New Kid on the Block: Kevin Montiel
Safari is stoked to introduce our newest instructor Kevin Montiel. This kid is a fireball of dynamic energy in the water. He is in superb condition and devotedly surfs 4-6 hours each day. The first time I saw him surfing here really blew me away – I look up to see this guy just blazing across the blue face of a head high wave, subtly weighting and unweighting his board and pumping for maximum speed and trim. It was the fasted I have ever seen anyone go on a wave in Guiones, or anywhere for that matter. Kevin is well known in the surfing ranks here and is a top-notch competitor on the National Pro Surf Circuit and the locally promoted Nosara Triple Crown of Suring. You never see him without a huge smile, he is polite and affable and a pleasure to talk to.
PL: Hey Kevin welcome to the Safari Team!
KEVIN: Thanks man, so stoked to be here
PL: So where are you from?
KEVIN: I was born in San Jose but have lived in Nosara all my life
PL: When did you start surfing?
KEVIN: I started when I was 10 years old. I’m 18 now so I’ve been surfing for 8 years
PL: You are very dialed into the contest circuit here, when did you start competing?
KEVIN: I started surfing in contests when I was 11 in the mini-grom division
PL: And now?
KEVIN: I surf in the Juniors division. I am #1 ranked in the Nosara Triple Crown Series
PL: Where have you traveled to compete?
KEVIN: All over Costa Rica. Last year I got to go to the East Coast Surfing Championships in Virginia Beach, it was a great experience.
PL: Wow dude I surfed in that contest in 1968, I feel old!
The Future
The Past – young Kevin Me in 1968
PL: What are the “strong points: in your surfing?
KEVIN: Aerials and power carves!
Kevin in Flight!
Blazing Speed!
Power and Style!
PL: How did you become interested in becoming an instructor?
KEVIN: My brother Luigi started a small surf school here and I started there.
I liked teaching but it was hard to working with family, you know?
When Tyler called and asked if I wanted to work at Safari I was so stoked, a dream come true!
PL: What do you like about it?
KEVIN: Safari brings in guests who stay for a week, so you really get to
know them and can work with their strengths and weaknesses. It is very satisfying to see them improve over the week. I also love teaching the kids.
Hard at Work
Fun with the Kiddos
PL: I always see you with Nuria, is she your novia?
KEVIN: Oh yes, for sure!
Nuria & Kevin
PL: With you surfing 6 hours a day how do you have time to see her?
KEVIN: She is out there surfing with me!
Nuria Styling!
Thanks for reading!
Pura vida,
Peter
