TAMARINDO, Guanacaste – The first thing you will notice about Robert August, star of the 1960s quintessential surfing film “Endless Summer” is that in person he’s a fit 58-year-old with an infectious exuberance and a wicked sense of humor.He even once joked that he’s “the Sean Connery of surfing.”The second thing you will find out from the man who put Tamarindo, in the northwestern province of Guanacaste on the Pacific coast, on the world surfing map in “Endless Summer II,” a 1997 sequel film, is that his love for Costa Rica knows no bounds.That love of this country is one of the main reasons the legend moved the Robert August 2004 Surf & Turf event from August to May 13-20 this year. That way, more people can take advantage of planned events in better weather and there will be more money raised for the beneficiaries in Guanacaste.THE Robert August 2004 Surf & Turf is hosted by Tamarindo Vista Villas and will be filled with parties, golfing, surf contests and trips, bikini contests, dance competitions, autograph sessions, and much more.The entire event is open to registered Surf & Turf hotel guests, as well as area residents and tourists.The event features August, who will be joined by his “Endless Summer II” co-star, business associate, and regular surfing buddy Robert “Wingnut” Weaver, as well as former U.S. Surf Champion Longboarder Mark Martinson.Also attending is one of the first true innovators of surfing, Mike Doyle.For years, Tamarindo has been the adopted home of this surfing master. And between those water sessions, he and his gang have been spotted hitting balls at the golf courses in the Guanacaste area.STRANGELY, there’s always been some connection between surfing and golfing, but it was only four years ago that August decided to make the dual sports link an annual Costa Rican celebration.“Hey, when the tide’s wrong, or there are no waves, golfing is a fantastic release,” August said. So why is Robert August so important to Tamarindo and its community? “No. 1, because Robert’s such a fun loving, classy guy,” said Jeff Ruzicka, Vista Villas hotel manager.“No. 2, because he’s one of the original Rat Pack that made Tamarindo a surf destination. And, No. 3, he always brings the good-looking babes!” A new twist for this year’s Surf & Turf is the cumulative scoring system, where anyone who competes in both the golf and surf contests will have a chance to win both a new set of TaylorMade Golf clubs and a new Robert August What I Ride surfboard.BECAUSE August is conscious of the community, proceeds from the event will benefit Villareal High School and the Santa Cruz Orphanage.He has also opened both the surf contests and the golf tournament to individual competition.If someone plays golf, but doesn’t surf, or vice versa, there are still opportunities for prizes, from companies including TaylorMade Golf, Reef, Hacienda Pinilla Golf and Beach Resort, Spanners Inc., Sol Sun Block, Reactor Watches, Sex Wax and Tamarindo Vista Villas.The Robert August 2004 Surf & Turf is being filmed by Opper Sports and will be released as a home video next year. For more info, e-mail tamvv@racsa.co.cr or call 653-0114 ext. 0.For a complete listing of events, see the schedule below.
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