The Viking and His Soul

Before roof tops dotted the shoreline and the roads were even paved, a young California beach boy, along with his dog, sailed into Flamingo Bay, Costa Rica.  Thirty years later his adventure continues in this growing community in Guanacaste Providence. The perfect captain for your catamaran charter in Costa Rica

Mark Bjorklund. His heritage name originates from the Viking legends where sailing the open waters were a way of life. “But my great grandfather was into electricity when it all began in Southern California.”

From engineer to full time sailor

Mark became a fourth-generation electrical engineer…but his Norwegian and Swedish genes responded to a more powerful urging that was instilled as a child.

“My mom took me almost daily when I was a boy to watch the sailboats as they glided on the water. I started sailing at age six and had my first paying marina job at 15, launching and receiving boats” Mark shared as he steered his catamaran, gazing at the ocean around him.

Fast forward to 1988 and Mark’s electrical engineering job couldn’t win out over his captivation of the beauty of sailing.

“I left Southern California, met up with a friend in Mexico then we raced south along the Mexico coast to Central America. When I sailed into Flamingo, something about this bay caught my attention,” Mark recalls.

He sailed his catamaran a little more south, but soon made a 180 degree turn to head back to Flamingo, and literally set anchor.

Mark developed the once flourishing Flamingo Marina, where up to 80 boats resided. He continued his sailboat delivering contracts, amassing over 122,000 nautical miles in his lifetime. He soon launched the first catamaran charter service in all of Costa Rica, Pacific Soul Sailing.

The one question I sought an answer to, “of all the places you’ve been to, why here?”

His response as he looked and pointed at the various features along the massive shoreline, “so many sailing options, views, places to go…places seldom visited by man. Look around…this is why”.

Indeed, Playa Flamingo has unlimited lagoons, vegetation, secluded beaches due to the mountain formations that extend into the sea. Pacific Soul Sailing provides the vehicle to capture it all.

years of experience for your catamaran charter Costa Rica

Mark’s customized sailing adventures offers the opportunity for guests to sail to islands and coves for snorkeling like at the Catalina Islands or exploring the Bat Islands and Santa Elena National Park. There’s an overnight option where you anchor in a quiet secluded cove, have a BBQ and sleep comfortably.

His crew all share in his passion for a safe and beautiful experience for guests. Nick Martin has worked with Mark for over two and a half years. The youngest member of the crew is a 16 year with the same last name, Mark’s son Dilan.

The guests on this adventure were locals who brought two first time guests from Chicago who wanted to start the high season sailing with friends. What began as a four-hour schedule was expanded as the return leg home was met with a fresh steady wind, however, the guest had the extra hour and enjoyed watching Mark and his crew equip Pacific Soul to catch every bit of wind as we sailed gracefully through the sea.

As I observed the veteran of the seas, I asked him if it ever gets old and how does he measure success?

Mark, with his whimsical expression, “get old? No way! Look around. Every day is a fresh adventure. Then seeing the people smile as they enjoy their adventure makes it all worthwhile.”

sailing into pura vida

Sitting back and observing this adventure offered a relaxing time as the endless beauty passed by while hearing the wind and watching it fill the sail as the catamaran cut through the gentle sea set the ambiance, as a Latin reggae track filled in nicely.

The fresh snacks, food and beverages complimented the excursion.

Watching the dolphins swim along the boat and even spotting mana rays shooting out of the sea was an ongoing display of beauty.

Pacific Soul Sailing, your non routine ocean excursion opportunity. Where you choose the duration, destination and focus. An adventure lead by a veteran wave maker in the Costa Rica waters, Mark Bjorklund.

By Terry Carlile