The roar of drums and the colourful streets of Jacó marked the start of the Jaco Sport Fest. The spectacular opening parade kicked off this beautiful festival, with student marching bands filling the air with rhythm. At the head of the march, two huge macaws on stilts welcomed the crowds, followed by a circus school dazzling everyone with juggling and acrobatics.
But what really captivated everyone were the beautiful giant figures — “puppets”, as their creator calls them — made from paraglider fabric and inflated by small fans, each carried by one or two “pilots”. We pilots joined the march too, some on foot and others in golf carts provided by the organisers. A visual spectacle that reflected the passion for flight, the festive spirit and the creativity of this unique event.
“Pura Vida”: Jacó, Costa Rica, a paradise of waves and lush jungle, was the setting for an event that exceeded all my expectations: the Jaco Sport Festival. From 20 to 23 February, the Garabito region became a celebration of sport and free flight, attracting athletes and pilots from all over the world. And I, as an Ojovolador.com reporter, had the privilege of living it from the inside — and from the air!
An Eden for flying
Garabito-Jacó is a magical place. Its warm climate and geography make it an idyllic setting for air sports. And the wildlife… unforgettable! Scarlet macaws, our loyal flying companions, constantly flew over us, reminding us of the natural beauty all around. We even saw sloths and a few crocodiles sunbathing at the river mouths.
Flying, camaraderie and “Pura Vida”
But the best part was the people. The hospitality of the “Ticos” is legendary, and the atmosphere and camaraderie among pilots were memorable. Sharing experiences with legends and old friends such as Horacio Llorens, Xevi Bonet, David Cubel, Ramón Morillas and José Henrique Fabul, among others, was a dream come true. Horacio delighted us with impossible acrobatics, Xevi and David showed us free flight at its best and their great fitness in the Hike & Fly, and Ramón left us speechless with his paramotor displays, including a spectacular night show alongside José Henrique (Fabul)!
And I can’t forget the night at the Green Room, where local music filled us with joy and Ramón shone on the guitar, while I accompanied him on my little percussion egg!
High-level competition and displays
The accuracy competition was exciting, with eight hard-fought rounds. The Colombian pilots showed their great level, dominating the podium. And in cross-country, although we could not complete the task, I enjoyed a couple of unforgettable thermal flights. We also had a paragliding costume contest which, although it had few entrants, was quite a show! Katherine, dressed as a scarlet macaw, and César, as a mariachi, delighted us with a colourful and original flight, bravely taking on the wind conditions. A round of applause for them!
But beyond the competition, what really stood out was the camaraderie among pilots. Those of us taking part in accuracy and XC had a great time, not only in the air but also on the retrieves and in the time we spent together. The Colombian delegation, the largest, was an example of friendship and sportsmanship, and their dominance in accuracy was the result of their talent and team spirit. And I, coming back from a knee injury, made the most of their great experience and mastery of the discipline to catch up and improve my accuracy landing technique!
The aerial displays were another highlight of the festival. Horacio Llorens, Max Marien, José Zuluaga and Felipe Arboleda treated us to gravity-defying acro paragliding routines. Ramón Morillas, Matt Minyard and José Henrique (Fabul) did the same with paramotors, and Skydive Costa Rica brought the adrenaline of skydiving.
A festival for every taste
The Jaco Sport Festival was not just about flying.
There was also room for socialising, music and fun. The event’s main esplanade became a meeting point for pilots and visitors, with food trucks, promotional stands and activities for children.
The beach concert was the grand finale, with a star line-up that got everyone dancing.
A long-term impact
Putting on an event of this size was a complex challenge, and although it was a resounding success for us athletes, the spread of activities affected local businesses somewhat. Even so, the festival left an indelible mark on the region. The event’s strong promotion is a long-term investment that will drive new tourism models in Jacó.
All of us pilots left with our hearts full of “Pura Vida” and wanting to return to this flying paradise. And I can’t end this report without thanking the whole Jaco Sport Fest organising team. Their warmth and titanic effort to make this great project happen were key to the festival’s success.
Finally, I should mention that this festival draws on the legendary Coupe Icare, the festival at St Hilaire du Touvet in France, so it was an honour to have Daniel Raibon and Sara Gill, creators of the Coupe Icare, as special guests.
At Ojovolador we hope the festival becomes established in the region and, without a doubt, I hope to return with many more flying friends so they can enjoy this unforgettable experience!
Accuracy competition results
Jacó Air Fest podiums
OVERALL ACCURACY
🏆 FIRST – Felipe Arboleda
🥈 SECOND – Jorge Hernández
🥉 THIRD – Diego López
WOMEN’S ACCURACY
🏆 FIRST – Katherine Gordillo
🥈 SECOND – Rosy Ortiz
🥉 THIRD – Emiko Morota
ACCURACY TEAMS
🏆 FIRST – Sky Team
HIKE & FLY
🏆 FIRST – Yamid Mauro Cristancho Sierra
🥈 SECOND – Daniel Wells
COSTUMES
🏆 FIRST – Katherine Angulo
🥈 SECOND – César
Useful links:
https://jacosportfest.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jacosportfest/
https://www.facebook.com/UnPaseoPorElCieloDeGarabito
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jac%C3%B3
https://www.govisitcostarica.co.cr/region/city.asp?cID=308
