Tico Kids Ride Free
by Marlise Kast
posted 2006-08-24

Costa Rican children are finally getting their chance to surf for free after years of resorting to broken pieces of lumber. Samara surf shop owner, Chris Foerster has established a nonprofit foundation to help raise money for Tico kids in need of surfboards.

"Day after day these kids sit and watch tourists surf, but they never have the opportunity themselves," says Foerster, 43. "They build boards out of discarded wood and sometimes trade fresh fish and lobster for a chance to ride on a real board. It's sad that finances are depriving these children of one of life's greatest pleasures."

On August 12, Foerster and his staff at C & C Surf School provided a day of free lessons to the local children of Samara. In addition, C & C donated all the proceeds from rentals, repairs and tours to this worthy cause.

The bi-annual event not only exposed children to the sport but also educated them on how to use boards responsibly. Over 100 children turned up for the charity benefit, experiencing for the first time how it felt to walk on water.

C & C's ultimate goal however, is to raise $2,000 dollars so all local children can surf for free. Any additional donations will go towards the purchase of board shorts and rash guards for Samara's youth.

"We will operate the project on a library system," explains Foerster. "Kids who maintain a 'B' average in school can 'check out' boards during their free time."

As an added incentive, C & C Surf Shop will provide boards, repairs, wax and daily beach transport. Foerster, who launched Samara's first surf shop in May of 2004 has also been an advocate for environmental awareness. His volunteer programs promote beach cleanup, recycling programs and several projects to save Costa Rica's indigenous Montevallo tree. Foerster also recommends that tourists donate their used boards to Tico children rather than sell them back to his surf shop.

As a Colorado native, Foerster says his grass roots efforts were put into action shortly after he moved to Costa Rica in 1994. With help from his wife Janice, Foerster operates Samara's leading surf school, repair shop and tour company. The couple also own twenty luxury cabanas that overlook the breathtaking coastline. Despite his personal success, Foerster says his priority these days is sharing his passion for surfing.

"Costa Rica has more than enough waves to go around," adds Foerster. "All we need now are a few boards to share with the next generation."

For more information contact Chris at Foerstercl@aol.com
C & C Surf Shop
150 n. 150 e. Plaza de la Portes
Samara, Nicoya, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

All proceeds will benefit Tico children.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Through her profession as a freelance writer, Marlise recently completed a thirteen-month surfing and snowboarding adventure. After reporting from twenty-eight countries around the world, she has "settled" in San Diego where she is placing the finishing touches on her first book, The Tabloid Prodigy.

Her passion for journalism flourished shortly after college during her three-year assignment as an investigative reporter. Marlise spent the next five years in Europe writing for snowboard and travel magazines while perfecting her German, French and Spanish. Now based in California, Marlise continues her quest for liquid mountains and untracked terrain as she innocently wanders the world with blissful contentment.