Eder “Chocolate” Vallejos
was born and raised in the small town of Santa Barbara, in the Guanacaste area of Costa Rica.
From a young age, he excelled at sports. Everyone in Santa Barbara still calls him “the cannon”- because of his powerful shots making goals in soccer. But at age 15, Eder “Chocolate” discovered the joy of the ocean and surfing. And he gave his heart to his passion for riding waves. He trained hard on the beach, running, and calisthenics. He emulated and be-friended the best surfers until he was one himself.
He took the time to learn surfing from the ground up. He worked at different shops and learned about different boards, how to repair them, how to predict swell, different techniques for different conditions, and how to prepare physically and mentally to succeed at surfing (and life).
Eder “Chocolate” eventually became one of the most popular surf instructors in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. He was recruited by and has worked for the top surf schools in town. His students come back each year – or even several times a year – and request to surf with “Chocolate!”
In 2020, and with the pandemic challenges to tourism in Costa Rica, Eder “Chocolate” took the opportunity to start his own surf school. He is blessed with returning students who want to continue to improve and try different waves and boards. Eder “Chocolate” is also grateful for referrals bringing new students to learn the joy of surfing with a positive and supportive instructor. (Eder has even taught those who cannot swim how to surf.)
If you’ve seen the guy with the huge smile in the water that spins on a surfboard and does headstands, that’s “Chocolate!” If you hear someone enthusiastically shouting to a new surfer, “good job!” that’s “Chocolate!” If you hear someone singing in the lineup or whistling for good waves, that’s “Chocolate!” (Eder also is an accomplished musician.) Finally, if you are in Tamarindo and notice a person that seems loved by tourists and locals alike, that’s “Chocolate!”.
Photo by Sofie Wellerfors
“Chocolate” looks forward to sharing with you the Pura Vida surfing experience in Costa Rica. Book now!