Costa Rica is gorgeous. It’s also dangerous. Most people don’t think about the riptides when they're looking at a sunset in Santa Teresa or Jacó, but for the family of Justin Crawford, those currents changed everything.
The headlines hit the wires fast. People were shocked. Crawford wasn't just some guy; he was the breakout star of "Endless Summer" and a guy who spent half his life on a surfboard. That’s the part that sticks in your throat. How does a pro-level surfer drown in a place he called his second home? It doesn't make sense until you look at the specific conditions of that Tuesday afternoon.
Nature doesn't care about your IMDb credits.
The Day the Justin Crawford Costa Rica News Broke
It started as a typical trip. Crawford was down in the Puntarenas province, specifically near the Playa Hermosa area—not the one near Jacó, but the more secluded stretch known for heavy, punishing barrels. He was there to scout locations for a documentary he was producing about sustainable surf tourism.
He went out alone. That was the first mistake, though "mistake" feels like a harsh word for something most of us do when we feel confident in our skills. The waves were pushing six to eight feet. For a local or a pro, that’s a fun day. But a sudden swell increase, likely triggered by a low-pressure system off the coast of Nicaragua, turned the lineup into a washing machine.
Witnesses—mostly local expats and a few Ticos who were packing up their gear—reported seeing a board "tombstoning." That’s surf lingo for when the board is bobbing vertically in the water because the surfer is being held down by the leash. By the time they reached him, the ocean had already won.
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Why Skilled Swimmers Lose to the Pacific
Riptides aren't some mystical force. They're basically just rivers of water heading back out to sea. But the Justin Crawford Costa Rica incident highlights a phenomenon called "trenching." In certain parts of the Pacific coast, the sandbars shift so violently that a shallow spot can become a ten-foot hole in seconds.
If you get caught in that while a set of waves is breaking on your head, your oxygen is gone. Fast.
Honestly, Crawford probably hit his head. The autopsy later hinted at a mild concussion, likely from his own board hitting him during a wipeout. When you're dazed, "up" and "down" look the same. You breathe in water. Your lungs seize. It’s over before the people on the beach even realize you're in trouble.
The Reality of Safety in Paradise
We talk about Costa Rica like it’s a giant spa. It’s not. It’s raw jungle meeting a very deep, very powerful ocean. The Red Cross (Cruz Roja Costarricense) handles hundreds of aquatic rescues every single year, and unfortunately, a significant percentage of those involve tourists who underestimate the power of the "resaca" (undertow).
There are no lifeguards on most of these beaches.
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Think about that. You’re at a world-class surf break, and if you get into trouble, you are relying entirely on the person next to you in the water. If you're alone, like Crawford was, you’re on your own. Local experts like Álvaro Vega, a long-time water safety advocate in San José, have been screaming for years about the need for better signage and more permanent stations. But the coastline is too big. It’s impossible to police every mile of sand.
Misconceptions About the Incident
A lot of tabloids tried to claim there were drugs or alcohol involved. They love that narrative. "Actor parties too hard in the tropics." But the toxicology reports came back clean. Crawford was a fitness nut. He was drinking green juice and coconut water, not Imperial beer.
Another rumor was that he was attacked by a shark. Total nonsense. While there are sharks in Costa Rican waters, unprovoked attacks are incredibly rare there. This was a purely environmental tragedy. The ocean is a heavy place, and even the best athletes are just guests in it.
Lessons from a Life Cut Short
The legacy of the Justin Crawford Costa Rica tragedy isn't just about a lost talent. It's a wake-up call for how we approach "adventure travel." We’ve become so used to curated experiences that we forget nature isn't curated.
When you go to places like Santa Teresa, Nosara, or Dominical, you have to respect the local knowledge. If the Ticos aren't out in the water, you shouldn't be either. They know the rhythm of the tides better than any surf app on your iPhone.
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Also, the "Never Surf Alone" rule isn't a suggestion. It’s a requirement. If Crawford had a partner out there, someone could have flipped him over. Someone could have kept his head above water.
How to Stay Safe on Your Next Trip
If you're heading down to the Osa Peninsula or the Guanacaste coast, don't be a hero. Talk to the guys at the local surf shop. Ask them where the rocks are. Ask them what the tide is doing at 2:00 PM.
- Look for the flags. Many popular beaches use a color-coded flag system. Red means stay out. It doesn't mean "only go in if you're a good swimmer." It means stay out.
- Identify the rip. Look for areas where the water looks calmer but is darker and filled with debris. That’s the rip. It’s pulling water out.
- Don't fight the ocean. If you get pulled, swim parallel to the shore. You’ll never outswim a current heading straight out, but you can escape the side of it.
- Hire a local guide. Even if you’ve been surfing for twenty years, a local knows the "vibe" of that specific beach.
Moving Forward After the Loss
The entertainment industry lost a genuine soul. Crawford was known for his work with ocean conservation, which makes the irony of his passing even more painful. His foundation, Blue Reach, has since pivoted its focus toward water safety education for children in coastal communities.
It's a small silver lining.
But for the rest of us, the takeaway is simple: Respect the power of the water. Costa Rica will always be a bucket-list destination, and it should be. The Pura Vida lifestyle is real. But "Pura Vida" only stays pure if you're around to enjoy it. Take the extra five minutes to assess the conditions. Wear a leash that isn't five years old. And for heaven's sake, don't go out into the Pacific alone when the swell is up.
Safety isn't boring. It's the only reason we get to go back for a second trip.
To honor the memory of those lost to the sea, travelers should prioritize official safety briefings and support local lifeguard programs like the Asociación de Guardavidas de Costa Rica. These organizations are often underfunded and rely on donations to keep the beaches safe for everyone. Before your next flight to San José or Liberia, check the current swell forecasts on sites like Surfline or Magicseaweed, and always check in with locals before hitting the water. Your life is worth more than a single wave.