A common misunderstanding is to believe that social responsibility is something just for big corporations. Greg Gordon, founder of CR Surf Travel Company, knows better than anyone else that it’s not like that.
Inspired by the breathtaking story of Patagonia’s founder Yvon Chouinard, the CR Surf Travel Company was recently nominated Eco-Leader by the 1% for the planet for collaborating with an NGO that protects marine life and empowers kids’ education.
“When we act positively on solving problems instead of ignoring them or trying to find a way around them, we are further along the path toward sustainability.
Every time we’ve elected to do the right thing, it’s turned out to be more profitable.”
Hi Greg! What brought you from the US East Coast to Costa Rica?
The East Coast generally has small waves and long periods when it is completely flat. I grew up in Virginia Beach and also lived in Cocoa Beach, Florida, for 14 years and Miami Beach for two so I know that all too well. Costa Rica is a surfer’s paradise with waves all year, two coastlines (the Pacific and Caribbean), and it is less crowded at many surf breaks than other world class surfing destinations like Hawaii and Bali. I had already lived there for a few years back around 2000 and had made another 40 trips down while teaching in the US full time, so I know the country well.
I wanted a lifestyle where I could live surrounded by nature, eat healthy organic foods, have little traffic, and surf everyday. So I sold most of my belongings, mailed a few boxes back to my family in Virginia, and flew down with just my surfboard, one suitcase, and my cat – Karma.
Did you set-up the CR Surf Travel Company by yourself or with a partner?
When I first moved there in 1998 I lived in a tiny town called Dominical and would get surf reports by friends calling me from other parts of the country. I typed up their reports, printed it out, and posted it around town.
At the time I was learning about websites, search engines, and surf forecasting, and by 1999 I started the CRsurf.com website. It would be another ten years before I became certified as a travel consultant and officially started the company. All of this has been a solo project.
What was the biggest challenge to open an activity there?
So I am surf travel agent. I help plan trips for surfers using the suppliers already available in the country. They are locals, who either are Costa Rican or longtime respected residents who follow the laws, are licensed, and hire Costa Ricans.
My goal is to help them succeed and thereby support the sustainable development of their community. The challenge is to match the surfer to the surf camp or guide that would get them to the waves that meet their skill level and have a good time while visiting.
I start by asking the clients specifically what type of experience they are looking for. I find out how long they have been surfing and what type of waves they are looking for. Then I research the dates they want to arrive, the tides and swell forecast for those dates, and narrow down the region where the waves would be most suitable. I also find out their budget, as some travelers just want a room close to the break while others desire an all-inclusive experience.
Since I have met most all of the owners and managers that I work with, I can trust that they will provide the best service to my clients. If there is an issue, I can call or email them to get it resolved immediately. This makes my service much better than those surf travel sites that just list a bunch of camps and the site employees don’t even surf.
The CR Surf Travel Company’s statement is “see what's happening & then plan your next Costa Rica surf vacation”. Why do you think it’s useful for tourists to know the national news before booking?
With the current situation regarding border closings due to the Covid-19 virus it is very useful to know which countries citizens are even allowed to enter the country. There are also specific times the beaches are open and rules for driving and social gatherings around Costa Rica during the pandemic.
In general, tourists should know what the swell is going to do so they know which breaks will be working best while they are there. They also may choose a particular location because there may be a surf contest taking place, a beach cleanup, or a concert. For example, G-Love comes to Nosara nearly every Thanksgiving to give a benefit concert for the community.
On our website we post upcoming events, community news, and travel specials. Knowing that Witchs Rock Surf Camp is having a 35% off flash sale can save a tourist hundreds of dollars.
Can you tell me more about the reports you publish?
We published our 1000th surf report two months ago. Each week we include original travel articles, surf contest news, community events, and upcoming surf retreats.
We feature discounts on surf lessons, car rentals, surf shops, and hotels that you cannot find anywhere else. And most importantly are the local reports submitted by our partners on both coasts.
They inform the reader of what the waves are doing at their home break, where they think it is going to break best for the weekend, and include local events taking place.
You’re a member of 1% for the planet and you give your 1% to CREMA – El Centro de Rescate de Especies Marinas Amenazadas. Can you comment this choice?
I’ve always been a fan of Yvon Chouinard and his philosophy toward running Patagonia. It is a model for every corporation, a commitment to sustainability and giving back to the community and the environment.
That is why I support the 1% for the Planet movement. I chose CREMA since I volunteered with the organization when I first visited Costa Rica in 1998. For them I recorded sea turtle sightings along the beaches that I surfed.
Then a few years ago there was a tuna farm proposed off the coast of the Golfo Dulce, close to the Pavones surf break. That group helped us raise awareness of the dangers of this aquaculture project to the citizens and petitioned the government to stop the project.
They are vocal advocates of protecting marine in Costa Rica and perform vital research on sea turtles, sharks, and artisanal fishing.
What is your relationship with the local community?
Currently I stay involved by helping to organize beach cleanups in Dominical and Dominicalito. The volunteers are mostly local kids that we feed and give prizes to afterwords, with the support of community businesses like Spicy Life Hot Sauce and Café Mono Congo. I also donate to the Costa Ballena lifeguards and the Dominical recycling program.
Part of the company’s social responsibility is to sponsor a tree for each client that books a trip. Can you tell us a little more about that?
We work with Community Carbon Trees, a Costa Rica non-profit whose mission is to plant trees in Costa Rica and maintain them for four years using fairly paid local labor. One can offset their carbon footprint by planting trees and I am confident that this group follows through with their commitment to see that tree fully grown.
One mature tree can capture enough carbon to equal a four-hour flight.
They hire women to maintain the nurseries and help make composted soil. They host educational 'Tree Days', teaching kids about the rainforest and how to protect it. I also chose this organization since the trees planted become part of the watershed for the beaches that I surf.
Do you have future plans in terms of social responsibility?
I have always believed in social justice and support the Black Lives Matter movement. In the past I volunteered my time with two groups that brought inner city youth to the beach to teach them how to surf and appreciate the ocean.
The first was Street Waves based in Miami Beach and the second is City Surf Project based in San Francisco. I would like to promote their efforts on my website and give travelers an opportunity to donate to these groups and one day could organize a trip for them to come to Costa Rica.
Last but not the least: best surf spot in Costa Rica?
That is such a subjective question. Left? Rights? Point breaks? Barreling reefs? Gentle beach breaks? Costa Rica has it all.
But if I had to pick one place it would be Dominical - not just for the consistent size of the waves and beautiful rainforest covered mountains backdrop, but also the caring community that has always welcomed me back.
Follow CR Surf Travel Company on social media:
IG: @crsurf
FB: CR Surf Travel Company
Interviewed by Irene Vannucci
Human rights enthusiastic, wipe-out lover and chocolate addict, Irene is collaborating with Surfpreneurs Club as Content Creator to inspire you with the most exciting ventures in the surf community.
