PLAYA HERRADURA, Costa Rica – The Old Dominion men’s basketball team was back at Vista Los Sueños Adventure Park on Thursday morning, this time for a guided ATV tour. The Monarchs are in the midst of their week-long international trip to Costa Rica.
Although the morning started off with rain and some thunder, the weather cleared up just in time for the short bus ride to the park.
After a safety briefing, getting fitted for helmets and receiving instructions on how to operate the two different ATVs, the group of 40 set out in a single file line to a nearby test track to get accustomed to the steering and handling.
The Monarchs weren’t without a few hiccups at the start of their trip. Sophomore Scottie Hubbard discovered he wore the wrong shoes, but showed off his ingenuity by covering them in plastic bags. Sophomore Drew McKenna also took a brief detour from the test track, but recovered as everyone got their bearings and were ready to set out on the trail.
Many Monarchs had never ridden an ATV before, including junior forward Jared Turner.
“I’d never been ATV riding before. Both experiences were really cool and really fun. I ziplined when I was younger. At my school Mater Dei, we had an outdoor week with a lot of cool experiences there, but as a grown man, that was my first time doing either of the two and it was awesome.”
“The staff that gave out the instructions were good, so it was pretty simple,” continued Turner. “And then watching your teammates, just like in basketball, watch the guy in front of you. I love how we’re getting closer together through basketball and off the court with activities like this. It’s been a great experience.”
After about 30 minutes of riding on winding dirt paths through the rainforest and past several fields of grazing cattle, the group parked for a five-minute hike to a nearby waterfall. The Monarchs spent about 30 minutes there, with a number of people taking the opportunity to plunge into a pool and a few others dipping their heads directly underneath the waterfall.
“I’ve been on an ATV before and done some dirt bike riding, but it was a great time with the team,” added senior KC Shaw. “I’d say I liked the waterfall the most. That was different and something I’d never seen before. I did do a front flip with my guys and did get in the waterfall. I had a great time today.”
“It was a lot of fun being with the guys, especially going ziplining yesterday being up in the trees,” said sophomore Ben Nacey. Asked what his favorite part about the day, he added, “I liked being able to jump off into the natural swimming pool they had out there. It was a lot of fun even though the water was a little cold.”
The group then hiked back to their ATVs and rode for another 45 minutes. With the rainfall, there were plenty of opportunities for the team to open up the throttle and drive through the mud.
“I was happy that it wasn’t too hot, but it was nice being able to go real fast through the puddles of water and spray people behind me,” said Nacey.
Upon arriving back at the compound and parking the ATVs, the team washed their hands and enjoyed lunch before taking the bus ride back to the resort.
The Monarchs then capped off the day with a beach farewell dinner. The team will check out of their hotel on Friday afternoon and head back to San José.