MattIas Braun got the National Bank Tournament

Source: Carlos Enrique Brenes - Costa Rican Surfing Federation

After an intense surfing weekend at Guiones Beach, Nosara, the surfer from Montezuma, