Biking, running backwards, swimming, surfing, creating mermaids in the sand and lots of fun – these are just a few features of La Asociación CREAR’s 1st annual CREAR Combate which will be held this Sunday, May 20th at Playa Samara. Registration and same day signups will commence at 8:30AM with the Combate following at 9:30AM.

The cost for entry is 16,000 colones ($32) per teams of four, which includes an official CREAR Combate t-shirt for all team members and four free-beer vouchers to redeem at the Combate after party.

All proceeds fundraised at the Combate will aide in the continued growth of CREAR, a non-profit association for Creativity, Art and Social Responsibility.

The fundraiser will be a beach competition, much like a race or triathlon, but with added elements that lend themselves to the way of life here in Guanacaste.

The race will begin with one member of the team biking to the first checkpoint where they will tag the second teammate, who will then run backwards to the next checkpoint and tag the third team member. The third teammate will then swim to tag the fourth team member who will be waiting in the water on a surfboard. The final teammate will then surf to shore to meet the rest of their team at Choco’s Surf School to receive blindfolds.

The surfer will run blindfolded, with the support of their team, to the next checkpoint where the entire team will commence the five-legged race to the finish line in front of C&C Surf School. At C&C Surf School, the team must create a mermaid in the sand using one member of the team. A horn will sound with the first team to complete all aspects of the race, including mermaid creation.

“The local community is always supportive of CREAR, but I think because this is the first race of this type to come to Sámara, the response from the community has been even more overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic,” said Johannah Waite, Fundraising and Environmental Director of La Asociación CREAR.

“Many local businesses are sponsoring teams, donating items, or volunteering themselves. We currently have over thirty people registered to participate and expect many more within the next few days leading up to the race,” explained Waite.

Since 2005, CREAR has been providing free afterschool programs, bi-annual camps, lacrosse and surf teams, and Saturday English classes to the local children of both the Sámara Centro and El Torito communities.

To find out more information on the race, ways to donate and offer support, or to register to participate, please contact CREAR at [email protected] or visit the event Facebook page here:
http://www.facebook.com/events/408494172506614/.