The President of the Association mentions that surfing is vital for tourism and youth on the Caribbean coast.

In an appeal to the relevant government authorities, Mike Castro, current president of the Limón Educational Surf Sports Association, requests an extension of the hours imposed by the Ministry of Health for the practice of surfing.

Castro makes the request, emphasizing the importance of surfing for the mental and physical health of young people, as well as the education and discipline it fosters in the Caribbean region's younger generations. The Association also highlights the sport's importance to local tourism and commerce.

“We have a project called “Waves and Smiles” which focuses on motivating behavioral changes through surf therapy techniques. It has had a significant impact on helping children, as they often end up hanging out in the neighborhoods and on street corners. These kids come from marginalized families where their parents work to support their families, and the children end up in the neighborhoods, leading to several fights among them. Another issue to consider is the number of people who work night shifts and therefore won't be able to enjoy the beaches because they won't have the energy or the desire to go to the sea , ” Mike Castro explained.

Mike proposes an afternoon opening, with the time slot being from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, in order to work with all the kids from the Caribbean sector.
This proposal is submitted for the entire country and hopes it will be taken into account.

Castro mentions that the current schedule makes it difficult for many children to attend due to the issue of parental authorization and accompaniment because it is so early, and also because not everyone has easy access to transportation at those hours.

“Children are exposed in the neighborhoods because, unable to go surfing or fulfill their normal role at school, they have time to learn negative things, and this whole situation generates stress that leads to fights among the children,” Castro added.

Mike Castro also mentions that he hopes the Government has a good proposal for reactivating trade in the Caribbean area, since they have been greatly affected.

The Ministry of Health will announce new guidelines on June 1st, and it is expected that, if everything continues with a positive outcome, the beaches will be fully reopened by the thirteenth of that same month, provided that it is managed under the concept of social bubbles.

Written by: Enrique Hernández

General Management: Marco Montero