Today is Día Nacional del Surf (National Surf Day) in Costa Rica, a day considered by law as of public interest for its tourist, economic and sports importance, to be celebrated, starting this year, every third Saturday in October.
President Carlos Alvarado, met with surfers on Friday in Playa Hermosa (Puntarenas, south of Jaco) where he signed the “Ley de Declaración de interés público de la práctica y el desarrollo del surf como una actividad de importancia turística, económica y deportiva y declaratoria del Día Nacional del Surf” (Law of Declaration of Public Interest on Surfing and Development as an activity of tourist, economic and sports importance and declaration of the National Surf Day).
Although the official act of signing the bill into law was carried out on Friday, the bill was passed by the Legislative Assembly (Congress) this past August.
The law, which was promoted by the legislator of the Partido Nacional Restauracion (PRN), Melvin Núñez, will allow the State to promote surfing through the development of infrastructure to guarantee the safety of the practice of the sport, and give it a greater boost at the tourist level, among others aspects.
Alvarado said that this legal framework will promote the integration of the cultural experiences of the activity, as well as the economic and tourist revival around the strengthening of the practice of the sport.
The initiative also indicates that it will be up to the Instituto Costarricense del Deporte y la Recreación (Icoder), the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT) and municipalities, to take actions and promote activities whose purpose is to commemorate the day.
President Alvarado signing a surf board. Photos: Julieth Méndez (Casa Presidencial)
“We want to look for new employment opportunities for coastal areas, such as creating certified surf instructors and lifeguards. We feel hopeful,” said the president of the Federación Nacional de Surf (National Surf Federation), Randall Chaves.
In recent years, surfing has been increasing in popularity in Costa Rica, a country that has hosted world championships and international tour dates, and has also had world champions.
Data from the ICT indicate that Costa Rica receives nearly 3 million tourists every year, of which 15% arrive to hit the waves on the country’s beaches.
Photos by Julieth Méndez (Casa Presidencial)
