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Excellent 4.80rating (89)
  • Good Health And Well-Being

Surf/Skate Coach & Surf Lessons

location
1 - 8 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+
Verified
Volunteer project with the highest quality. This project sets unprecedented standards in quality - an unparalleled level of excellence.

Highlights

  • Share your Surf and Skate passion, skills, and experience with enthusiastic local kids.
  • Work collaboratively and become friends with local Surf and Skate experts, trainers, coaches, and business owners.
  • Make lifelong memories surfing great waves during personalized surf lessons with local professionals.

Highlights

  • Share your Surf and Skate passion, skills, and experience with enthusiastic local kids.
  • Work collaboratively and become friends with local Surf and Skate experts, trainers, coaches, and business owners.
  • Make lifelong memories surfing great waves during personalized surf lessons with local professionals.
  • Gain hands-on international experience while working directly with local kids to make your resume stand out.
  • Enjoy local cuisine while living just minutes from epic Costa Rican waves and watching breathtaking sunsets.
    • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups

    About the program

    Lead and support Surf and Skating lessons for local children while sharing your athletic knowledge and skills.

    Our program empowers Surfers and Skaters to gain professional and personal experience by leading practices, trainings, workshops, and lessons for kids living in a low-income community. WeVOL is located on the pristine Matapalo beach just fifteen minutes north of Dominical and thirty minutes south of ...

    About the program

    Our program empowers Surfers and Skaters to gain professional and personal experience by leading practices, trainings, workshops, and lessons for kids living in a low-income community. WeVOL is located on the pristine Matapalo beach just fifteen minutes north of Dominical and thirty minutes south of Quepos-Manuel Antonio. Our rural beach town has one of the best skate parks and  Dominical is one of the top 5 surf beaches in the country. 

    In addition, this program includes 2 professional surf lessons per week. The surf lessons are with bilingual and pro surfers who have years of experience teaching beginners, intermediate, and advance surfers. 


    SURF LESSONS:

    Beginners surfers will learn the basic of popping up, paddling effectively, and gain the needed muscle memory to improve and catch waves with confidence. As you progress, you will learn how to read the waves - take rights and lefts - how to paddle on your own on a green wave ,and you will get incredibly fit.

    Intermediate & Advanced surfers will have a blast with the local surf team. The surf instructor team will coach you on your paddling , pop up and stance, plus giving you expert advice and feedback to improve as you start to rip on Costa Rican waves. Plus, the surf team will take you on surf safaris to local points and beach breaks - imagine surfing wave after wave with very few surfers in the water. You will feel like a Costa Rican local and truly fine-tune your surfing skills. Get ready to get rip and surf the best waves of your life!  SHAKA!


    Surfboard rentals are available for $20 per day for you to practice during your free time. Get ready to catch the best waves of your life, share meaningful time with super cool local  kids, and get to know some of Costa Rica's best surfers - plus, you will get super fit!

       
    Known for its beautiful beaches, lush jungles, and laid back culture, Costa Rica is consistently a top choice for eager globetrotters. Matapalo evokes the Costa Rica from years ago with empty beaches, roadside ceviche shacks, and endless miles of stunning beaches and vibrant tropical jungle. Surf and Skate Coaches not only get to know and work with Costa Rican children who are motivated to train and practice, but truly experience the Pura Vida lifestyle that attracts so many travellers to this peaceful nation. Our experienced staff will train and support you on effective instructional skills, so you are prepared to deliver and participate in engaging Surf and Skate activities. 


    WeVOL accepts Skate and Surf Coaches who are traveling solo, partners, groups, and families. Volunteers receive a certificate of completion for service hours worked. If you are interested in getting even more active, we encourage you to seek new and exciting extreme sports by going horseback riding, rafting or kayaking, and more exciting area excursions.

    Typical day

    Typical Daily Schedule 
    Please note: Surf times are based on the tide and conditions, so your schedule will rotate, but this is an idea of a typical day):

    • 7:30: Breakfast (provided, but on your own)
    • 9:00: Team Meeting
    • 9:30-12:00: Personalized Surf Lesson
    • Lunch on your own (you may be back at WeVOL or ...

    Typical day

    Typical Daily Schedule 
    Please note: Surf times are based on the tide and conditions, so your schedule will rotate, but this is an idea of a typical day):

    • 7:30: Breakfast (provided, but on your own)
    • 9:00: Team Meeting
    • 9:30-12:00: Personalized Surf Lesson
    • Lunch on your own (you may be back at WeVOL or out on the beach, lunch is not included)
    • 13:00 - 14:00: Preparing for Sports Camp and cleaning sports' gear
    • 14:00 - 15:30: Free time 
    • 15:30 - 18:00: Kids Sports Camp
    • 18:00 - 19:30: Sunset and Free Time
    • 19:30:  Hearty and Healthy Dinner

    Free-time activities

    Located in between Dominical and Manuel Antonio National Park, our town is full of options during your free time. In addition to your surf sessions, participants will have free time to enjoy sunsets daily and maximize their weekend fun. The stunning Matapalo beach and town has a great skate park, ...

    Free-time activities

    Located in between Dominical and Manuel Antonio National Park, our town is full of options during your free time. In addition to your surf sessions, participants will have free time to enjoy sunsets daily and maximize their weekend fun. The stunning Matapalo beach and town has a great skate park, paved roads for cycling, and well-maintained soccer fields. 

    Participants can shop at the thriving local artisan market in Dominical, head to Quepos to find unique souvenirs, and experience the local farmers´ market which is a sensory overload of smells, colors, and beautiful people. The free time activities here are endless and the only challenge will be fitting them all in before you head home or continue your travels. 

