfing. I felt like I had earned my way into some kind of secret club. A club of ‘people in the know’ like Pierce Bronson, Matt McCaughnehey and Jennifer Gardner – all SUP veterans.

Spencer has led tours of people from age five to 78. Some are looking to explore and others for a good workout, or a new way to fly fish. “I think it’s those people who are interested in getting out on the water but haven’t found their calling in any other ocean sports,” Spencer said. “My wife never really got into surfing, but when she tried stand up paddling, I would watch her paddle miles on end with a pregnant belly.”

The sport originated in the 50s or 60s with Hawaiian surf instructors known as The Beach Boys. They’d stand up on long boards and propelled by outrigger canoe paddles to keep an eye on the waves and large classes. “It saw a quick resurgence in Hawaii about a decade ago, and now you can read about Jennifer Aniston and Julia Roberts paddling on Time.com,” Spencer said.

If there is a place for the sport to really take on, Nosara is it. The healthy lifestyle ambiance is contagious, and the variety of beaches appeal to the equally varied SUP fans. As I returned to the juice bar at the eco-friendly Harmony Hotel, I opted for a Mango-Cucumber-Cilantro smoothie over an Imperial and started plotting my next boarding adventure to the region.

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Super cómodo, rodeado de naturaleza y cerca de hermosas playas

Lucretia
5star rating
July 31, 2021
Si buscan un lugar privado, super cómodo, rodeado de naturaleza y cerca de hermosas playas, este es el lugar. Esperamos volver pronto.

La casa es un lugar super bonito (muy privado y…

Kenneth (review from Airbnb)
5star rating
March 14, 2021
La casa es un lugar super bonito (muy privado y seguro), la pasamos super bien y tuvimos muy buena comunicacion con los administradores.

The Casita Quetzal is a brand new house in a…

Carlo (review from Airbnb)
5star rating
March 18, 2023
The Casita Quetzal is a brand new house in a very quiet area 7 minute’ walk from Parque Marino Ballena. The pool is lovely and overall we enjoyed our week vacation very much. Highly recommended!Response:Thanks Carlo! It was a pleasure to Host you...

Nice property and friendly staff

Rolando V. (review from Vrbo)
5star rating
August 24, 2022
The staff was super friendly and the property was well maintained.

A phenomenal time in Costa Rica thanks to Osa Property Management!

Buehler Family
5star rating
January 10, 2023
Thanks to Ronny and the Osa Property Management team, our family had a trip of a lifetime. Osa booked all of our tours/excursions including transportation and it could not have went better. In addition, they were there to book restaurant reserv...

Great villa and great service by Cristian and Steven. Many…

Ingo (review from Airbnb)
5star rating
January 10, 2023
Great villa and great service by Cristian and Steven. Many thanks!Response:Thanks Ingo! It was a pleasure to host you. Osa Property Management / Costa Rica Las Villas

The location was top and met our expectations. Very well…

Alexandros (review from Airbnb)
5star rating
March 30, 2023
The location was top and met our expectations. Very well designed, clean remote and quite. Communication with the hosts was quick and easy. Would definitely consider staying againResponse:Thanks Alexandros! It was a pleasure to host you. We hop...

Casa Cusinga

Anonymous (review from Vrbo)
5star rating
January 2, 2016
I'll said this is an amazing place to stay. You can relax and be in touch with the nature.Deluxe house with all amenities, help you to not worry about anything else, just chill and enjoy.100% recommended

Fantastique

Steve L. (review from Vrbo)
5star rating
January 9, 2023
La place est fantastique avec une vue exceptionnelle, la piscine est bien située pour bien voir nos enfants qui ce baignes.A retourner n’importe quand!!!

Great place for families

Lisle H
5star rating
February 26, 2021
We enjoyed the space and how each of us had our own private rooms with privacy. The views where amazing and the home had everything we needed.

Excelente lugar, una vista impresionante, la piscina excelente, en general…

David (review from Airbnb)
5star rating
January 23, 2023
Excelente lugar, una vista impresionante, la piscina excelente, en general muy bien, volveríamos a esta casa definitivamente.Response:Muchas gracias David! Nos vemos pronoto! Osa Property Management / Costa Rica Las Villas

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Place is absolutely amazing! It was comfortable and very well…

Barbie (review from Airbnb)
5star rating
December 12, 2021
Place is absolutely amazing! It was comfortable and very well tended too.We loved this property and spent a lot of time there. Management company is great they respond rapidly to any and all concerns.

Great place, amazing views. Definitely would recommend to anyone.Response:Thanks Jeffry!…

Jeffry (review from Airbnb)
5star rating
January 13, 2020
Great place, amazing views. Definitely would recommend to anyone.Response:Thanks Jeffry! It was a pleasure hosting you. We hope to see you again.

Next Level Home

Rebecca C
5star rating
May 12, 2021
This contemporary home checks all the boxes needed for a luxurious Costa Rican vacation. Home is so well thought out with views from every single room; even the commode rooms have views! Beds are comfortable. Kitchen is well appointed. Pool and ho...

Bonsoir,Très belle propriété, mais pouvez-vous juste changer dans l’annonce » 4×4…

Fabienne (review from Airbnb)
5star rating
January 3, 2022
Bonsoir,Très belle propriété, mais pouvez-vous juste changer dans l’annonce » 4x4 recommandé «  c’est obligatoire nous avons dû changer de voiture.Sinon très belle maison, bel espace c’était top 👍 Merci à toute votre équipe et votre disponibilité ...

This property is brand new! The property itself as well…

Angie (review from Airbnb)
5star rating
January 23, 2023
This property is brand new! The property itself as well as all furniture and appliances are new. The house is very spacious, open, with lots of light. The kitchen lovely , clean and has all you can think of from a kitchen. The house has fans and a...

Amazing

Michelle F. (review from Vrbo)
5star rating
August 31, 2022
This home, the views, and the wildlife interactions create an experience like no other. The home offers comfort in every aspect , and Ifeatures a modern design with high end features throughout. You are actually in the jungle and can hear ...

Felt like an estate

James
5star rating
January 20, 2020
The property is large - several acres at least. Plenty of parking. The home is older, but large, with plenty of new furnishings and ample ocean view deck and patio space. The pool area has a covered entertainment area that we really enjoyed.

Superbe propriété, neuve, spacieuse

daniel d. (review from Vrbo)
4star rating
November 30, 2022
Vue exceptionnelle

Diseño de la casa, comodidad, atención y ubicación.

Claudia A
5star rating
June 28, 2020
Diseño de la casa, comodidad, atención y ubicación.

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Oscar (review from Airbnb)
5star rating
January 2, 2022
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What a wonderful house. Great location. Very secure.. All the…

Kara (review from Airbnb)
5star rating
April 16, 2021
What a wonderful house. Great location. Very secure.. All the amenities. Quick responses and clear communication. We were pleasantly surprised and wish we had booked this house for our entire trip. Thanks again. We will be back!!

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