- Program
- Surf and Service, Costa Rica
- Traveled
- July 2025
- Hometown
- Leawood, Kansas
In this first-person account, Ava Towner of Leawood, Kansas, looks back on Rustic Pathways’ Surf and Service program in Costa Rica in July 2025, with photos from the trip.
Ava describes a first time surfing, a boat day, meals at Lola’s, and evenings gathered around a guitar.
Ava’s First Time Surfing in Costa Rica
Hi, my name is Ava Towner and over the summer I went on the Costa Rica Surf and Service trip! This trip was so much fun, and I’m so happy I did it. I’ll always remember the memories and friends I made on it.
On the trip we did so many different activities! It was my first time surfing which was a really cool experience.
Boat Day, Lola’s and Guitar Nights in Costa Rica
My favorite part was hanging out with everybody especially during our boat day, when we would go to eat at Lola’s, and when we would all sit around the guitar every night. I also miss my hammock time a lot!!!
What Ava Took Home From Surf and Service
Thank you so much to my program leaders for making the trip great, and Rustic Pathways for this amazing opportunity!!!
Ava describes the memories and friends that came home from Costa Rica. The memories concern the July 2025 session, and Ava first shared them on the Rustic Pathways Instagram account on January 7, 2026.
The program still runs as Costa Rica: Surf and Service. It runs 8 days for students ages 14–18, with five days of surf lessons on the Pacific coast and about 12 hours of beach and community service. See the program page for the current itinerary, dates and activities.
