Perfect day, Pavones - Costa Rica, 16 August 2021 (RAW)

This week, the bucolic landscape of Pavones, Costa Rica, was graced with a good swell that made the famous peak lefthanders break fast and perfect. Many famous athletes shared the waves with regular surfers with a very positive vibe. As the locals say: Pura Vida!
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[@thesurfdrop]

You can help us out! Please *SUBSCRIBE* and *LIKE* our content. This motivate us on keep going forward and getting better stuff for you all to enjoy. *Thank you!*

[@michaelwilliams3270]

Camped by the river there in 1980 six weeks me and 3 other Melbourne Beach fla. Locals , pretty much head high everyday, but near last few days a massive swell hit take offs we're 18 to25 feet concave but oh so down the line . 69 years old now still surfing and Povone's is a life lasting memory.

[@thesurfdrop]

Wow... Memories like this last forever! Have you still been going to Pavones dude?

[@michaelwilliams3270]

@@thesurfdrop that was the only time I surfed povones but six weeks and getting in and back to back out to San Jose back then was very difficult, they called it no man's land.

[@sanpedrolocal1970]

Captain crumblers trying to shoulder hop.

[@johnny-yi2oi]

look at me, i am the captain now.

[@ricardodemetrio6147]

Ondulação de Sul 100 graus, fica top, surfei Pavones quebrando a segunda sessão, na pedra, 6 a 7’ , playground maravilhoso.

[@KdR594]

Surfed there in 1989, got a room above the cantina, the waves were about this size not as hollow, but no close outs, you could ride a wave the whole way across.

[@thesurfdrop]

And how was the crowd?

[@legentilhommedefortune]

I've surfed / camped this place one month at the season in the 90's .. great surf & great people ! very small crowd ! great memories !!

[@thesurfdrop]

It must have been incredible!

[@zoellar11]

This was a nice day......but not a perfect day. Far from it. I surfed Pavones only once in June 1990......we were there for six days......one day was solid 6' -8' with offshore....about the only people in the water was our group.......I was lucky to make the trip. Thanks to Paul for inviting me.......lots of great memories of that trip, staying at Eric Steinworth's place (is he still around?) about half mile further down the beach in his two story bungalow which was pretty rustic but great ambience. Our cook was a native indian women who arrived early each morning and late in the day to cook our meals.....

[@HoStevie]

*HOLY SHMOKES that's a long wave!* 🌊

[@thesurfdrop]

It's a long wave for sure. But take look at this Chicama footage and answer me: is that the longest wave in the world? kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZqZiHuaacuMkJo

[@JoeDough-s5g]

nice close outs

[@iiLeeDz]

You know a wave is good when it does all the work for you

[@thesurfdrop]

This waves sure helps... and a lot! But we can assure you that to catch a good one, you need to paddle a lot and have a good sense of positioning. Thanks for watching our channel!

[@DR-bu1sr]

Pavones is a fast racey wave that takes a lot of effort.. also when it's bombing its very hard to get out on the cobblestones ! You've never seen so much current and water moving... pura vida mae

[@schreds]

spent a lot of time at pavones back in the 80s ,, used to be a killer little bar on the point fronting the little wall with rooms upstairs for about $8 a day plus meals,, a crowed was about 6 guys ,, seen the points connect only a few times but that takes solid 8'-10' swell ,, the direction seems off on this day if your not making it past the river it aint happening

[@cjgamer2140]

Same. Stayed over the bar many a times. That has since been torn down. Definitely a 5 out of 10 on this day. Filming from the mid point of the wave in this vid, and it's closing out.

[@thesurfdrop]

I would love to experience a perfect day in Pavones in the 80s.

[@schreds]

@@thesurfdrop yeah was different time , easiest way to Pavones at that time was by boat with a stop at Roys place in Zancudo for a beer other wise it was a FULL day trip through the jungle by truck from Golfito if the road was makable ,, one of my biggest regrets is i had the chance to buy a little mangrove island in Golfito harbor for $20k u.s. and didn't do it ,, dummy

[@matthewgoodtimes3555]

​@@cjgamer2140 The cantina got burned down, the locals running it at the time got popped for not paying the yearly beverage taxes. So burning it down was their answer.

[@bonefishboards]

Good size for Pavones. I wouldn't call this a perfect day; swell angle is slightly too west. But, loved the video.

[@thesurfdrop]

Thanks

[@tamarindosurfshop]

Mmm nice waves but far from being perfect Pavones, looks like the swell angle was plus 200 so it makes the waves faster with closeout section, don’t get me wrong I’ll love to surf it but it can be much perfect! Pura Vida from CR

[@thesurfdrop]

Thank you for the expert info. If you have footage of perfect Pavones, we'll be glad to post it.

[@6bt_str86]

I only been to Cr once , Jaco though wanted to venture south but, first time etc.. but Im on Jane Murray's team on this , I'll bet it gets better than this even in the Winter... My 2 cents anyhoo.. great footage and pleasure to see more of pavones from what I recall there isn't much of it (this was in my feed as I'm constantly on S.O.B. you can bet I'm searching 4 seconds from / Now:)

[@thesurfdrop]

Rumors that it actually does get better. Thank you for your support! Don't forget to subscribe and activate the alert. Shaka!

