A great but muddy adventure race competition was held the last weekend in Orbec / Normandy, and our Zopilote Surfcamp racing team took part in a very well organised, adventureous competition. The race included mountainbiking, trail running, orientation running, kayaking, bike & run as well as shooting. Our team was almost 7 hours on the track, and arrived wet, muddy and very happy at the place de la mairie in Orbec.

The highlight of the event was clearly the kayak route, but for others a head-on jump from the bike into one of the many deep mudholes. However, everyone enjoyed the great after-event party with good food and dance. Who says the French can’t party? Oh yeah, they can!

[Technorati Tags: adventure racing - news - France ]

This weekend, our Adventure Race Team in Europe made its first start at a competition in Germany. After 9 hours and 52 mins our team crossed the goal line and scored a third place!

Radys’ Trophy is a 4 race-event in Germany. This competition was held at Bayerwald, a rural region in Bavaria close to the Czech border. The race included 10km orienteering running, 80km mountainbiking and 10km canoe racing.

[Technorati Tags: adventure racing - news - Germany ]

We proudly present you a free Costa Rica Surf Guide with main information about surfing in this great surf environment. Content:

• Costa Rica surfing conditions & spots
• Presentation of major spots like Santa Teresa, Mal Pais, Tamarindo, and many others
• Travel information
• Alternative activities

You can download an english or a german version of our Costa Rica surf guide. It’s a pdf-format.

[Technorati Tags: surf - news - Costa Rica ]

We asked Kristin from Germany about her stay with us at the camp. What does she think about the camp? “Amazing, fantastic, freedom & a place where you feel at home”, she says and adds in spanish: “Aprendi varias cosas durante este tiempo!”

So, what did she enjoy the most? There are so many things to re-call, she even don’t know: “Where shall I start – surfing, walking at the longest beachses, sunrise & sunset with friends, eating best food, take the bycicle on the street in the dust (hust, hust, , keuch, roechel). But the thing I enjoyed most is that I have found new friends!”

And, what’s the coolest thing about surfing? “Getting a washing machine. It’s another way to snowboard just without snow. No, it’s realy like … find your spot on earth and ride it.” Funny girl. But she wants to come back: “I’ll be back soon in half a year – but now, I’m so sad that I must go
home – cry, cry…”

See you again, Kristin!

[Technorati Tags: surf - news - Costa Rica ]

Camilla stayed with us for one week in December and said she enjoyed most the relaxing atmosphere at the camp and the fellow surfers she met there. Also, an applause to Simon, the Cook: great food served!

Camilla from South Africa but also liked the way Europeans tried to speak English: “There was a guy called Stefan saying ‘I will go down for you’ I liked that! ;D”

As a beginner, the coolest thing about surfing was to be able to stand on it and have some white water surfing. But she really felt comfortable with us, thanking for the great time and experience: “This place is well looked after!”

After one week of escape of civilization, she returned back home to the southern tip of Africa.

[Technorati Tags: surf - news - Costa Rica ]

[Technorati Tags: surf - news - Costa Rica ]

Dirk, a german guy who stayed with us this November, liked a lot about our camp. As he said: “[There are] Just good things: relaxed & funny atmosphere; absolutely cool location (house, location, equipment…); always delicious food; great surf-lessons” 

After surf, one of his favourite things to do was to lay back in a hammock with a cuba libre in one hand. We wondered what’s the coolest thing about surfing for Dirk. He points out, that’s all about timing, timing on catching a wave. If you got it right, the surf will be just awesome.

Dirk, something personal you want to add? “Keep going on – I will recommend your place!” - Thanks!

[Technorati Tags: surf - news - Costa Rica ]

For all Mountainbike fans, this is one of the world’s top events in Costa Rica: la ruta de los conquistadores. It’s a race from the Pacific to the Carribean Sea, accross the mountains and the plateau, for several days of mud, heat and rain. A fine story is describing the race from the woman’s race winner Sue Haywood.

If you come to our camp, you should try some backtracks, but never leave your bike alone!

[Technorati Tags: surf - bike - Costa Rica ]

In this series, we want you to present some of our guests and their feelings about the Zopilote Surfcamp. Today, we asked Sonja from Switzerland about her stay with us.

Bruno: What do you think about the camp?
Sonja: The camp is situated right on the beach so that you wake up in the morning with the sound of the waves. Playa Hermosa is a beautiful spot, only a 5 minutes walk from the camp, never crowded and you can see Giselle Buendchen’s home from the lineup. Was will man mehr?

Bruno: What did you enjoy the most?
Sonja: The huge breakfast after a good surf session in the morning.

Bruno: What’s the coolest thing about surfing?
Sonja: Talking in the lineup during sunset!

Bruno: Something personal you want to add?
Sonja: Ein grosses Dankeschön an das ganze Zopilote-Team fuer 3 super Wochen in Costa Rica. Ihr seid die Grössten!!!
(from German into English: A big thank-you to the zopilote crew for 3 amazing weeks in Costa Rica. You’re the greatest!)

by the way: pics taken from Uli, our surf camp photographer!

[Technorati Tags: surf - surf camp - Costa Rica ]