The story behind Costa Rica's "Grampa Ninja"

Fred Grotenhuis, aka Grampa Ninja has been piloting helicopters, fixed wing, hot air balloons and powered parachutes for over 44 years. He started his flying career in 1966 as a helicopter pilot in the military. Afterwards he served in the reserves and also took up flying fixed wing. In the 80's he got his balloon license and in 2000 purchased his first powered parachute. Fred was introduced to paragliding in 2002, quickly achieved his P2 rating and hasn't looked back since.

In 2002 Fred Grotenhuis began exploring sites in Costa Rica. There he met up with a group of young pilots that pioneered some launch sites that to some other paragliders seemed overly challenging. This group became known in Costa Rica paragliding circles as The Ninjas. At the time Fred began paragliding he was almost 60 years of age and his spanish was very limited. The Ninjas gladly welcomed Fred, but what Fred didn't know was they also nicknamed him Grampa Ninja in spanish. One day someone spilled the beans and in the same way The Ninja's embraced Fred, he embraced the name. As Fred's passion for Costa Rica and paragliding grew, he decided to build a bed and breakfast and called it Grampa Ninja's B&C (bed and coffee). The Bed and Coffee was open during Costa Rica's premier flying time (December to April). In 2009 the B&C has evolved into an official B&B serving a full breakfast to guests. Grandpa Ninja's offers paragliding guide services, transportation to and from the airport (San Jose is about an hour away), free wifi and relaxing common areas with cable tv, hammocks, bbq grill and a recently added 8 foot pool. Today Grampa Ninja's is open anytime someone is coming our way - whether it be for paragliding or sightseeing. For those exploring the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, there is plenty to do nearby. Grampa Ninja can help you put together an exciting itinerary for a great Costa Rican vacation.

 

The Ninjas

Call for Reservations & Guide Services

Costa Rica: B&B, 011-506-2-664-6833 – Cell phone, 011-506-8-950-8676
United States: 908-454-3242
Email: fgrotenhuis@hotmail.com