    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    Experience Surfing and Skating Desire to Coach and Instruct Children

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:30 - 17:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    • Arrival Bus Transportation

    • Shared Room Accommodation

    • Breakfast and Dinner

    • Orientation

    • Transportation to Surf Beaches & Surfboard Rentals (included with 2 lessons per week)

    • Bed linens and Towels

    • Lots of fun with amazing local children & amazing waves with Costa Rican professional surf instructors

    Airport Pickup at Juan Santamaria International Airport

    All participants fly into SJO International Airport and based on your arrival time, you may taxi from SJO airport directly to the Tracopa bus terminal or spend your arrival night at a nearby hostel and take the bus in the morning. We will be in constant communication together to make all needed arrival plans using WhatsApp.

    Prior to your arrival, we will have communicated and you will have your bus ticket in the form of a QR code using the Passer App. The bus trip takes about 4 hours and brings you directly to Playa Matapalo. The bus is comfortable with AC and makes a mid-way stop. The WeVOL team will meet you at the bus stop (about 3 minutes away from WeVOL) and bring you to the project site to meet everyone and check-in. 

    Accommodation

    Our modern accommodations are designed to fit and blend in to our natural surroundings and tropical gardens. Relax and unwind as you hear the sounds of waves and wildlife. We have a mix of shared room lodging (no private rooms are available):

    • 5 cabinas (3-4 people) 
    • 1 studio apartment (6 people)

    The cabinas and apartment are comfortable with a mix of double, twin, and bunk beds and include all basic features needed to ensure a comfortable stay and total privacy during your down time. You will be placed in a room based on age, gender, and availability. Our rooms are comfortable, unique, and perfect to experience the natural beauty of Costa Rica while relaxing in between surfing, skating, running around with the local kids, and exploring the area. We spend every afternoon enjoying the blazing sunsets and often share time with evening bonfires as the moon rises over the ocean. 

    • All rooms have a private bathroom and entrance.
    • We have outdoor showers and a communal and main kitchen, plus a restaurant on-site.  
    • Laundry service is available for a fee - all clothes will be cleaned and air-dried, there is no dryer but the sun and heat work well.
    WeVOL participants live in a tropical, coastal environment, it’s recommended that you bring:
    • Plenty of sunscreen and bug spray (you can purchase these here, but they are expensive). 
    • Be sure to bring a flashlight or headlamp. 
    • Don’t forget your swim suits and a rash guard. The weather is very hot, so pack light summer clothes.
    There are ATMs close-by and we will coordinate times when you need to withdraw cash. Most activities and tours can be paid with PayPal, but some required cash only and it is best to have cash for taxis around during your free time. We recommend you budget about $250 per week in cash and probably will not spend that much but can avoid any ATM and bank fees. 

    Food & Beverages

    We are known for our great food! Enjoy healthy locally sourced meals with the freshest ingredients along with caring, friendly service and preparation. We are proud to serve fresh and local produce whenever possible in all of our dishes. Our menu caters to all types of lifestyles and dietary requirements or preferences. Drinking water, tea and coffee are provided.

    Sample Menu

    Breakfast:

    • Provided in the communal kitchen
    • Fresh Local Fruit (mangoes, bananas, pineapple)
    • Toast 
    • Cereal & Granola
    • Eggs
    • Cheese
    • Yogurt
    • Bacon, Sausage, or Sliced Deli Meat

    Lunch:

    • On your own

    All volunteers have access to the communal kitchen and there is a supermarket and restaurants located less than 5 minutes from the WeVOL project site. Based on the day's plan, you may need to pack a lunch with you.
    Dinner:

    • Pasta with ground beef and tomato sauce or Coconut curry chicken with potatoes
    • Vegetarian: Pasta with garlic mushrooms or Garbanzo curry with potatoes

    All dietary requirements are catered for (food allergies, vegan, vegetarian, no seafood, dairy free, etc) and we love to cook together. 

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose. We assist you to find cheap flights to Costa Rica. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Costa Rica provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Costa Rica you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Costa Rica. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Volunteers can arrive any day and WeVOL provides local bus transportation from the Tracopa bus terminal located near SJO airport. The bus ticket is provided by WeVOL and the bus takes you to the entrance of Playa Matapalo. WeVOL leaders will meet you there and we will be in communication using WhatsApp prior to your arrival and during the bus trip. The ride is less than 4 hours from the bus terminal to Playa Matapalo.

    Participants stay at Guava Lodge located in Matapalo, Costa Rica. Guava Lodge is a five-room modern lodge with a studio apartment and a restaurant on-site. Guava Lodge is located 200 meters from the ocean and has a lovely tropical garden with lush flora and fascinating fauna - imagine monkeys, scarlet macaws, avocado trees and hibiscus flowers! Each room has a private bathroom. Towels and linens are provided. Our staff will make sure that you will feel at home as soon as you arrive.
    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program Fees

    $675 per week 1 - 8 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES

    Duration

    1 - 8 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.

    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
    4.8
    Travelers’ Choice
    One of the most loved volunteer experiences, according to travelers

    Volunteer photos

    Location

    Americas > Central America > Costa Rica > Matapalo

    Meet your project coordinator

    Kerri
    89
    reviews
    4.80
    Excellent
    2022
    Founded

    Verified

      Good response rate
    Spoken languages: English, Spanish
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    Volunteer Abroad  >  Education  >  Sports in Costa Rica
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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