Santa Cruz Surfing Icon Kurt Van Dyke Killed in Costa Rica

The 66-year-old son of legendary California surfing family was reportedly murdered during a robbery in his hotel apartment.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Kurt Van Dyke, a longtime resident of the Costa Rican surf town of Cahuita and the son of famous Santa Cruz surfing pioneers Gene and Betty Van Dyke, was reportedly killed last weekend in what appears to be a homicide during a robbery at his hotel apartment. Van Dyke's body was found with signs of asphyxiation and multiple stab wounds, according to early investigative findings. Two men allegedly entered Van Dyke's apartment, held him and a woman at gunpoint, and then attacked Van Dyke before fleeing the scene.

Why it matters

The death of Kurt Van Dyke, a well-known figure in the surfing community with deep roots in Santa Cruz, has shocked many who knew him. As the son of pioneering surfers Gene and Betty Van Dyke, Kurt carried on his family's legacy and passion for the sport. His killing in Costa Rica, a popular surf destination, raises concerns about safety for travelers and the broader impacts of violent crime in the region.

The details

According to reports, two men entered Van Dyke's apartment in Cahuita, Costa Rica and held him and a woman at gunpoint. The assailants then attacked Van Dyke, leading to his death by asphyxiation and multiple stab wounds. The suspects allegedly took valuable items from the apartment before fleeing the scene in two vehicles, including one that was stolen from the property. The woman, who was tied up, survived the ordeal.

  • On February 11, 2026, Kurt Van Dyke's body was discovered in his apartment in Cahuita, Costa Rica.
  • The incident was reported to Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Agency at 10:50 a.m. on February 11, 2026.

The players

Kurt Van Dyke

A 66-year-old Santa Cruz native and member of a legendary California surfing family who owned a hotel called Hotel Puerto Viejo in the Costa Rican surf town of Cahuita.

Gene Van Dyke

Kurt Van Dyke's father, who was considered a pioneer of surfing in Santa Cruz and known for surfing the North Shore of Oahu alongside surf legends.

Betty Van Dyke

Kurt Van Dyke's mother, who was an early female surfing pioneer in Santa Cruz in the 1950s and 1960s and also ran a successful organic fruit ranch in Gilroy.

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What they’re saying

“He was a class act. Just someone who you'd want to hang out with … was passionate about surfing; passionate about life.”

— Bob Pearson, Well-known Santa Cruz surfer and owner of Pearson Arrow Surfboards (santacruzsentinel.com)

“This is how I will always remember him, doing what he loved. RIP My Brother.”

— Garth Seagrave, Longtime friend of Kurt Van Dyke (Facebook)

What’s next

Investigators have collected evidence at the scene and interviewed witnesses, but no arrests have been made yet. They are examining all possible angles, including robbery as a potential motive.

The takeaway

The tragic death of Kurt Van Dyke, a beloved figure in the Santa Cruz surfing community, highlights the risks that travelers can face in popular tourist destinations and the need for improved safety measures to protect visitors. His family's legacy as pioneering surfers also underscores the deep cultural significance of surfing in coastal California.