Our History

Dominical Lifeguards was born in 1996 with the arrival of Matt Haley. Mike Mcginnis, surfer and entrepreneur from San Clemente, California teamed with renowned surf culture artist Roy Gonzales and local surfer Paulo Tubito and recruited Matt through the ASLA. A veteran senior beach lifeguard from New Jersey Matt took a liking to the town and the surf and the job of keeping a very dangerous beach a little safer. He succeeded admirably. 1996 – 2008. He resigned in April, 2008 due to the growing needs of a growing family.

Published with kind permission of the Rony Obano Archives

Winners-Esteban, Allan, Gato, Nego, Rony. Captain Matt - front & center.

Matt had accepted the challenge of protecting a beach with an average of 20 drownings per year. He trained local surfers as assistant lifeguards and collectively they made over 600 documented ‘rescues’ and through constant preventive measures countless lives have been saved by ‘Los Pastores del Mar’ the first ever professional beach lifeguard program in Costa Rica.

Andrew Webster was hired to replace Matt in July of 2008 and has continued to train and work with local surfers and provide a safe environment for large numbers of beachgoers from all over the world.

Dylan, Ariel, Oscar, Andrew, Jossue, Pepe

Jossue, Jonar, Ariel, Pepe, Flaco, Andrew

Playa Dominical has emerged as an international surf destination known chiefly for it’s year-round consistency. Nature lovers and eco tourists visit year round seeking pristine tropical wilderness areas and experiences.

* Dominical Lifeguards S.A. Is wholly supported by voluntary donations and contributions. Hotel Roca Verde was the founding sponsor and has since been the primary sponsor of the program extending credit when needed to cover shortfalls in income.

Donations have steadily dwindled over the past two years reducing the income and the scope and effectiveness of lifeguard services. Fewer hours, smaller crews, loss of the jet-ski and 4-wheeler – two valuable (and expensive) search and rescue tools.

Demands on the lifeguard program have increased while income has decreased.

Stay tuned to www.dominicallifeguards.org for the full story plus photos and history and surf reports and area announcements and updates. The website is equipped with a functioning ‘paypal’ button for making quick and easy donations.

Dominical Lifeguards S.A.

Community Lifeguards