Natasha Brown

Founder

Accidentally stumbling upon Puerto Viejo in 2013, Natasha came in search of waves and adventure. Instead, she found her family and a vibrant community that felt like home.

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With a background in education and technology, she saw an opportunity to use her skills to showcase the incredible talent of this town to the world. And just like that, Salty Afro was born—a movement celebrating diversity, culture, and the pure joy of surfing.

Topo Hernandez

Director of Surf

Topo is a kind hearted surfer with a strong willingness to help others. He has an admirable connection with nature and is an amazing storyteller, sharing stories of Puerto Viejo when it was still in it's pure, raw form.

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The sea is his home, and he is truly a living legend. Topo graces us with his extensive knowledge and love of the sea, with a strong desire to help each and every surfer enjoy their time both on land and in the water. We are both honored and grateful to have Topo's energy guide the Salty Afro team!

Jetsie Hernandez

Coach, Operations Manager

Jetsie, a Puerto Viejo native, comes from a family of surf royalty. The daughter of local surf legend Topo, Jetsie overcame her fear of water- and hasn't left the board since! She is gifted with such a graceful surf style that cannot be replicated.

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When she’s not surfing, Jetsie devotes her time to healing and restoration. Through InnerSER, she explores healing through touch, creating deeply intentional experiences that help others reconnect with their bodies, It’s about presence, energy, and guiding people back to themselves.

Darshan South

Coach

Darshan graces us with his presence from the quiet laid back town of Manzanillo, the last stop on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica before the Panamanian border. To say Darshan has talent is an understatement. What makes him such a force is his devotion and commitment to perfecting his craft.

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Watching him just once on a wave is a sight you'll never forget. His charismatic personality and charm make him the heart & soul of the Salty Afro team!

Moushel Salomòn

Coach

From a young age Moushell has had a natural connection to the water, starting by just sharing some waves with friends at Cocles beach.

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After some time, she realized that her skills in the water were a gift, and started to pursue body boarding professionally, placing in the 2020 Salsa Brava Challenge. When she's not competing, she can be seen training in some of the biggest waves out at Salsa Brava. Her courage and strength is the perfect addition to our

Salty Afro team!

Jordan Hernandez

Coach

Jordan is one of those rare locals who feels like he is Puerto Viejo itself. From the time he was a young kid, it was obvious he had something special. ​

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As Topo’s son, surfing was a language passed down, refined over years in the water. Jordan took that and pushed his surfing beyond Costa Rica, where his style, confidence, and adaptability truly leveled up. ​Today, Jordan represents the next generation, and we are proud to stand beside him as he continues to shape the future of surfing here!

Yilber Cortez

Videograpger

Born and raised in Puerto Viejo, Yilber grew up immersed in the local surf community, where the ocean, culture shaped his creativity. With a deep respect for surf, his work captures more than just visuals, it captures feeling.

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Yilber has a gift for storytelling that feels honest. Whether he’s filming in the water, or on his board, he brings a calm presence and an intuitive sense of timing that allows stories to unfold naturally. His lens reflects his love for nature, art, music, and the community- making him an essential part of both the surf community and Salty Afro Surf.