[@juniorpresser]

Agree with Jane, I got a perfect swell in August 2018, and this session wasn't fast and closing like this. Perfect lines, from rock to rock (when it has a km of surfable wave).

[@curtismulder1950]

Any day at Pavones is perfect. I spent six weeks surfing this break back in 1999. Ran out of money and had to leave because of no bank or atm. Man those were the days. One day I will be back to experience this epic and legendary break. I have video from back then. Ive seen it break from the river mouth way outside all the way through to the cove. Man the memories...

[@thegreatestadvice88]

If this wave was a little heavier it'd be in the running for the best spot on the planet. Still looks really fun.

[@RaulEdu33]

Epic long rides 🏄🌊🥇 any local or expat living in Pura vida land? Can anyone recommend a two board travel quiver for March-April? 1 Mid length 1 High performance, groveler or fish?

[@thesurfdrop]

C'mon guys, let's help this brother out!

[@RaulEdu33]

@@thesurfdrop Thank you, Cheers from Ventura, CA 🍻😎

[@thesurfdrop]

Cheers! Say hello to Dane Reinolds if you happen to see him around the block! About the quiver: take your everyday board and something with more muscle (three or four inches longer board) to challenge some of the bigger swells.

[@topanotti]

Classic!

[@felipesosacarvalho]

🔥🔥

[@blusnuby2]

Conditions please: water & air temps, sand/rock/coral bottom ? Thanks.

[@thesurfdrop]

Pavones is a very consistent wave and can be surfed year round but would be best from March to October. Groundswells more frequent than windswells and the ideal swell angle is from the southwest. The bottom is a mix of sand and rocks and it's best on high tide. Air and water are tropical warm all year.

[@jbryantmb1]

I was there! Was epic

[@thesurfdrop]

You are one lucky son of a gun! If you're on the video and want the scene, please send us an e-mail: [e-mail]. If you have more images you can also send us in the same e-mail!

[@joemulholland3378]

Awesome 👌

[@thesurfdrop]

Isn't it?

[@tomheinrich9638]

just how difficult is it to get to this place nowadays?

[@thesurfdrop]

Today it's pretty easy to get there, but it's an isolated village with not much to do but surfing.

[@chriskastelan8989]

Close out sections don't equate to perfect, but nice enough if you can snivel the right one....

[@thesurfdrop]

The right one on an average day at Pavones is probably better than most of the best days around the world!

[@SabrinaDacosta]

This is far from perfect. Close out unnameable sections. Review your titles if you don’t like people disagreeing with you

[@cultxxdisorder1526]

Paradise🙌🙌🙌one of the best surf spots. I love it there 🌊

[@thesurfdrop]

Nice! Tell us more about it.

[@cultxxdisorder1526]

@@thesurfdrop last February I went down to Costa Rica, I felt in love with the country, the people, the jungle and the beach/waves. Started in San Jose, then to the coast, Jaco, Hermosa, Dominical and down to Pavones, amazing country, I can’t wait to go back. Pavones was pumping, nice size and really long. The whole area around Pavones was my favorite part of my exploration trip. Pura Vida ✌️. Yo soy de Portugal, viviendo en New York 🙂

[@RaulEdu33]

Awesomeness 🏄🤙😃 Pedro did you travel with your own quiver/boards or rentals?

[@gmoneyslowdance5510]

❤❤❤❤

[@thesurfdrop]

😍

[@marcvince1261]

Stay high, u gotta stay high at pavones, especially at the cantina!! Love that wave, please say hello to the reef for me, we met on my first wave, wasn't high enough, and became close friends! Pure life!!

[@1surfrider4life]

The Reef 🤣? (LOL) That is a sandbar break!

[@marcvince1261]

@@1surfrider4life nope the take off is a reef before the river. Ate it on the drop on my first wave and was met by flat rocks that resemble a reef. If I remember it correctly the locals called it wheel chairs. After the river it gets more sandy. Maybe thats where you where sitting after it gets smaller. 😄

[@1surfrider4life]

@@marcvince1261"You gotta stay high " ? "You were met by flat rocks" ? "You are are a major Kook!

[@1surfrider4life]

Listen barney ~~ there is NO REEF at Pavones!

[@marcvince1261]

@@1surfrider4life look your making a fool out of ourself! U have to stay high to make the outside section. Once u make it in front of the river where it bowls u can draw a line and drive through the barrel and yes there are rocks there considered a reef.

[@marcelosurfpaiva]

A onda é tão boa que até uns caras "durão" consegue "surfar" .... hahahaha

[@rafaelsato360]

👏👏👏

[@Stopthegreed]

Sorry to be a Debby downer but i havent seen any footage from this place that makes me want to spend the time or money going there. Might be a long wave but show me anyone taking off and sitting in a barrel for any length of time and i will show you 100s of waves in Indonesia that are better. Still i guess its an adventure and the place looks beautiful.

