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It’s not the first-place jackpot, which is modest compared to other tournaments. It’s not the number of fish that are caught, although those numbers are considerable. And it’s certainly not the promotional models or provocative dancers wearing minimal attire, neither of which you will find in this family-friendly environment.
So, what is it that makes the Los Sueños Signature Triple Crown one of the most prestigious and ambitious in the world? I’ve been photographing this tournament for the last decade, and I can tell you that the Triple Crown is worthy of its reputation and esteem.
On the smaller side, the tournament averages around 40 boats for each leg of the three-part series, occurring in January, February and March of each year. Open only to property owners at Los Sueños, the Triple Crown includes fine dining, live music and festivities. Its artwork, apparel, gift bags, sponsors and awards banquet are what one would expect at this level of event: second to none.
Competitors must hook their own fish, a rule that creates a challenge and weeds out any novice angler or hobbyist. Most anglers hold the rod all day, a feat that only those who truly love the sport will endure. The tournament scores are based on the number of sailfish and marlin caught and released, so luck takes a backseat to skill, and a place in the winner’s circle is a coveted and hard-fought triumph. Even to be a deckhand in this tournament requires a staunch work ethic and endurance.
Most tournaments have turned to technology to prove scores, while the Triple Crown has retained its use of IGFT Observers to call out each catch and ensure the rules are met. The level of competition is unmatched, and as a result, this tournament attracts and retains quality teams year after year.
Then there is the “venue.”
When Los Sueños founder Bill Royster saw the unmatched beauty of the site, he envisioned a resort that would become a world-renowned destination. Its condos and villas, calm waters and year-round fishery attract those with a serious passion for sport fishing. Tournament after tournament, I hear people say there’s not another place like it in the world.
When the Triple Crown director, Ashley Bretecher, first invited me to photograph the action in 2015, her feedback gave me a clue as to why this tournament is special: She liked the way I captured the people involved. As a new cameraman on the scene, I was pleasantly surprised by the dreamy smiles that met my lens, and I snapped these shots as much as, or perhaps even more, than the boats and the fish.
When I returned to Costa Rica in the ensuing years, I noticed a singular visual focus. The dock-show videos highlighted newcomers and regulars alike, and the majority of photos displayed on the walls of the Hook Up restaurant that overlooks the marina featured Triple Crown boat owners, competitors and captains—not catches or yachts, but faces.
When you compete at Los Sueños, it is not unusual to receive a “Good morning!” from Central American fishing legends John LaGrone and Bubba Carter. You’ll find captains who have fished all over the world, such as Ronnie Fields, and owner-operators like Brooks Smith and Hans Kraaz.
Custom-yacht builders Paul Mann and Paul Spencer have fished the Triple Crown with clients, and John Bayliss has graced the stage several times with his Tarheel team. The Duffies continue to make headlines, even after John Duffie left to pursue boatbuilding. Pat Healey of Viking Yachts teams up with Carmine Galati each year, with the talented Capt. Tony Carizosa at the helm, becoming the winningest team in the tournament’s history. The Triple Crown has even caught the attention of basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan, who competed this year.
Despite the serious nature of the tournament, you’ll find fun-loving camaraderie on the docks. The marina is like a small town each morning, with neighborly chitchat, handshakes and grins as participants wish each other good luck while secretly hoping this day will be theirs to win.
You see, it’s the people that make the Triple Crown a tournament like none other, and I’m reminded of that every day that I step into Los Sueños.
It was my full-time work with Freedom Alliance, a charity that supports US military and their families, that first brought me there in 2013, when Los Sueños residents banded together under our banner to provide the ultimate getaway for wounded service members. That first trip turned into an annual event, and today, Freedom Alliance offers year-round programming at Los Sueños. Since I started documenting the tournaments, many more residents have joined the cause, opening their hearts, homes and boats to our war heroes.
These tournament competitors are not only elite anglers but also noble benefactors, providing fishing, housing, meals, transportation, tours and more. They ensure the warriors who come to their little slice of the sea know that their sacrifices are appreciated and not forgotten.
The Triple Crown competitors may be some of the best sport fishermen in the world, but they are also some of the best people I know.
Charters
- Maverick Sport Fishing
- Geaux Fly
- Tropic Fly
- Super Fly
- Tijereta – Capt. Bubba Carter
Lodging
The following groups have great websites for rental property availability within Los Sueños:
- Stay in Costa Rica (top choice)
- HRG Costa Rica
- Costa Rica Dream Makers
- Los Sueños Marriott
Dining
Los Sueños restaurants
- Nothing beats the Hook Up
- Private chef: Kenia from Zona K
- Coco’s at Herradura Beach (off-site)
Jaco restaurants:
- Zona K
- KoKo Gastro Bar
- Tsunami Sushi
- Jerah Thai
- Graffiti
- El Manglar
- El Point
Activities
- Golf at Los Sueños (Iguana Golf Course)
- Costa Cat Cruises (Isla Tortuga)
- Lista Los Sueños Adventure Park
- (ATVs, zip lines, horseback riding)
- Rainmaker Conservation Park
