A life story that, with effort and dedication, gives rise to Lásticas Surfboards.

From left to right: Aarón Álvarez, Harold “Gargui” Montero, Freddy Camacho.

A journey of a boy from La Riviera de Belén, Heredia, who dreamed of living on the beach and surfing since childhood. One day, at 17, his dreams led him to try it on the Costa Rican Pacific coast, and the adventure-filled town of Jacó welcomed him, where he would forge his life.

Harold had it in mind to surf as much as possible, but he needed to figure out how to generate income. That's how he started his first coastal job cleaning cabins, which gave him money and time to do what he loved most.

“Gargui” as he is known to his friends, then combined two jobs, one in bicycle mechanics during the day and another in cooking at night, however, one day the bicycle business did not advance any further and that was when he asked Eduard Garry for a job, repairing boards, a job that without knowing at that moment would shape his life in the trade.

Some time later, Garry and Montero's relationship ended. However, the young surfboard enthusiast decided to start his own workshop in the Pochotal area of ​​Garabito. For a long time, "Gargui" focused solely on repairing boards for local surfers, until one day Luis Vindas, a surfer from Jacoba, suggested he try making surfboards. It was a new venture for Harold, but one he embraced as an opportunity, and it proved to be, as it led to more work with local shapers in laminating and sanding boards.

Harold has been living on the coast for 26 years and in recent years has settled permanently in the Quebrada Amarilla area. Thanks to a friend, Jhonny Marín, he was able to acquire a property to live in and create his own workshop. Although it is a bit far from the Playa Hermosa and Jacó area, his loyal customers keep him active.

In this article, “Gargui” tells us more about his entire career as a repairer, laminator, sander, and his most recent role as a surfboard shaper with the brand “Lásticas Surfboards,” where he applies all the knowledge he has acquired over so many years in the surf industry.

How did you get started in the world of surfboard shaping?

I started in the world of "shaping" a year and a half ago. I got into the field because I have a workshop for repairing, laminating and sanding boards. I just needed to have my own brand and that's how "Lásticas Surfboards" started .

How many years have you been familiar with the surfboard industry?

I have been involved with surfboards for twenty-two years and started by repairing, then sanding and laminating, so that today I can carry out the entire process.

What do you find most exciting about making surfboards?

I'm passionate about how surfboards perform on the waves and seeing my clients happy with my work. In fact, I always try to find out if the work I've done meets the client's expectations so I can grow in knowledge and satisfaction.

What do you consider the most difficult thing about surfboard shaping?

The most difficult thing I find is the rails of the boards; the transition from them is difficult. I like the rails to be perfectly round and as accurate as possible, which requires some care when working on them.

How has the pandemic affected you, being such a new business?

It has been very difficult, beaches closed, zero tourism, I haven't had much work, it's very difficult to start a new project where there is no money.

How do you define what type of board a surfer should use?

First we ask questions about what type of boards he has used, his weight, his surfing level, whether he has a favorite board or one that has worked well for him.

Do you have any anecdotes you'd like to share from your time as a board maker?

Perhaps not an anecdote, but a curious fact: usually when someone brings me a board to copy measurements and make another one just like it, I'm surprised to find that the measurements vary from what the board says. I think this happens in the sanding process done by the "shaper" they hire, since the machines manufacture the boards, but the final sanding can slightly modify the measurements.

“Gargui” currently has around 25 boards manufactured and is currently sponsoring the national surfer Aarón Álvarez, who feels very comfortable with his product.

To contact Harold and inquire about his prices, you can call the phone number 84 39 36 68.

Written by: Enrique Hernández

General Management: Marco Montero