The recent death of Kurt Van Dyke, a notable figure in the surfing community, has sparked significant search interest, with over 10,000 searches reported. The circumstances surrounding his death, which occurred during a home invasion in Costa Rica, have caught the attention of both local and global audiences, contributing to this spike in search activity.
Multiple news sources have confirmed the story, detailing Van Dyke’s background as a Santa Cruz native and member of a well-known surfing family. The tragic nature of his demise and the location of the incident have further heightened public interest, leading many to seek more information about the event and its implications.
The combination of the shocking details, alongside the connection to the surfing community, has led fans and followers of Van Dyke to search for updates, background information, and coverage of the incident. This convergence of elements makes the topic a focal point of interest, thereby driving up search volume significantly.
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Internet Reacts
B
Stayed with him a few times at hotel Puerto viejo over the years. One of the pioneers of big salsa brava and also quite a few offshore reefs in the area when macking. Was a legit underground legend from a lineage of legends. Remember first trip over there and thinking at first this guy is a kook owning a bunch of 7 foot plus brewer guns in Costa Rica. After way too late of a night out at reggae bar on beach in front of salsa. Morning was huge and he took us to an outer reef nearby and proceeded to put a 8″ 6 brewer to perfect use while we all sat on 6″ 6 and watched him put on a show while no one else got any.
Y
Johnnys is such a vibe on that beach. Always seemed like a safe area when I visited
B
Havent been in 25 years but Puerto viejo and more so limon were always known as a little sketchy after dark.
Y
Heard Limon was sketchier than PV
B
Ya for sure Limon has more people so more problems. I’m sure with more gringos and money Puerto viejo has changed maybe. Cahuita was always a known hotspot for night time shipments and with that business always comes some heavyness. But this was all 25 years ago I know Costa Rica has seen insane growth and amounts of tourism in that time.
M
I was in that area in 2018. we went to a place called tasty waves almost every evening. One night we skipped it and that was the night where some people got into a fight and started shooting. Last time i was on that side of costa rica only went to the west coast after.
P
I’ve only been to the west coast of CR, but having talked to people and seen some pics, Salsa Brava apparently gets pretty damn gnarly. Being the gringo-ass kook that I am, I didn’t even realize that the east coast of CR had that kind of action. But RIP to Kurt. Anything can happen so live life full blast. Nobody’s guaranteed tomorrow.
S
Yup, the right season, it gets gnar. I wanted to go to the East Coast when I went because that’s where a majority of the reefs are and that was the type of wave I was in search of, but I ended up going to the West Coast, we didn’t go up north where the majority of the tourist spots were…. but I left quickly anyway. The people I went with were more about partying than surfing, and I wasn’t gonna waste my time, or my money, went home and got a job in the TV/film industry that week, so I guess everything happens for a reason.
O
On my first trip to Costa Rica in the early 90’s, we headed to the Caribbean after landing in San Jose. Puerto Viejo was our destination based on stories of Salsa Brava barrels. Dirt roads and a sleepy little town in the jungle. We stumbled upon Kurt and his hotel and got to talking about the waves and the area and agreed to stay at his place. Super simple accommodations and mosquito nets to ward off the evening invaders. Electricity was spotty at best and usually wasn’t working and added to the mellow, slow charm of the area. Hearing the crickets and seeing the sky full of stars at night after some beers and local greenery was magical. He told us the best stories of big tubes, hot young ladies and other adventures by candlelight. He was the best ambassador for us young gringos to learn the ropes and culture of Costa Rica before setting off to explore the rest of the country. Thanks for sharing your time and tales with us Kurt, and may the four winds blow you safely home…Rest in peace amongst the waves brother.
C
I lived in Bocas Del Toro for a bit and would go over to Puerto Viejo/Salsa Brava for visa runs…. I was always shocked by how much more dangerous it seemed there.
