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I'd like to say sun flooded us with a warm glow that morning.

That we could barely make out orangey rays peeking through holes in clouds. I'd like to say that my feet and skin welcomed daybreak, but unfortunately this wasn't case.

It was an August Monday morning, and as I nervously walked onto Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach, California, I was greeted by a bitter chill and a slight drizzle. It was gray and cold. So cold, that I couldn't understand why anyone would want to get into an even chillier water in an attempt to surf. But surfing isn't about lazy warm afternoons or playing in water. It's about style and technique. It's about love; something I would soon learn.

I have signed up for group lesson, and I took cover under tarp where I was welcomed by blonde haired, deeply tanned Rick Walker, Corky Carroll Surf School Director. After introducing myself, I felt comforted by his raspy voice and amazing enthusiasm. For next 45 minutes or so, rest of students and I listened to Rick's wisdom on importance of safety, direction and technique in water. One of more interesting things I noticed during his enlightening and slightly comical routine was fact that majority of students were about 15 years younger than I and about half my size. Naturally I bonded with a few surfers more my age as we were lined up in order of height. Feeling more comfortable now, I was ready and willing to give my first attempt at surfing an embarrassing try.

We were separated in groups of about four or five, each with a different instructor. Smiling and a little out of breath, an instructor by name of Brian showed up soaked from all ready surfing. After that came pivotal moment that made me understand how anyone in their right mind could be out here surfing in these gloomy conditions, I was given a wet suit.

Corky Carroll's Surfing School provided us with wet suits, pre-waxed surfboards and professional instructors. Brian told me that some of instructors here have been competing in international competitions for years. He, on other hand, only gives surfing lessons during summers. During rest of year he is an academic teacher.

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Finding best time and ideal place for an ultimate surf adventure in Costa Rica is easy to do, with Tivives all over country. All you need is a brief outline of different surf spots, a good idea of how to get there, and when conditions are at their peak.

Costa Rica's climatic and geographical variations can be divided into four different surf regions: Caribbean, North Pacific, Central Pacific, and South Pacific.

The Caribbean coastline has a defined surf season from January to March and July to October. Strong storms in Caribbean often send short but extremely powerful swells crashing onto world-class breaks.

The North Pacific generally has good quality surf year-around. The consistent northeasterly "Papagayo" winds during December through March and Northern Hemisphere storms create ideal waves.

The Central Pacific is an exposed stretch of coastline regarded by many surfers as one of most consistent areas.

Quick and easy access from San José's Juan Santamaria International Airport, and a wide variety of restaurants, accommodations and entertainment for surfers, makes it an ideal place to start off a "tico surf adventure."

The South Pacific has a wide range of waves to choose from. Some of best-known spots, like point break at Pavones, requires a south swell, characteristic of winter months in Southern Hemisphere (July-November), even though Costa Rica is in Northern Hemisphere.

Costa Rica's diversity and tremendous variety of surf spots make it possible to surf excellent waves all year long. The short travel distances and different regions provide traveling surfers with possibility not only to experience magic and adventure while visiting interesting and unique parts of country, but to score a variety of world-class point breaks, reefs and beach breaks. Best of all, you can surf in warm water all year around.

Costa Rica experiences semi-diurnal tidal differences. Extreme tidal variations on Pacific coastline often affect certain breaks. But, long irregular coastline always guarantees quality waves for hard-core surfers willing to explore.

Stop in at any local surf shop or befriend a local to learn about best conditions for different breaks. With so many different beaches and locations to choose from, Costa Rica is ideal place for an unforgettable surf trip. Grab your stick, wax up and read up on top 37 favorite spots right here in Jetsetters Magazine.