NEW KDHamptons Travel Diaries keep rolling in and I love seeing where Hamptonites are zipping off to for their last trips before the summer season. This week we hear from Montauk resident Greg Gould, who spends his winters in San Diego, California. Come summer, you’ll find this lifelong summer Hamptonite shredding waves at Ditch Plains, and DJing at some of the hottest spots on the East End including: Surf Lodge, Ruschmeyer’s, Sloppy Tuna, The Montauk Beach House, and Cross Eyed Clam. Greg sends his KDHamptons Travel Diary in from Costa Rica, where he recently ventured for an epic surf trip with friends: 

Greg shares: Four guys – Peter, Travis, Rick, and myself. We rented a van from San Diego and drove an hour north to fly out of LAX at 2am. Six hours later, and six jack-and-cokes deep, we finally landed at San Jose airport, Costa Rica. After getting a rental car, we strapped our boards to the roof and headed towards the Pacific side – our destination? Playa Hermosa. I have visited Costa Rica before, when I was about 18, so this trip was basically a whole new experience for me. A lot has changed…

We finally pulled up to our hotel, “Las Olas.” The best part was the view, and getting to wake up every morning to perfect waves right out front [below]. Empty barrels. The other best part about the hotel besides the view and location was their restaurant. Wednesdays are sushi night – $20 all-you-can-eat!

On the down side? The humidity and heat was unbearable. It was 100 degrees every day. The blistering hot black sand would scorch the bottom of your feet if you didn’t sprint to the shoreline fast enough. The lack of fan speed and absence of A/C made for pretty uncomfortable sleeping at night. Playa Hermosa doesn’t have much of a nightlife, but one place we did get to check out was called “The Backyard”. The beach bar/restaurant holds a weekly local surf contest, and they serve awesome drinks out of fresh coconuts.

Our typical day started at 6am. On our first day in Costa, we loaded up our boards and headed south to a few remote surf spots that only a few people know about. Usually after every morning surf session, the tradewinds pick up and the waves get choppy. Then it’s time for breakfast. My favorite place to surf in Costa Rica: Rock Piles [secret spot], a right turn [I couldn’t even tell you where it is, even if I tried]…..and a left- to Boca Barranca, about an hour north. We had a local guy, Steve, show us all the good spots – he lives down in Playa Hermosa most of the year and runs “Las Olas” hotel.

I love to travel and surf, but come summer I am Montauk bound. My girlfriend Cambria [above and below] and I are very close to our families, who both live there. We are also similar in the way we think and act, same morals and goals in life. I love working with Cambria. We always come up with crazy ideas, we’re super spontaneous and creative thinkers.We make a great team!

I have been DJing since a teenager. I love music and love to make people dance. I was 15 when my parents bought me my first set of turntables. I’ve always had a strong passion for music. Growing up watching some of my favorite DJ’s spin on TV, I was able to pick it up naturally. I practiced a lot, and DJing is now something I enjoy to do on the side. I go by “DJ Woogstylz”, but recently I shortened it to “DJ Woogz”. It became kind of catchy…and now some of my friends refer to me as “woogz” when they see me.

Last summer, 2012, I purchased a jeep wrangler in San Diego and shipped it to NY, and I bought a fresh water fishing boat. Fishing is probably my favorite hobby next to surfing and golfing. My older brother, Jimmy and I have been fishing since kids. We love to take advantage of my new boat whenever we can. Here are a few confirmed gigs to find DJ Woogz this season:

“Summervention” @ The Sloppy Tuna; Musical therapy with Woogz; “Big Wednesday” @ The Clam

I will see you all on the sand, surf, and dance floor this summer!! Greg