About

Hi, this is Kate.

The concept for Pura Vida Board Gear was inspired in 2013 by the desire to create a boardsock that is unique, stylish and “fun to take along for the ride.” Since making the first initial board socks, it’s amazing how much I have learned and grown, the people I have met and the places I’ve been led to. The where, what, when, who and how has always been placed in God’s hands from the beginning. 

Love at first sight

I fell in love with Costa Rica back in ’96 on a surf trip with some family and friends, inspired by my sister Colleen Hanley Prior, a former professional surfer and artist. I knew then what was inevitable: that I would return this beautiful country and immerse myself in the culture. Not long after that, Colleen and I would live here with my Mom who had also fell in love with the Pura Vida country in Central America.

My fluency in Spanish improved from being a part of the community and spending time with native speakers. Often my sister Colleen and I would surf breaks of South and North Jaco and in front of what used to be Disco Central, catching waves with good local friends like Chalo, Neno and Kimo. Lisbeth Vindas was just starting to surf. Gustavo Castillo was king and Alvaro Solano just starting to draw attention as a grom. 

Spanish connection

Back in the States I pursued teacher certification in Spanish, taught middle and high school Spanish for six years and spent time teaching in bilingual schools and surfing California breaks from San Diego to Huntington Beach. Colleen lived in San Clemente at the time and surfed up the ranks in the NSSA contests before turning pro for a while.

As fate would have it, years later I was drawn back to the place that has always felt like a second home. A lot has changed, but the consistency and excellence of the surf breaks is the same.

Costa Rica is an exciting place to be for any surfer or surfer aficionado. Meanwhile, the surf culture continues to thrive here in Jacó and other popular surf/beach communities. 

Our vibe – more than just board socks

Pura Vida Board Gear strives to offer a product that is unique, made in Costa Rica and designed to inspire even more fun and style to the surfing experience. However, the mission encompasses more than just board socks.

Connecting with like-minded people I’ve met through the industry has been the most rewarding part of the journey. The last few years, I have gotten to know some of the surfers on Costa Rica’s Adaptive Surf Team. Since then, I have learned more about the different categories of adaptive surfing and as a result, advocate for an inclusive world through surfing, and inclusion in general. It is an honor to have many adaptive surfers not only as friends but role-models as people.

Jaco Impact is a “A community-based collective creating alliances for local impact in Jaco.” Owner Yorgina Urena is the brain child of this collective and also a personal friend of the last decade. Her heart for the community is outdone by none. I began giving English classes to some of the community youth through Jaco Impact back in 2017. After the pandemic, I picked this initiative up again in 2022 and continue to build bridges with the families to support education, literacy and working together.

I’m grateful for the love and support of so many organizations, businesses and people that add to the good vibes and stoke of Pura Vida Board Gear.

Drop me a line anytime to say hello or perhaps share an inspirational story about how surfing changed your life, and who inspires you.

Stay salty.

Kate

Owner, Pura Vida Board Gear LLC

puravidaboardgear@gmail.com

Playa Jacó, Costa Rica/Boise Idaho

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