A surfer in Playa Avellanas, province of Guanacaste, tragically passed away yesterday despite cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) efforts that lasted more than 30 minutes. National newspaper La Nacion identified the dearly departed as Francis Gianvalbo of the United States, who had reportedly begun to enjoy his retirement in Costa Rica only three months ago.

The report by on-the-scene correspondent Cynthia Bran indicates that Mr. Gianvalbo’s demise was precipitated by a wipeout. He had been in the surf for a few hours and looked tired, yet stoked; alas, his session came to an end when a heavy wave in his set knocked him off balance.

Red Cross rescuers interviewed by Ms. Bran explained that Mr. Gianvalbo hit his head on the rocks that the Avellanas break is noted for. By the time the Red Cross paramedics arrived from Santa Cruz, good Samaritans and a local doctor were already giving him CPR. Officer Alexander Rodriguez from the local Fuerza Publica (Costa Rica’s national police force) detachment added that the expat was surfing with friends, but that his final wave was particularly strong.

The fatal surfing mishap occurred on the break located close to the Olas (waves) restaurant in Playa Avellanas, a top surfing sot that is part of Costa Rica’s Gold Coast beaches in Guanacaste. September conditions at Avellanas have been fantastic; surfers have reported plenty of A-frames splitting as they break left or right. Barrels are not unusual at Avellanas, but this break is not known to be glassy. It pays to study the rocks along the shore during low tide and make notes as to their location in order to avoid them.

Surfing Conditions at Playa Avellanas

In April 2012, The Costa Rica Star reported on the efforts of Fuerza Publica and the Board of Tourism (Spanish initials: ICT) to bring awareness about rip currents and other aquatic risks at Avellanas and several other beaches in the Gold Coast in Guanacaste, which has been brimming with tourists and surfers over the past few years. Although Playa Avellanas is not one of the most dangerous beaches in Costa Rica; it is not one of the safest.

Officer Rodriguez noted that there have been two surfing fatalities along the Gold Coast beaches in the last five days, and he asked all swimmers and surfers to be cautious in the break. Local surfer Cristian Barrantes told La Nacion that many riders tend to be careless during this time of the year, and that bailing out tired surfers is something that happens often.