A year and a half ago, my husband, Matt, came home from a long day of selling cars in Portland, Oregon. He was tired and frustrated as the economy was on the verge of collapse. His long hours didn’t give him much time with our two young sons. The winters in the northwest were long and rainy. Matt, a New Zealander, had once made his living on boats, racing yachts and captaining pleasure boats. He yearned to return to the ocean.
So, on that fateful day, I said to Matt, “Let’s move – let’s do something totally different.” “Okay,” he said.
After weeks of fruitless research, I found an opportunity in Costa Rica. A surf school was for sale. Perfect. Matt grew up surfing and spent his young adult years lifeguarding at New Zealand’s famous Karekare surf club.
Surfing with Point Break Surf School. Photo By Natasha Nowakowski Craig
Six weeks from our first conversation, our house was empty, ready for new renters, almost all of our possessions were locked in storage, and we were on our way to take over Point Break Surf, a surf school servicing Brasilito, Playa Conchal, Flamingo and Potrero in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region.
We haven’t looked back since.
Today, at Point Break Surf, we strive to give our customers a personalized experience they will never forget. We emphasize safety and fun. More importantly, Matt and our assistant instructor, Eugenio, know how to get people standing up on a surfboard, no matter what age or level of fitness.
We have been fortunate to teach people from all walks of life, from large families with young kids, wedding groups, honeymooners, young adults, and even some NFL players..
Our kids are thriving in Costa Rica – at ages 2 and 4, they already know how to surf, swim, and snorkel. They speak Spanish better than their parents. Best of all, family dinners are no longer a rarity.