The Pura Vida Ride second annual standup paddle challenge will take place in Playa Danta, Costa Rica on June 23^rd, 2012. This event will benefit the “Guardians of Peace” at the local La Paz Community School. According to Pura Vida Ride Adventure Tours, the distance race will unfold over 9.4 kilometers, starting at Playa Danta and racing around Isla Plata, located off Flamingo Point, and back to Playa Danta.

The Sprint race will be 4 kilometers in distance and will circuit around 3 buoys located close to the beach. This race is designed to be challenging and exciting for both the contestants and also for everyone on the beach. Racers will have to paddle through the surf zone multiple times, battling waves, white water, and their fellow racers.

The Family Race is the most fun race of all, the rules are simple: any human powered, floating vessel is allowed with a minimum of two people on board. The race will be 1.3 kilometers in distance around the race buoys once. A special prize category will receive an award for the most creative boat. Judges of the most creative boat will be a selection of first grade students from La Paz Community School.

The 2012 Pura Vida Ride Paddle Battle will also Feature music, pickup volleyball games, slack line challenges, great food, coffee, and more. It is a family event for competitors and spectators. Pura Vida Ride Adventure Tours in Costa Rica has changed the race course this to year to make it more challenging and exciting, as well as more rewarding!

The competition paddle boards will be limited to 12’6″ in length. There will be two race classes, one for women and the other for men. Both classes will receive prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places. A chase boat with support services and first aid medic will be provided for the race.

Personal hydration systems such as Camelbaks are strongly recommended.

Pura Vida Ride can arrange lodging to out of town race contestants, their families and spectators. They have partnered with three great hotels and luxury homes to offer 20% off of their normal rates for this event:

• Las Catalinas is home to Pura Vida Ride at Playa Danta. The homes are spacious, luxurious, and perfect for families coming for the weekend.
• Hotel Sugar Beach is located 1 km south of Pura Vida Ride and a 10 minute paddle around the point!
• Hotel Bahia del Sol is located 4 km south of Pura Vida Ride on the beach in Playa Potrero.

Sponsored by Pura Vida Ride, Lola’s Norte, and Surftech. Register your attendance on their Event Page, and pay your entry fee on race day.