Interview: Pura Vida Adventures founder Tierza Davis

At some point most of us have wanted to quit a job in the ‘rat race’, pack up our lives and move to an exotic destination. Tierza Davis is one of the rare few to actually follow her dream and do it.

In 2003 Tierza gave up a career in internet advertising to move to Costa Rica to establish Pura Vida Adventures.  She’s kindly agreed to share her story with GGS.

GGS: Tierza, thanks for stopping by, we really appreciate you taking time to chat with us! I am absolutely in awe – you’ve done something that many people dream of but most never do: you left your career in internet advertising to pursue your passion for surfing in beautiful Costa Rica.  What happened that you decided to change your life so dramatically?

TD: In 2001, I got laid off from my internet job. I had recently started surfing, and I decided that I wanted to go on a surf trip since jobs were hard to come by in San Francisco.

This led me to Costa Rica, where I really did some soul searching and realized that I was not happy with my current job situation. I had always wanted to own my own company and be my own boss.

During this amazing trip, I met someone who was running a “surf camp.” I thought “How fun, I would love to do something like that!”

I absolutely fell in love with Costa Rica, the beauty and the people, and surfing had transformed my life. I wanted other people to be transformed by it, too! When I returned to San Francisco after 8 months of traveling, I started working on Pura Vida Adventures to make this dream a reality.

GGS: Was opening a surfing resort always in the back of your mind?

TD: If you would have told me 10 years ago that I would be an owner of a surf camp in Costa Rica, I would have thought you were crazy!

I had just started surfing in 2001 and had never been to Costa Rica before.  I really didn’t even know where it was located!

But my first surf trip here changed my life, and that is how everything started.

GGS: My last trip to Costa Rica was 10 years ago, and it continues to top my list of beautiful places to return to.  For our readers who may have not visited Costa Rica, can you tell us why you chose it for your adventure destination?

TD: I have traveled all over the world and have lived in several different countries.  For me, Mal Pais, Costa Rica is one of the most magical places I have visited – an endless amount of beaches where you can explore, the people who are so friendly and kind, not to mention the “pura vida” culture of just living life in the moment, enjoying friends and family and not letting the stresses of life get you down.

And of course, the surfing! There’s nothing like gliding over warm tropical water in your bikini when the view towards the horizon is ocean blue and the view into shore is a tropical forest. Paradise and heaven in one.

I chose this as my adventure destination because I wanted people to experience this serene beauty and show them a different way of life.

GGS: So tell us about the move…it must have been a challenge to move to a new country and start a new business? What was that like?

TD: It actually wasn’t that challenging, but it was definitely scary. When things are meant to be, they just flow. Even when I was scared, it was like something kept pulling me along.

As far as moving, I had met a ton of locals when I came here the first time. I think if you try to immerse yourself into the culture and the people that it will make your move easier. I have all of them to thank for helping with Pura Vida Adventures and setting up my home in Costa Rica.

The scary part was just going for it and believing that everything would work out. In general, I found it fun and empowering to start my own business in another company.

GGS: Have you had any regrets about your decision?

TD: Absolutely not!  I give thanks every day that I am fortunate enough to do what I love.

GGS: I’m sure, given the nature of your business, that you must have a funny story or two about surfing…can you share one with us?

TD: I can’t think of any funny stories where you would roll over laughing. Of course, I have had those experiences when you get tumbled by a wave and your bikini is up over your neck…that is more embarrassing.

I can only think of some really fun experiences that keep me smiling. This happens often at surf camp. I love when we all are surfing together in a group and we take over a peak (a certain area in the water) and we are all laughing, encouraging and cheering each other on. We are all being surf goddesses and living in the moment and enjoying each other’s company.

These are really fun times to me.

GGS: To some of us, surfing sounds wonderful but seems intimidating.  What would your advice be to those of us who have never tried surfing before and are a bit – okay, very– nervous to try?

TD: Definitely take a surf lesson. It will make all the difference in the world.

If you find a good surf instructor, they will give you confidence and make you feel safe out in the water. Your fears will go away and you will realize that it is an amazing sport.

GGS: Our readers do many different types of workouts. What about you? Do you stick with surfing? Can you tell us a bit about your personal workout routine, if you have one?

TD: I am an avid practitioner of yoga and this is why it is incorporated in the camp.  I try to do yoga at least 3 times a week, which works out great because our surf camp has an oceanfront studio with the most beautiful yoginis teaching us!

I try to surf at least once a day, and usually end up surfing about 5 times a week. I also love biking. I live part-time in Bend, Oregon as well, and when I am there I try to either mountain bike ride or road ride at least 3 times a week. I also hike/walk on the beach or in the mountains.

I am also known to play tennis and ultimate Frisbee; basically, I am not one for a routine. I love the outdoors and try to take advantage of any type of sport that is presented to me.

GGS: Okay, Tierza, so spill – please tell us all about Pura Vida Adventures: what is Pura Vida all about, and what can women (and men) expect when they visit?

TD: Pura Vida Adventures is all about its namesake, the Costa Rican phrase which translated means “pure life.”

Coming to Pura Vida Adventures mean you live this phrase of enjoying each moment for exactly what it is—whether it be catching a perfectly warm wave as the sun goes down, enjoying a local meal with new friends, breathing deeply in an ocean-front morning yoga class, or simply sitting on the sand soaking in the sun’s rays.

I think Pura Vida is all about having the ultimate active vacation for people who want a combination of exhilaration, relaxation, empowerment and culture. You can expect that this vacation will challenge and inspire you all in one.  It’s hard to explain what to expect because each person experiences something different, but in general it has such a powerful impact on people lives that goes way beyond just learning how to surf. They learn how to live in that pure life.

GGS: I’ve snuck a peek at your gorgeous website so I know there’s more to Pura Vida Adventures than just surfing.  Can you share with our readers what other fun activities happen at Pura Vida and in the surrounding area besides surfing?

TD: The fun activities are endless! There’s sport fishing tours with local fishermen, snorkeling in secret coves,  salsa dancing at nighttime hotspots, a weekly organic market with people selling home-baked goods and art, live music with good drinks, and the Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve right in our backyard!

You can rent ATVS and back road through the jungle to jump off waterfalls or take a canopy tour flying high above the trees.  Malpais truly is a recreational playground for grownups, and I love every day I get to spend here exploring the natural beauty and amazing culture of this place.

GGS: So back to you – now that you’ve been in Costa Rica for a few years and you have a successful adventure resort (Pura Vida Adventures was recently named one of 2010’s Top 100 Destinations for Vacation Style by Elle Magazine), what does the future hold for you?

The most exciting thing on my horizon has to be that I’m marrying my soul mate on the beach in Mexico this spring!

As for Pura Vida Adventures, I’m so amped that we’re going to begin offering more Yoga-based Costa Rica retreats in addition to our surf camps…and I’m always exploring the idea of opening more surf adventures in other beautiful places!

Wow, congratulations Tierza! I can’t think of a better place to get married than on a beach in Costa Rica.  Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. You are truly an inspiration!

photos courtesy of Pura Vida Adventures