H
It definitely is, Bocas was and probably is one of the most exclusive tourist areas in Panama. While Limon/Puerto Viejo has been forgotten by governments for a long time and has never seen the development that pacific Guanacaste side got in Costa Rica and is also cursed by having the one port where all the coca goes out of Costa Rica to EU and the US.
P
The story sounds like the robbery was an afterthought. There was likely more going on here.
M
Younger GF in on it?
M
Obviously. No 30 yo dates a 66 yo man out of love. It’s always about money. This type of setup is common in these parts of the world. I read about a case recently where a western dude went on a tinder date in Colombia and the girl drugged him and robbed him. Men lose their thinking ability when there‘s pussy involved.
B
No doubt.
Q
That’s the first thing I thought of… but who knows. RIP.
S
Unfortunately that thought came to me to,
F
My condolences to his friends and family. Horrible
H
Link since OP didn’t bother https://www.surfer.com/news/california-surfer-kurt-van-dyke-murdered-costa-rica
S
Thanks
P
This took a moment to click. I was good friends with King’s father Gene, never knew his real name was Kurt. When King visited his father in Hawaii I would tag along with him surfing. He was respected by the locals at the most exclusive spot on the north shore. He was a big boy and had special thick chunky shapes he ripped on. The sweet Tico girl might have been his wife. What a terrible shame.
I
31 year old girlfriend was in the shower during the attack. 66 years old with a 31 year old girl. This guy truly lived the pura vida. RIP
M
Until she backdoors you.
B
What if we want to be backdoored?
T
https://preview.redd.it/p8gm1lbn5wjg1.jpeg?width=749&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=918bb854573076f45284b6b6f360feb73608ca7c
I
[Howlin’ Wolf – Back Door Man](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVIA1n5ng4Y&list=RDaVIA1n5ng4Y&start_radio=1)
S
No one wants the knife in the back…backdoor
S
Wow sad story 😢
W
Watched him surf heaving outer cocles beach about 20 years ago when they were getting the biggest swell they had got in years. He absolutely charged.
L
I live there now. PV is a small beach town.
M
Will there be Justice?
K
Who stands to inherit the house? they murdered the guy for just a few valuables and an elantra? for sure thats plausible, but should be looked into further, just in case.
B
Seems a bit unusual. GF maybe knew he had cash and was in on it, or maybe some drug issues. Or maybe just two guys who need to settle a score, ….unfortunate part is that CR is not great at investigating crimes.
B
Having lived in the Dominican Republic and seen expat friends murdered in home invasions for a laptop and whatever cash they had lying around this story doesn’t surprise me happening in this part of the world. Yes the DR is much rougher than Costa Rica but still.
K
Yes- can happen. It’s just strange both humans at home werent killed.
A
So sad…
J
I really wonder what the murderers motives were. Van Dyke seemed like a really down to earth guy and he never had a single hating bone in his body. May he rest in peace 😔🕊️
O
So so tragic. This is also something I would never expect to happen where he was in CR. Any sort of crime in a beach time like this is just super small petty things like theft.
S
Damn, haven’t been there in almost fifteen years but it seemed safe. Costa Rica in general is very safe.
H
Was*
T
Yeah it’s just a sad fact that murder/crime has been rising on Costa Rica for the past few years. Easy to look up the stats online. Of course so much of the world in dangerous, but I do think tourists and gringos buying up real estate in CR can be way too relaxed about safety
S
Are we damning the whole nation based on a one-off incident, or do you have other data? Edit: Okay, sad to hear CR has gone down the tubes since I last visited. What a shame.
H
I am a tico, I know what I am talking about, I feel fear on a daily basis. On 2023 the murder rate increased by almost 50%, compared to 2022.
M
Sounds like the entire US, but since 2023 murder rates are down by about 50%.
P
Not a one-off incident, murders in general have been breaking records because the actual government is in bed with drug traffickers.
D
What’s his girlfriends IG?
Additional Sources:
Newsweek – Who is Kurt Van Dyke? California Surfer Killed in Costa Rica Home Invasion
