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GYC2136 - Surfing and turtle conservation Country: Costa Rica Cost: £695.00 Please note: 2 weeks - £845.00 Cost Includes: The price includes accommodation, food and pickup from airport but does not include flight, insurance, kit or visas     Duration: 1 week (1 - 2 weeks) Company Rep Nearby: All the time 0845 344 7592 or

 

	This placement would suit... those who love the great outdoors (and Costa Rica has some great outdoors!) A real desire to help an endangered animal is important too as it will keep you going on those long days! You do not need to be able to surf but you must be a good swimmer and have a fun and positive attitude, which will come in handy if you keep falling off! The work and lessons are hard so be prepared to fall asleep exhausted each day. Costa Rica literally means 'the rich coast', and it is an archetypal tropical paradise. If you’re interested in volunteering in Costa Rica, you’ll receive a warm welcome at the many conservation projects that attempt to minimize the impact of the ever-increasing tourist development. If you are looking for some fun while you volunteer then this project in the beautiful Nicoya Peninsula needs you on board. You will be learning to surf and using your skills to conserve the local sea turtle population. For two weeks, you will be living on the beach - surfing lessons and supervised surf practice together with beach patrolling, research gathering and preparing turtle hatcheries. Providing you can swim, love the outdoors and have a passion for working with animals you will make waves. Project details: Wow! This project provides you with the best of Costa Rica in the shape of turtle conservation and surfing lessons. Situated on the beautiful beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula, you can pack a truly wonderful experience into 2 short weeks. Working with a Costa Rican NGO, the municipal government and a local surf school, you take an active part in vital efforts to conserve the Olive Ridley, Black, Hawksbill and Leatherback turtles. All this, combined with daily surfing lessons, adds up to a rewarding and fun project. Why the project needs volunteers: Turtles are under threat in Costa Rica and volunteers are really needed to help out with conservation efforts. This is your opportunity to play a part in an ongoing struggle to save a remarkable piece of Costa Rica's heritage. Turtle poaching is very common in Costa Rica and before the conservation projects started up the poaching rate was over 95% however this has now decrease to 10% but volunteers are needed to continue protecting these marvelous creatures. Your role as a volunteer: Your day will be filled with a combination of surfing lessons, supervised surf practice and also turtle conservation. You could get involved with night beach patrolling, research gathering and preparing turtle hatcheries. You will work 6 days a week and have one day off a week to be arranged with the project. Where the project is based: The project is based on the beautiful Nicoya Peninsula, the nearest town being Samara. It's the perfect place if you want to swim, surf, and relax. You will be staying in beach hut or tented accommodation, they have just added a cold running water pipe but the conditions are still very basic. You need to fly into San Jose International Airport (SJO) on your official arrival date. "The volunteers from i-to-i, together with the local NGO, are helping the project develop even further, to help in the conservation of Marine Turtles - to protect the future of these endangered species." Project Leader: Surf and save turtles in Costa Rica 0845 344 7592 i-to-i: We pride ourselves in a high level of service to ensure that all our gap year travellers get the most our of their meaningful travel. With Teaching, Community Development, Conservation, Sports, Media and Health placements in 24 countries, we can offer you the meaningful gap year that you want.