American surfing legend Kurt Van Dyke was killed during a violent home invasion in a Costa Rican coastal town over the weekend, authorities said. The 66-year-old, who had lived in Costa Rica and owned a hotel in Puerto Viejo, was found dead on Saturday morning in his apartment in Cahuita. His body showed signs of strangulation and stab wounds, according to Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ).
Van Dyke was in the apartment with a woman, reportedly his 31-year-old girlfriend, when two armed men confronted them. The suspects threatened them with a firearm and held them for several minutes while stealing valuables, including a vehicle. The woman suffered minor, non-life-threatening injuries.
Originally from Santa Cruz, California, Van Dyke was well regarded in the international surfing community and known for his participation in competitions and efforts to grow the sport in the Caribbean. His family had deep roots in surfing; his mother, Betty Van Dyke, was among the pioneering group of early female surfers, and his father, Gene Van Dyke, was also a well-known surfer.
His brother, Peter Van Dyke, told the San Francisco Chronicle: “My brother was a very benevolent, giving person who would help just about anybody. Kurt would never hurt anybody, and he was always there when you needed him.” A childhood friend, David Smith, recalled: “Basically, he was the king of Salsa Brava. They would call him the king.”
Roger Sams, president of the Southern Caribbean Chamber of Tourism and Commerce, described the killing as an isolated incident, stating: “There have been no cases of violence reported like this against tourists… This is an isolated case.” Raw Surf, a global media company dedicated to surfing culture, offered condolences, writing: “Our hearts go out to Kurt’s family and the Costa Rican surfing community for this unimaginable loss.”
Van Dyke is survived by his three children: Salvador, 23; Lulu, 21; and Jacob, 7.
