Among surfers, the ISA World Surfing Games are generally considered to be the Olympics of surfing and Jaco Beach will play host to the 2016 contest this August.

This will be the second time for Costa Rica to feature the tournament with the last time being in 2009 in neighboring Playa Hermosa where over 70,000 people came to spectate this international affair.

I was fortunate to be there in 2009 and the atmosphere was ELECTRIC. I’m getting goose bumps just recalling the kickoff parade with 35 countries marching through town proudly waving their native flags while adorned in their respective uniforms.

Each were singing and chanting in their own languages while all the spectators cheered back in appreciation of the competitors who had traveled from all corners of the globe to compete.

As the Costa Rican team marched in the rear of the pack the masses began jumping up and down and chanting oooo aaaaaa oo aa oo aa oo aaaaaaa Tiiiccccooooooo’ssss Tiiiiiccccooooooo’sssss and the opening ceremony commenced with the pouring of sand from the shores of all 35 countries into one large bowl.

This year Costa Rica will be defending its title because they emerged as victors in the 2015 games that were held in Nicaragua. This was a huge feat for a small developing country in Central America when stacked against the usual powerhouses of surfing namely Brazil, Australia and the United States.

Costa Rica’s dream team includes professionals Carlos Muñoz, Noe Mar McGonagle, Anthony Fillingim and Anthony Fillingim.

The impact for tourism and the local economy will be huge with potentially 100,000 visitors and a live webcast that will be potentially seen by millions. As for me I’m excited as can be to see this in our backward once again!

For more information about condos, homes and land for sale in the beach town of Jaco and surrounding areas please contact our Recommended Realtors in Jaco Shawn Fletcher and his wife Hannah Fletcher
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Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.