Sting rays at Playa Copal, Costa Rica

[pistolpete]

I'm thinking about kite surfing at Playa copal, Costa Rica. I heard its full of sting rays. How much of threat are these? I guess it's safe if you stay away from the shallow water

[seaplus]

Ray encounters can happen anywhere in the bay but the shallows are where you're chances of stepping on one increase.

On jump descents out in the deep...you're likely to see a dozen rays swimming in your landing spot. They scatter as soon as you land.

...yep, those are kiters you see on google map image.

Tim

[tmcfarla]

I've spent a total of maybe 6 weeks kiting there over a few different trips- all were around January. I've never been stung, and only know of a handful of people who were stung while I was there. I have seen many, and I've felt them brush my leg, but no stings yet. That said, I've always been pretty vigilant about shuffling my feet and avoiding the really shallow areas.

[irwe]

I have been there twice for two weeks each time in January and have not been stung. But three people were hit the last time I was there. One person was out in waste deep water shooting pictures. Barb went right through neoprene bootie. Second was a beginner who spent a lot of time walking around in shallow water. Third was an intermediate Kiter.
Keys: spend least amount of time as possible on bottom, while walking on bottom always shuffle your feet.
It's a great place to kite but gusty and you need to bring small kites ~ 7 m

[pistolpete]

Looks like if you re advanced rider and careful avoiding the shallow water you're pretty safe. I also ride with boots which will protect me. I'll check it out next Feb. Thanks a lot for your help!

[awo]

when i there around march this year, two people were stung.I suggest wearing booties( there are many stones in the beach) and try to avoid staying too much on the shallows.

[kitesurfing2000]

well, there are sting rays in Bahia Salinas as in all Central America. They like to be close to the shore between the months of Januray and March when the strong winds make the water temperature of the water cooler and sting rays look for warmer water.
I've been riding about 250 day per year for the last 16 years and I got stung 4 times, not too bad. The way to stop the pain is to boil water and keep the foot in warm water in a bucket. Usually pain goes away in an hour or so. We are always prepared at the kitebeach to take care of kiters that are stung. We have a camping kitchen to boil water and after an hour of taking care the pain, the kiter is ready to go back in the water