We’re thrilled to chat with Erika Berra, Puerto Viejo local and Costa Rica’s 2024 National Surf Circuit champion in both the Open and Junior women’s categories. Special thanks to Erika for sharing a few snapshots from her life as a professional surfer, plus some inspiring words of wisdom to encourage all of us toward living our surfer girl dreams.
It feels great! One of my objectives was to be the national champion again, this time in the Junior under-18 category, since I previously competed in the under-16 age group and it’s my first year competing as an under-18.
Winning the Open women’s category was also my goal. After winning the first national circuit event, which was also the first time winning in this category, I gained more and more confidence and it became another objective to achieve. Thanks to my contest scores, I reached that goal and I’m very happy.
How did you discover surfing and why did you choose it as an integral part of your life?
I started out skateboarding first, but when I was 6 or 7 years old, the skate park in my town closed down. My parents always encouraged me to do sports, and since I live at the beach my dad started taking me surfing, since it’s a sport similar to skateboarding. It was also a way to spend time with my dad and with the kids where I live, because everyone here spends most of their time in the ocean.
Tell us a little bit about the national surf circuit for those who aren’t very familiar with it – how does it work, where do you travel to compete, how many event dates are there?
The National Circuit consists of five contest events at five different beaches. The locations vary year-to-year, but this year the events were held at Playa Cocles (my home break), Dominical, Santa Teresa, Playa Hermosa and Nosara, where the final contest was held. At each event, surfers compete in various rounds until reaching the final, where four people compete in twenty-minute heat. Whoever wins becomes champion of that specific event, receives a certain number of points, and the points add up toward your ranking. At the final event, whoever has the most points becomes the overall National Circuit champion.
What is your daily training routine?
What is it like to be a professional female surfer in Costa Rica? Tell us a bit about ‘a day in the life of Erika Berra’.
I would say that my life is like that of any other teenager. I study during the day, I surf in the afternoons, and I also work out a few times during the week. Sometimes I like to change up the routine a bit and do more mobility-type exercises. The weekends are the best because I can take advantage of the morning surf sessions, since the ocean is generally better at that time. I also like going to the beach with my dog and spending quality time with my family and friends.
What has been your greatest challenge as a surfer? How did/do you overcome that challenge?
My greatest challenge is organizing my time between high school, everyday life, and training. But as my parents have always taught me, everything is about balance. I’m not going to be able to be the best at everything, but I can become a well-rounded person. I do my best to try to be better in every area of my life, and I always try to find the motivation to learn and grow as a person every day.
What else do you like to do when you’re not surfing?
I like to draw and spend time with my friends. In fact, I combine those two things, and now I paint all of my boards with a friend. I also love going to the beach with my dog, skateboarding, listening to music, being with my loved ones, and taking pictures.
How do you describe your relationship with the ocean?
I believe we all have a unique relationship with the ocean, and we connect with it in different ways. The ocean has been a part of my life since I was very small, and I feel grateful for the privilege to have been born by the ocean.
Mostly, my plans are to continue growing as a person, studying something I’m passionate about, training and improving in the sport I love, maintaining a balanced life – fun but also responsible – and getting to know myself more and more. My dream would be to live a life full of love, doing what I enjoy doing, with the people I appreciate the most.
In 5 years, I see myself finishing a university degree, continuing with competitive or free surfing; but definitely surfing. I believe life takes many turns, so it’s not like I have it all completely planned out. I feel that each day I learn new things, and that makes my interests change. I am totally open to change and to new opportunities. In 10 years, I hope to have finished my degree, to be putting it into practice and living close to the ocean, because surfing is not just about competing; it’s a lifestyle you carry with you forever.
One piece of advice I would give is to be patient. We all have a unique process, and one of the best qualities of this sport is that it doesn’t just depend on us but also on nature – in this case, the ocean. That’s why I feel that we all have our unique journey, and we have to know how to live it. As I mentioned, surfing is not just a passing trend, but a way of life. So it doesn’t matter if it takes you longer to achieve it; with patience and doing things with love, everything arrives at the perfect moment. It is never too late to start surfing or to continue improving.
Thank you!
