Travel Board/boards...

I have the perfect board in mind for you. It is the infamous Costco Wavestorm. The dimensions are approximately 8 feet. It will serve all of your Philadelphian needs.

 

povones needs a swell to work. its not like the rest of the country where it's almost always chest high. also, nothing like negra. iirc you could sit on that boil/rock at negra and always be in positon. povones has less punch and take off could be anywhere near the rivermouth to way down the beach. but back to my first point. if there is not a decent swell running that palce will be tiny.

 

I take a thruster/quad convertible hybrid shortboard... slightly more rocker than a small wave board, but less than a full on HPSB. Then I'd plan to check the forecast and see what else I need to bring... a groveler, a fish, or a step-up.

 

I think Metard is hitting the nail. But, if there is swell, then you want the right board. First time I surfed Pavones in 99' there were two massive swells (was there for 3 weeks) and it was the best I have ever caught the place. But, I had the wrong board(s). I had a 6'4" and 6'8"...19 something wide and plenty rocker. That wave just does not call for it. For the most part, the drops are not super critical. There are two sections that are most critical but even there, I don't feel you need to over do it with rocker. I have surfed a 6' and 6'2' the other times I have been. The 6' board had medium rocker and 20" and worked perfect. The extra foam and lack of rocker were nice for the flatter sections and getting into some of the waves. Connecting that wave all the way through is heaven though...I love that place!

 

Yeah my Pops lives out like 10 mins from pavones, first off If you can even get to pavones to surf it lol. Most get talked out of the trip from the drive alone. But metard nailed it, not only is it secluded in a bay , it’s hard to get to especially in the rainy season, and I stand 6’1 at 185 solid and I surfed it on Christmas Day with a 6’2 with more volume than normal. It’s a bit of a mushy point except on the outgoing tide by the rio it can hollow up a little bit. Follow metards advice - stay north - the mile long left is cool if you get to ride it. But avellanas , both hermosa beaches, shoot even tamarindo you’ll be able to ride your normal boards. If you’re really worried about it , foam is your friend. Here is a pic of me getting burned at Pavones , it was my Christmas gift from the local youth.

 

The grom set up the perfect floaty section for you^. That was a December swell? Cool picture.

 

Was predicted 2-3 ft at Pavones when we went down. It was a bust. Gonna get rainy fo sho. def rained on way out of pavones n we were almost stuck in our 4WD ride. but mahn i took a bunch shts as soon as i got outta the water. def a lotta rocks along a lotta of the breaks down the central coast of CR. Was there in November, still pretty fresh on most of that side if ya need to know more. mainly we hit up hermosa n dominical then ventured down to pavones for 3 days

 

Maybe you could get one of those bi-sectual boards some guy was hawking on here a couple of months ago

 

also, i'd suggest 6' to 6'4 board for yourself. the waves were real dumpy for the most part so ya wanna get as much in as you can when on the wave

 

Yeah, it goes both ways. Left and right.

 

Yeah we got super lucky, we got swell every almost every week I was down there over December. It was a cool time, for sure

 

Never goes straight for anyone.

 

That's Pavones in your Avatar right? I have a picture of me that is identical to that shot...big cutback flat shoulder with the mountain backdrop.

 

Sure is , it’s one magical place pavones is.

 

Two things.

First, you dont have to bring boards to CR. I always do cuz i like my own equip but CR has a great selection. Carton (in Jaco on the way to the south anyway) has every type of shape imaginable.

Second, 100% concur with assessment on Pavones HOWEVER if you catch it just decent then you will never forget it. Pavones usually gets a look from me every trip. Frequently its a bust but when it aint - it is freaking good. Note: if your doing a bunch of turns or chop hopping then it aint proper Pavones. Proper Pav calls for check turns and maybe a slash or two on the corners.

I dont normally like to talk about specific spots online but Pavones aint no secret.

 

i surfed that side of golfo dulce. matapalo and another smaller spot just for fun. both were rights and heavily tide dependent. fun but nothing spectacular. rio lapas is near there. https://www.laparios.com/ maybe, one day when im rich.

never went past matapalo but i hear there are some beach breaks there

 

Man I didn't even know about this place. Very cool but a bit too rich for my blood too.

Yeah I heard about those beach breaks too lol