King of the Waves: Luis Vindas was crowned the winner of the Open category of the Triple Crown Surf competition yesterday at Playa Hermosa, in the central Pacific. Here, he shows off some of his winning maneuvers.

Fancy footwork and scoring points weren't the only goals of a “street soccer” festival that united more than 500 youth Saturday at La Sabana park, on the western edge of San José. Team work, determination and conflict resolution were among the life skills honed during the event, according to a statement from the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF), one of the organizers.

Transformation Workshop
With William Gammill, author of “The Gathering,” and “Dancing in the Quantum,” 7-10 p.m., Escazú; call 289-6333, 821-4708 or 870-0052 for location and directions. 

Salomón Sánchez
Engravings on exhibit, through Aug. 9, José Luis López Escarré Gallery, National Theater Café, San José.

A long-awaited international airport in the Southern Zone is one step closer to reality after government and local officials signed an agreement Friday to permit its construction.

President Oscar Arias, along with Public Works and Transport Minister Karla González and Civil Aviation Commission (CTAC) president Viviana Martín, traveled to the Southern Zone town of Palmar Sur, where they left their signatures alongside that of Marvin Orozco, president of the Southern Zone Regional Development Board (JUDESUR), to construct an airport in Valle del Sierpe, on the Osa Peninsula, according to a statement from Casa Presidencial.

The first stage of construction includes a 1,800 meter runway to accommodate medium airplanes carrying up to 50 passengers, according to a statement from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT). The second stage includes equipping the airport to handle larger 737-style aircraft and offer expanded food sales, ticketing and waiting areas.

Because of the airport's sensitive environmental location in a relatively undeveloped area rich in biodiversity, the government has committed to a plan that involves the “strict management of solid and liquid waste and fuel,” the statement said.

Arias said the new airport could open up opportunities for the Southern Zone the way Daniel Oduber International Airport, in Liberia, has helped spur development in the northwestern Guanacaste province.

“I am happy to be able to give this area an airport so that jets can land (here) similar to the ones that are landing in Libera, which are changing the face of Guanacaste,” he said.

-Tico Times

Beachgoers will soon be able to rely on more than just instinct to stay safe when they take a dip in the ocean. The Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) is putting up signs on 31 of the nation's beaches to warn swimmers about dangerous currents.

The 136 signs will be made of galvanized iron with a high-reflectivity surface and reinforced base. They will feature warnings in English and Spanish, according to a statement from ICT.

The institute plans to invest ¢24 million ($50,239) in the signs, which will be installed by the private company M&P Obras Civiles, J& L Señalización y Arquitectura S.A.

Among the shores where the signs will be placed are the central Pacific beaches of Jacó and Esterillos; Tamarindo, in the northwestern Guanacaste province; Cahuita and Manzanillo, in the Caribbean; and the Southern Zone beach of Dominical, to name a few.

-Tico Times

Fancy footwork and scoring points weren't the only goals of a “street soccer” festival that united more than 500 youth Saturday at La Sabana park, on the western edge of San José. Team work, determination and conflict resolution were among the life skills honed during the event, according to a statement from the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF), one of the organizers.

The festival complemented programs being carried out by the nonprofit Fútbol por la Vida (Soccer for Life) in more than 19 low-income communities around the country. These initiatives give children the opportunity to play soccer and also work on building skills that can help them succeed and avoid common pitfalls such as violence and drug use.

“Sports are vital because they are an effective way for children and youth to play, share and develop all of their potential. It's an opportunity to promote the rights of the child in a fun way and strengthen values like solidarity, respect, equality and teamwork,” said Seija Toro, UNICEF representative in Costa Rica.

Studies have shown that sports contribute not only to physical health, but also to mental well-being and positive social interaction among children, the statement said. Soccer and other sports can promote self-esteem, reduce stress and prevent depression.

During the activity, Fútbol por la Vida received a donation of 600 uniforms and soccer equipment from PriceSmart through the Children First campaign, an initiative by the company to raise funds for UNICEF.