ISA Judging & Officiating Official Presenter
Name: Ness De Icaza
Nationality: Panamanian
E-mail address: nessdeicaza@cwpanama.net
Country and/or region where you present the ISA Judging Course?
Panama
How many years have you been surfing and judging?
I’ve been surfing for 26 years and Judging and Officiating for the last 15 years
Why the decision to become a Judge?
On one hand because of my vocation as a law student first and as a Lawyer later, I have always been linked to the rules and procedure that govern the different aspects of our lives. So you could say it was a natural move for me. On the other hand, despite my passion for surfing, I had never truly dedicated the time needed to stand out in the competitive area. So I thought that in the technical area as a judge would be the best way of staying involved with the sport, and it was!
What are your goals in respects to judging?
First, I’m going to start by not speaking in singular but in plural, because I’m not alone in this journey. Right now in Panama, there are many guys working together to bring our country to the 21st century in surfing.
So our goal is to learn everything about the best techniques in international judging and officiating and become a multiplier factor for all of our Panamanian brothers and sister in surf (kids, competitors, managers, parents, etc.).
What are your favorite surf breaks?
Venao Beach, (I grow my surfing skills there) and Teta Point, both in Panama.
Do you have any other hobbies other than surfing?
Informal discussion circles (politics, laws, sports, philosophy, doctrine, etc.), and hanging out with my family and friends.
Any other comments that might help promote the ISA Judging and Development Programs?
WORK TOGETHER AS A FUNCTIONAL FAMILY!! That’s the key factor.
If you can project harmony to the others, you will manage to stimulate them and to fill them with enthusiasm to become a part of it.
