The Wild History And Charm Of The Second Longest Left In The World

“There’s few surf spots that have as many plot twists as Pavones,” says our absentee Editor-turned-No-Contest-host Ashton Goggans. “It’s probably the most roots place in Costa Rica. It hasn’t changed almost at all since I started coming here almost 25 years ago.”

So how has the second longest wave in the world, often considered one of the best waves in the Northern Hemisphere, remained unspoiled after all these years?

In this episode of Stab and Red Bull’s No Contest, we take a deep dive into Pavones — its rich history and complicated relationship to the American War on Drugs. (The first American extradited in the decades-long disaster has everything to do with putting Pavones on the map, and indirectly for keeping it under wraps all these years later.)

German Olympian and former Vans Stab High contestant Leon Glatzer gives us a crash course on navigating Pavones’ 900 meter wall and the best burrito trucks on the way back up the point. Eva Luna Woodland speaks to the growing number of female surfers raised in Costa Rica making their mark on the world stage. Half-Floridian, Half-Costa Rican, Eva introduces us to the current generation of international talents.

There is a 3.7% chance that if you were on tour this year, you were from Costa Rica—not half bad for a country with a population 65x smaller than the US. While, Carlos Munoz’ blown shoulder at Pipe ensured his CT campaign was over before it started, this year, Costa Rican national Brisa Hennessy topped the podium at Sunset, made the women’s top-5, and was among 10 surfers in the mix for a World Title at Lowers…before Steph swatted her way from fifth to first.

Local legend and second-generation rib expert ‘Grillo’ wraps up the episode with a masterclass on grilling over open wood flames. Forget about asking for his recipe — it’s a thoroughly protected family secret and he ain’t sharing it.

This ep. of No Connie gives a proper taste of Southern Costa Rica’s delicious local cuisine, diverse flora and fauna, and endearing culture of ‘Pura Vida’ – much more than just a catchphrase found on kitsch items in souvenir shops. At a time when more coastal towns are losing their soul to overdevelopment, the charm of Pavones comes because of, not in spite of, its lack of cutting edge infrastructure.

As the Cabina sign reads, ‘There’s no Wifi, talk to each other’.