First we learned how to get over or under waves we didn't want. It was this moment when real work began - paddling. The key, as Brian explained, is to make sure your shoulders are back, your feet are together and you paddle hard. This is exactly what we did for first 45 minutes or so in water.

Sometime after learning more about basics and techniques, we headed again out to sea to try and catch some waves. The waves were moderately small, so we sat on our boards waiting for a set. As I bounced around like an unbalanced buoy, I noticed something off in horizon about 60 yards out.

"What is that," I said to myself. "There it is again." And just as my eyes squinted enough to focus in, out popped three triangularly shaped fins shuffling southward between waves ahead of us. Our presence went unnoticed as three dark gray dolphins swam perpendicularly past us. It was one of those moments that makes you realize how glad you are to be a long way from your cell phone or any other electronic device. It's refreshing to be completely at mercy of a seemingly infinite body of water. But alas, waves did come and not a moment too soon.

Paddling hard like Brian taught us to, I pushed and pushed to stay in front of quickly growing curl. I crashed and burned on this first wave, but eventually I began to get a grasp of this surfing thing. As we walked back on beach to take a rest, all students gathered in a line so each person could have a photo with Corky Carroll himself. He stood there next to surfboard with a warm grin. Students were excited to have a photo taken with surfing expert, and Corky hwas delighted in opportunity to teach others his tricks of trade.

Corky Carroll, other director of school and ex-professional surfer, explained how a wave could rear its face at you. "Sometimes wind blows against wave ripping off crest. It can leave rest of wave jagged and rough." Overlooking progress of up-and-coming surfers, Corky told story of gnarliest wave he ever

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Josh Edelson, Jetsetters Magazine Correspondent – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com

Puerto Viejo - An area with plenty of surf, but most well-known for biggest and most powerful wave in Costa Rica, "Salsa Brava" or "Mean Salsa". This thick, voluminous, Hawaiian-style wave builds in deep water and breaks on a shallow reef. The right will usually be steep and tubular and its left will also provide a short, but sweet ride. Puerto Viejo is approximately a 3-1/2 hour drive from San José. Plenty of restaurants and hotel accommodations are available in area.

Black Beach, Cahuita - An excellent beach break, not well known and therefore not heavily visited. Nevertheless, there are waves all year around. To reach Black Beach, take road to Puerto Viejo. Take a left about 2 km before Cahuita National Park entrance. After about a ten minute drive from there, you will find point - a well kept secret with a few surfers living in area. The area hosts a variety of food and lodging accommodations.

Westfalia - A stretch of beach breaks extending south from Limón to Cahuita, offering lefts and rights that tend to close out when swell gets too big. Food and lodging accommodations are recommended in Limón or Cahuita.

Uvita Island - An island off coast of Limón where a perfect but dangerous left breaks on a reef. Isla Uvita is about a 20-minute boat ride from Limón with passage available only at certain times of year.

Bonita Beach - A point/reef break known for its very thick, powerful and dangerous left. Access is a short and easy drive up coast from Limón.

The North Caribbean Coast - This endless stench of beach breaks is located along coast of Tortuguero National Park where some of Costa Rica's largest rivers meet Caribbean Sea. Extreme conditions and presence of sharks at these river mouths can deter any hardcore surfer. Most tourists visit area to sportfish at these river mouths or boat through Tortuguero canals and access its rich biodiversity. From July to November visitors come to witness nesting of Green Turtles. Overnight lodging is available. The most practical way to get there is to fly or rent a boat from about 2 km north of Playa Bonita or from a small port 7 km north of Limón.

Potrero Grande - A very remote right point break with very fast and hollow waves, located about 270 kms north of San José with no road access. You can rent a boat out of Playas del Coco or Playa Ocotal. There are no facilities there, but camping is a possibility.

Naranjo Beach (also called Witch's Rock) - One of best beach breaks in country, with very strong offshore winds from December to March. This remote spot is located in Santa Rosa National Park, about 28 km north of Liberia. A good 4WD is a must. For long stays, campgrounds are set up but no facilities are available. It is also possible to boat over from el Coco or Ocotal. Don't forget your mosquito net.

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Jetsetters Magazine Editor – Read Jetsetters Magazine at www.jetsettersmagazine.com To book travel visit Jetstreams.com at www.jetstreams.com and for Beach Resorts visit Beach Booker at www.beachbooker.com