“Pipa” tells us his life story and how he ended up in Playa Hermosa selling products to surfers.

A humble, honest man with a big heart, that's how we could describe Juan Antonio Villarreal, better known in the surfing community and to visitors of Playa Hermosa as "Pipa".

A true fighter who overcame prostate cancer and remains healthy at fifty-eight years old.

He is “Pipa”, a great example of struggle and overcoming adversity, and he tells us his life story in this article.

Where is Juan Antonio Villarreal originally from?

I was born and raised in Orotina and twelve years ago I came to this area of ​​Quebrada Amarilla and here we are.

How long have you been selling products here in Playa Hermosa?

I've been serving surfers for about twelve years, since I came from my hometown. I started with coconut water and little by little I've added more products like Pura Vida and El Almendro sunscreens, as well as Rachell's cakes for food.

How did the idea of ​​doing this work in Playa Hermosa come about?

When I arrived here I noticed there were many surfers and I thought the business could work out, and today I thank all the surfers who have helped me so much and are still here.

How many hours a day do you dedicate to the business here in Playa Hermosa?

I work here while the surfers are in the water, and then around midday or two in the afternoon I go home to get ready for the next day.

How did the idea for this business of selling pipes come about?

It is thanks to my mother's legacy, who always taught me to work in commerce and we almost always had fruits and seeds in Orotina and when I arrived here, the idea of ​​implementing this business for surfers was born.

How have you managed to survive during this time with the beaches closed and the COVID-19 situation?

That's why I'm so grateful to the surfers, since most of them have helped me a lot with food, and I'm also a Jehovah's Witness and the congregation has helped me, but overall I'm very grateful to both for their great support.

What do you think about the reopening of Playa Hermosa and the different beaches in the country?

I think it's great because business was at a standstill and I was personally a bit entangled with the property issue, since I owed almost two months' rent and I also need to repair the car properly to take it for its technical inspection, but thank God we're getting there.

Have you ever had any problems with the municipality or the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE)?

No, thank God I've never had any problems, quite the contrary, the head of Minae here in Playa Hermosa helped me with the municipality and mentioned that I work as a car watcher and also take care of the protected areas, and I'm very grateful to both entities.

Do you have any message you'd like to give to the surfers who have helped you during this time?

Of course, I have to give many thanks to the surfers who have helped me a lot with my illness. I am a cancer survivor and although I still have treatment to finish, the doctor discharged me and I have to go for a check-up in a year, since I have progressed well and from the bottom of my heart I thank all those people who in one way or another have given me support.

Written by: Enrique Hernández

General Management: Marco Montero