Surf Camp
Profile
Focus Area: Program Management & Development
Client: Private group of families, 60 total including adults and children ages 6 months to 13 years old
Location: Santa Teresa, Costa Rica - Puntarenas Province
Dates: June 20-27, 2022
Team: Family office employees, local property management staff, surf staff (20+ instructors from around the world)
Accommodations: Private Residence, Casa Cecilia, Casa Lanui
Transportation: Private Taxi Drivers, Green Airway Charter Flights, ATValerios,
Venues, Food & Beverage: Private Chefs Ana + Marcus & Pablo, Zunya, TP8 Pizza, Al Chile Viola, Rocamar, El Patio Café, Drift Bar
Themed Dinner Parties: Solar (summer solstice), 90’s Surf
Activities: Surf Instruction, Kids Camp, Pool Party, Pickleball Tournament, Pickup Beach Soccer, Macramé, Self Portraits, Sand Art, Beach Clean-Ups, Water Safety & Lifeguard Training with Santa Teresa Lifeguards, Charter Boats/Yatchs
Health & Wellness: Yoga, Meditation, Massage, Sound Bath, Tea Ritual, Tarot Reading
Summary
Every June this client hosts a surf-focused, camp-style week for friends and family at their private property in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. In addition to chasing waves both in the morning and afternoon, the client requested a handful of planned enrichment and service activities, health and wellness opportunities, and unique dining experiences.
Most important (and fun), was the creative task to enhance the group experience by encouraging conscious engagement within the community, environment and self. Together, we developed an ethos - see the RASR Principles outlined below - a play on the 10 Principles of Burning Man.
About Costa Rica & Santa Teresa
In recent years, Costa Rica’s ecotourism industry has exploded in popularity, attracting international travelers from near and far to explore the country’s natural wonders encompassing rainforests, wildlife refuges, nature reserves, beaches, rivers, mountains and volcanoes. Visitors can choose their own adventure as the country has something for everyone .
On the southern tip of Costa Rica’s northwestern peninsula, a dirt road connects a string of beaches (Playa Carmen, Playa Hermosa, Santa Teresa and Mal Pais) creating the eclectic community of Santa Teresa. Once a quiet fishing village, Santa Teresa is now a surfers’ bliss, yogi’s dreamscape, artist’s inspiration, and remote paradise that draws in worldly travelers to play until they end up staying. Boasting consistent 80 degree weather and sunshine – with the exception of the occasional monsoon like rainstorm – Santa Teresa is a destination year-round.
Top 3 Challenges
Transportation
To get to Santa Teresa, travelers must take a domestic flight from San Jose or Liberia, followed by a 40 minute taxi ride. Domestic aircrafts have weight limitations, and therefore can only fit approximately 8-10 people per flight, with limited bags. Green Airways was incredibly flexible in chartering prompt, private flights for such a large group to the peninsula.
The preferred transportation around town are ATV’s. While guests and staff grew accustomed to driving the 4-wheelers, larger vehicles were required for most dinner parties. Vehicle and transportation coordination took a dedicated staff to manage throughout the week and proved to be quite complicated.
Communication
We created a Gmail account to store all communications, documents, resources and photos for years to come. As a new-to-this-event manager, prior files were not well stored. As I investigated and compiled information, contacts, budgets - it became necessary to build a database to last.
The easiest platform for communicating with locals, campers and staff alike was WhatsApp. We created several groups prior to the camp week and the key was selecting a unique icon and title for each group to not confuse the multiple running dialogues. This worked great, however, the app only works while connected to WIFI. Therefore, there we several miscommunications while others were enroute, and we were required to act fast in response to needs throughout the week, with several moving parts.
Process
Creating processes to meet the clients needs, build trust and transparency. This proved to be complicated with a family office and demanding, fast paced careers and schedules.
The site visit prior to camp week was critical to build relationships, confidence and get acquainted with the community and lay of the land.
Takeaways
You can never have too many coconuts, or bottles of tequila.
Transporting program supplies via ATV, on jungle dirt roads….while pregnant - is a skill.
Surf instructors and ski instructors are of the same kin. It was a natural translation from mountains to ocean.
Monsoon rains can be show stoppers in the jungle, unless you just happen to have a talented guest who is also a DJ and can keep the vibe alive. Always invite a DJ.
Never underestimate the power of a good costume party.
*Additional pictures omitted for client confidentiality and privacy.