[@thesurfdrop]

Pavones has very good days and, as it has a sandy bottom, it becomes friendlier than most breaks in Indonesia. Maybe that's the charm of the place. In addition, there are several other spots in the region, very good, and much less known.

[@notforrent3084]

Was there in 1991 and as Jane said it can be, and was, perfect... All the way down the beach. Getting there was hell though and we had to bail out the potholes with buckets to get the combi through them. Even then we cracked the chassis... :-(

[@thesurfdrop]

Seems like a great adventure. Hope it ended with great waves and a safe trip home!

[@zoellar11]

I just posted then read your post. Yes, in the early 90s, getting to Pavones was an adventure in itself...crossing the old ferry (dinero!, dinero!) and the muddy roads, darn, they were a mess. Thank goodness for 4 wheel drive. I'm sure your memories are similar to mine....and glad we made it at that time.

[@notforrent3084]

@@thesurfdrop The waves were epic followed by a month or two at Porto Viejo and then Peru... Ah....

[@OffDaLip]

Amazing! Never got Pavones like this. One day #fingerscrossed

[@thesurfdrop]

One day #fingerscrossed !!!!!!!!

[@retrain35yo87]

Not sure what everyone's complaining about, they look perfect to me! Except the water...too salty...i prefer 1.6% less salinity.

[@RaulEdu33]

Lol and the water is too warm I prefer it 1/8 of a degree colder 🤣

[@gustavoriosthejoker3589]

Ainda vou fazer uma queda nesse pico, abraço fro. Praia da pipa-Brasil🤙🏼😎🤡🇧🇷 aloha pura vida we love costa rica🏄‍♂️🌊muy buenas olas...

[@thesurfdrop]

Pico mágico! Um dia vamos dar uma passada aí na praia da pipa! Valeu, Aloha!

[@farwest6321]

Like uluwatu.....with more side current 🌊

[@thesurfdrop]

And no sharp reef underneath!

[@germanrivera4581]

Que olas mas cabronas! Saludos a Costa Rica, de San Juan, PR. Ufff….increibles!

[@thesurfdrop]

Pura Vida!

[@jamespardue3055]

Who thought it was a good idea to shoot from behind the other guys filming?

[@thesurfdrop]

It was a spontaneous idea.

[@rnunezc.4575]

Mmmm..looks like is closing out, San Mateo breaks better...

[@rottenbob91]

Plenty of snowballers kooks

[@thesurfdrop]

Snowballers is a nice way to put it. Sometimes this paddle over the shoulder is completely unnecessary.

[@Dbunkr55]

Goofy foot paradise : )

[@thesurfdrop]

Definitely a paradise for those guided by their right feet!

[@davidanderson8469]

Section plagued really.

[@mauifilms4632]

i would have gotten arrested for murdering that wave.... maybe?

[@thesurfdrop]

Huahuahua! I bet you would kill it!

[@dingocapo2087]

barney point!!!!!!!!! ,

[@thesurfdrop]

Awesome!

[@SabrinaDacosta]

Lol

[@WjB_96792]

Alot of dummies out on the shoulder paddling for waves and making sections crumble on another surfer already up and riding.

[@johnhudson5414]

There's always more waves dude

[@joshuamills7633]

@@johnhudson5414 nah its not on - just look before you paddle

[@gsmarin1]

Average day that is not connecting, let me break it down for the newbies that no absolutely nothing about the wave. There are a few Sections of the wave that start to connect when it’s well overhead. First is the Outside Rio Claro Rivermouth, which funnels into the Point House section, then there is the 3Palms bowl which refers to a long incredible run where one Palm tree has Branches rising out of it, then you hit the Corner where the Cantina used to be, then there is the last section which peels all the way to the School. There is your Pavones lesson. If it is not connecting through ALL those sections it is NOT Real Pavones, only some wannabe KZbinr’s wet dream

[@joshuamills7633]

Lol yeah swell seems to direct

[@sensai_miagi]

Perfect, except for the humans ruining it for each other

[@tardiztardiz]

This is one of the worlds top locations for goofy footers to finally get long lefts and natural/regular style are out riding backside? SMH. I am not saying don't come but seems like there's soooo many others spots for natural/regular style to do their thing. Leave this spot to the goofy footers! Top goofy foot waves in the world Pipeline, Uluwatu - Bali, Pavones, Desert Point - Lombok, G-Land - Java, Skeleton Bay - Namibia, Raglan (Manu Bay) - New Zealand, Punta Roca - El Salvador, Chicama - Peru, Cloudbreak!! These are ours lol, you regular people stay away! lol

[@cwr8618]

perfect day, show's tons of closeouts...?

[@thesurfdrop]

The waves were fast for sure. But with several good ones going.

[@cwr8618]

@@thesurfdrop hoping to visit there in the near future. been to CR 3 times but not surfed this wave yet

[@samaeri]

looks sectioney and not all that

[@davidcarver8159]

Perfect? No.

[@thesurfdrop]

Almost!

[@thecrawfish1111]

wow, terribly bad surfing. arm flapping like a bunch of chickens!

[@SabrinaDacosta]

Haha

[@thesurfdrop]

Hey, Tom Curren, is that you?