Jairo Zúñiga Orias
Co-Founder, Director Of Surf
meet
Jairo Zúñiga Orias
Co-Founder, Director of Surf
Surf Background (the super-short version)
Jairo Zúñiga Orias is a native Costa Rican surfer. He was born and raised at our home base in Sámara Beach, as a matter of fact, where he taught himself to surf starting when he was only 6 years old! By the time he was 15, Jairo was surfing on the Costa Rica national surf circuit! On top of his regular involvement with our guests, surf lessons, surf camps and surf trips, Jairo also continues to compete, both in Costa Rica and internationally to this day.
Founding of Costa Rica Surf Trip
Upon Co-Founding Costa Rica Surf Trip LLC / CR Surf Trip SA, Jairo also became the Director of Surf for our trips and vacation packages throughout the country. In addition to his native language, Spanish, Jairo is also able to speak English fluently, and can instruct in both languages proficiently. Besides his language skills, Jairo is dedicated to his craft as a teacher, concerned with all aspects of staff and guest safety, and an integral part of our offerings. He is an international surf coach and certified surf instructor (one of less than 30 International Surf Association (ISA) certified instructors in the country - look him up: Jairo Zúñiga Orias). Aside from being one of few certified instructors in the country, his lifetime of surfing wisdom as well as competition as a professional surfer certainly make Jairo and our team the most sought after instructors and coaches available in Costa Rica!
Jairo's Role
As the Director of Surf, Jairo is the leader of our team and actively participates in our surf lessons and surf coaching. He heads our Costa Rica surf camps and vacation packages and also hand picks our instructors for locations throughout the country. Because of this, your lessons and coaching sessions are always in good hands!
International Status
You may recognize the name "Jairo Zúñiga Orias" from more than just international surf competitions! Jairo is a sought-after international surf coach and has traveled short-term to direct surf camps and lessons in New York for over 10 years. There, he provides surf lesson instruction for children and adults of all ages and abilities! Jairo is the current director for the adult summer surf camps for Skudin Surf, where he both teaches lessons to beginner and intermediate surfers, and coaches the high performance students. During his time in New York, he also instructs disabled and disadvantaged students through the non-for-profit, Surf for All. While we miss him in Costa Rica during that time, on the positive side it offers many potential guests the opportunity to meet Jairo in person and get a sample of surfing with our director before they join us in Costa Rica!
Certifications
International Surfing Association (ISA)
Certified Surf Instructor
International Lifesaving Federation (ILS) & International Surfing Association (ISA)
Certified Lifeguard
American Red Cross
CPR & AED Professional Rescue Certified
testimonials
What they say
My instructor, Jairo, is world class. He makes sure to cover all the basics with you and gives you a goal to work on for the day. Jairo really takes the time to coach on each wave, letting you know what was good if it went well, and what you could work on or have done differently if it didn't go so well on that wave. He was so patient and if I didn't understand a concept right away, he'd find different ways to explain it so I did. I feel like he really adapted to my style of learning and was able to pick the perfect waves and time of day for my skill set.
We did a video review session mid week and I could already see the progress from the beginning to mid-week. My coach really helped with my wave reading and knowing where to line up and when to paddle. He also gave me some paddling techniques that really helped. I've been surfing almost 2 years now and no one ever actually taught me 'how' to paddle. I felt like I was moving through the water so much quicker and easier after he showed me.
I will be going home with a new found confidence I didn't have before I came. If you really want to increase your skills and take your surfing to a new level I can't recommend Costa Rica Surf Trip enough.
"Jairo is a truly gifted athlete and an even better instructor"
Suzy d'Amato
I can’t recommend surf camp and coaching highly enough – Jairo is a truly gifted athlete and an even better instructor. Everyone can benefit from time in the water with him, whether you’ve surfed your whole life or want to try it for the first time. I’m already planning a return trip to Costa Rica, hopefully the second of many, and wouldn’t dream of traveling with anyone else.
Jairo did a great job with planning out locations based on my skill level, and the coaching was amazing! Super patient and encouraging, so much fun, and upped my skills tremendously, even in just a short time.
"Took us to some of
the best waves
in the country"
Alex d'Amico
Booked:
Guided Surf Trips
Surf Photography
They took us to some of the best waves in the country, very friendly and communication is super easy. Booked one day in advance and added on a second trip. The service does not get any better!
Not only did we get an amazing surf lesson but they let is know about a bunch of great local spots and activities to fill the rest of our time here.
Our instructor was patient and kind and even though we were rank beginners he got both my wife and I riding waves the first day. They knew exactly which beach to take us to at which time as beginners based on the time of year. It was clear they knew their stuff.
I seriously cannot recommend these guys enough - we will certainly use them again when we come back to Costa Rica.