Forgive the horribly distasteful pun but with the movie “Soul Surfer” released this week about the tragic to heroic Bethany Hamilton who lost an arm to a shark while surfing,  one can’t help but consider such a morbid question (thanks to Steven Spielberg.) 

Asking questions is one thing- being part of the solution is another. Take Shaka Surf School in Costa Rica, helmed by Frank Bauer and his partner Chris Mo’e. Aside from their surf camp being a world class destination (http://www.ShakaCostaRica.com) they run not-for-profit Ocean’s Healing Group weeklong sessions for people with special needs. They are the world’s first ever Adaptive Surf Camp. Regardless of one’s emotional or physical aptitude, all people, specially-abled or otherwise, emerge from the water with joy after surfing at Shaka Costa Rica.

A shaka sign – the unmistakable pinky and thumb salute – is the ultimate symbol of aloha and local culture in Hawaii. Interpreted to mean “hang loose” or “right on,” the shaka is a constant reminder that in the world of surfing it is the norm to chill.

Shaka is featured as the cover art on the MGMT album “Congratulations” designed by Anthony Ausgang http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpfM_dr6nac&feature=youtube_gdata_player

so it is not just a mere coincidence that Andrew VanWyngarden’s muse, actress Veronica Grey chose to attend Shaka Costa Rica, where coaches like Jerry Thomas treated her like one would expect with the Tropic Thunder connections:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk3RUFiEHXY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Such surf schools are for everyone – not just actresses like Veronica Grey who may go to learn how to surf or improve their surfing, because we are not all born with Cameron Diaz’  natural athletic ability!

Speaking of surfing talent, entrepreneur and reality TV personality Gloria Armond helms the Blue Surf Sanctuary surf camp in Costa Rica

. (http://www.bluesurfsanctuary.com) Sponsored by Billabong, it is no surprise that Veronica Grey is also  treated like surf royalty there, perhaps because of her friendship with Billabong surf champion Keala Kennelly.

Some of Veronica’s fondest surfing memories include the times Keala would win a contest and gift her trophy to Veronica – mostly because Keala won so many that she just didn’t know what to do with them.

However you don’t have to be this connected to receive excellent attention at BSS – they stand out as the premiere Billabong surf school in Costa Rica due to the magical energy present and the amazing staff that share more than just the skills of learning to surf, but the love, philosophy, and art of the lifestyle which is life transforming.

Whether you say “Shaka-Brah” or “Pura Vida” one thing is for sure, the only way to paddle out is look for the LULL between the waves.

This is advice from intermediate surfer Veronica who often visualizes the Smashing Pumpkins album hoping to manifest a lull from the Universe while being caught in the “washing machine” of surf wave aftermath. A source close to Veronica reveals she loves Costa Rica for surfing above all other countries in the world because the water is almost as warm as a bath andthere are no sharks!!! And thanks to top notch surf camps like Shaka Costa Rica and Blue Surf Sanctuary, surfing will NOT cost you an arm or a leg!!!

But dinner with Steven Spielberg might

Veronica Grey and Steven Spielberg

Other actors who surf include Sean Penn, Viggo Mortensen, Tom Cruise, and Keanu Reeves. Even Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers also had a role in “Point Break.”

The hot new trend of kite-surfing has been adopted by Jason Lewis.

There are stories all over the Internet about how he recently saved a girl’s life while kite-boarding. Veronica Grey applauds his bravado and supports many causes as Jason does –for example how can anyone who loves the ocean still eat fish when 90% of the big fish in the sea are going extinct thanks to humans? Please become a vegetarian and allow the ocean to catch back up!!!

As a seasoned snowboarder Veronica claims paddling out is quite a challenge: “I paddle out and see these guys with huge guns and all I have are my puny toothpick-like arms to catch waves. It hardly seems fair.When people said surfing is their life, I had no idea what that meant until I learned for myself how much training, discipline, and dedication it takes. I used to see surfers as slacker punks but now I know this couldn’t be further from the truth. Before when I met surfersI used to think, ‘whatever.’ But now if I meet someone who says that all they want to do with their life is surf I am like, ‘right on’!”

Now that surfing is her life, she has adjusted her sleep schedule to match tides and her diet to ensure proper nutrition simply to have enough energy to paddle. She also states that she will never again be bored or have that restless energy since surfing takes a lot out of you. Leonardo DiCaprio paddlesurfs, but she cryptically says it is not as fun as Skypediving on his wave.
Veronica has also recently kicked all synthetic substances just in time to party CLEAN with Depeche Mode’s Dave Gahan at the MusiCares event in LA May 6. “I finally found the best high ever. It took me all these years to find surfing but I finally did.”

Veronica profusely thanks Stevie and Tree Trujillo of SprinterLife.com – the inspirational couple driving around the world, YES DRIVING around the ENTIRE WORLD with their beloved dog Kiki for inviting her to meet them in Costa Rica and infusing her life with surf at School of the World in Jaco.

Livin’ La Pura Vida Loca!!!!!!!!!