Aqua Inspiration 2026 Quepos & Golfito Costa Rica
June 1-4, 2026
It is my pleasure to report on the fifth anniversary of Aqua Inspiration!
Stop One - Marina Pez Vela in Quepos, Costa Rica.
2026 found us returning to Costa Rica on Monday, June 1st. Junior Achievement Costa Rica (JACR) and the International Gamefish Tournament Observers, Inc. (IGFTO) provided instruction to both Junior and Senior high school students at the school in Londres. We introduced students to the activities planned for Tuesday. Students received their event shirts, final instructions, and their excitement factor was already on full display.
Tuesday June 2nd, the students arrived at Marina Pez Vela and enjoyed a warm breakfast. Following breakfast, the students were broken down into small groups and assigned a group leader, or guide for the day. Everyone rotated through nine educational stations around the marina.
Nine Educational Stations.
Fuel fuel dock safety, the Costa Guarda as a career, yacht yard maintenance and repair, reef building and environmental stewardship, conservation practices related to billfish, hospitality, spin casting fundamentals, teasers and dredges, hands-on rod handling, and requirements for becoming charter mates and captains.
Aqua Inspiration Goal.
Introduce students to the opportunities that exist in the marine industry. We had two volunteer group leaders this year that attended the First Aqua Inspiration as students and both are now employed by Marina Pez Vela!
Onward to Golfito, Costa Rica - Stop Two.
On Wednesday June 3rd, we packed everything up and transferred to Golfito, a four-hour drive to the south. I love it! One of the most interesting places in Costa Rica.
Thursday June 4th, we visited the Collegia Golfito for the JACR team building activities with 50 more students. This is the fourth year having Marina Bahia Golfito host Aqua Inspiration.
Marina Bahia Golfito, JACR, and IGFTO hosted the fourth year of Aqua Inspiration. Students arrived, had breakfast, and were assigned groups and guides for the day. We rotated students through our educational stations located around the marina.
Great Success!
The Aqua Inspiration event was a great success, and we are continuing to introduce the students to the opportunities that exist in the marine industry with a good dose of conservation and environmental stewardship. I send a big thank you to all the volunteers who continue to improve the planning and execution. Special thanks to all our sponsors that make Aqua Inspiration a success!
With just one day of showing students the opportunities that exist, we can touch their lives and help shape future careers of our younger generations.
Please consider supporting the Aqua Inspiration future.
Your tax-deductible donations are welcome to support future Aqua Inspiration classes.
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6CC8BS94XNZ7Q
Select Aqua Inspiration from the drop-down menu, and either the PayPal or Venmo concession. You can also donate by mailing a check in U.S. funds to:
IGFTO
P.O. BOX 30191
Pensacola, FL 32503
//article edited by EAHJr//