Surfing Capsules EP. 1 | Surfing the Tamarindo Rivermouth
Channel: Witch's Rock Surf Camp
Date: 30/07/2020

Welcome to Witch's Rock Surf Camp's Surfing Capsules: a series of short, informative episodes about different surfing topics. In this episode Ryan (surf science guru) and Niki talk about the wave mechanics of the Tamarindo river mouth and what makes this spot tick. 

Tamarindo is located on the northwest coast of Costa Rica and is a popular surf town just 1 hour away from the Liberia airport. This is where Witch's Rock Surf Camp has been for almost 20 years. Tamarindo Bay is shaped like a horse-shoe from it's south end to it's north end and the Tamarindo river mouth is smack-dab in the center. The Tamarindo river mouth actually divides Playa Tamarindo from it's neighboring Playa Grande to the north. 

Playa Tamarindo is an ideal beginner and intermediate wave 90% of the time. There is a small island right offshore that blocks the brint of the swell and also it's due west orientation does not recieve the brunt of the South Pacific swells that are our principal swell sourch. For this reason Tamarindo is known as the best beach to learn to surf in Costa Rica.  However, there are some days every year when the swell direction , size, period is perfect and the sandbanks are deposited correctly that makes the wave absolutely world class. 

Since the Tamarindo river mouth faced due west (270 degrees) there needs to be a specific angle for the swell to creep in. In the green season months ( May - October). To get the wave cranking, there needs to be a solid SW swell (210 - 235 degrees) with a long period (16 seconds +). In the dry season (November - April) a big northwest swell that originates off the coast of Japan will hit the shores of Tamarindo sever days later with a perfect angle for the classics right hand tube section to ignite. Northwest swells are a little more fickle and difficult to predict, but a long period northwest swell with a healthy westerly angle (280 - 305 degrees) is Tamarindo's ideal direction for a classic day. 

Tide wise, Tamarindo river mouth likes a low-mid tide. The wave can be hollow and dangerous when the tide is low, but if you can make the vertical drop, you're in for a fast and thrilling ride with multiple tube sections. With the mid - high tide, the wave is a little fatter and mushier, but can still be fun with a more voluminous board. 

It comes to no surprise that the best winds for Tamarindo are offshore (Northeast / East / Southeast). These offshore winds will groom the oncoming surf like a comb and stand up the wave with potential for 100 meter + rides. 

All this is covered (and more!) in the video. We'd love to hear any questions you have about Tamarindo in general of Witch's Rock Surf Camp. Leave us a comment below and we'll get back to you ASAP. 

DON'T FORGET TO HIT THE SUBSCRIBE BUTTON & FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/witchsrocksurf
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WitchsRockSurfCamp/
Website: https://witchsrocksurfcamp.com/


PURA VIDA!!!!