The Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica has formally approved the bill that establishes National Surfing Day.
The commission, which analyzed Bill 21.241, has unanimously voted in favor of considering the practice and development of surfing as of economic, sporting, tourist, and public interest.
The unprecedented move in Costa Rican sport confirms that National Surf Day will be celebrated every third Sunday of October.
Thus, on October 19, 2019, the Costa Rica Surfing Federation (FSC), together with the Costa Rican Sports Institute (ICODER), will celebrate the first national day of any sport in the country.
A Historic Day for Surfing
As a result, all disciplines within wave riding and recognized by FSC - shortboard surfing, longboarding, bodyboarding, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), SUP race, and skimboarding - will be protected.
"Today is a historic day, not only for surfing but for Costa Rica's sport in general," stated Randall Chaves, president of FSC.
"With this declaration worked by Deputy Nuñez Piña and his entire team, we hope that, from now on, state institutions will give us full support."
"We want to look for new employment opportunities in coastal areas, for example, by developing surf instructors and lifeguards certified by the National Learning Institute (INA)."
"We seek to reduce the impact of drowning deaths in Costa Rica, as well as increase the tourism experience in these areas."
Interestingly, the bill was approved by deputies from six different legislative factions - it was also the first project approved by this commission in recent years.
Costa Rica's National Surfing Day should be officially sanctioned in the next few days by the President of the Republic, Carlos Alvarado.