The government of Costa Rica declared Surf as a sport of public interest, under Law 9737, due to the importance of this sport for the economy and the tourism sector.
The ceremony was held this Friday in Playa Hermosa, Jacó, Puntarenas, this was a historic event in the country since this is the first sport to receive this distinction. The third Saturday of October was also declared National Surf Day, therefore, today Saturday, October 19, is the first celebration of National Surf Day.
President Carlos Alvarado explained that this legal frame will promote the integration of cultural experiences related to the activity as well as the economic reactivation and tourism reactivation surrounding the strengthening of the practice of this non-traditional sport which has had great national and international impact.
The initiative states that the Costa Rican Institute of Sports and Recreation (ICODER) and the Costa Rican Tourism Board along with the municipalities will be responsible for taking actions and promoting activities for the practice of this sport in commemoration of its day and to promote the country as an ideal place for the practice of this sport.
Randall Chaves, president of the National Surf Federation commented that this announcement comes at a great time for national surf, “we want to seek new employment opportunities for coastal zones, for example by certifying surf instructors and lifeguards”.
This declaration of public interest also represents the allocation of funds that will go to improve beaches where this sport is practiced, the training of lifeguards, and the generation of new employment opportunities related to the sport.
The initiative was promoted by congressman Melvin Nuñez who defended the importance of this sport in social development, the tourism sector and the local economy. (https://news.co.cr/surf-declared-of-public-interest-in-costa-rica/80545/)
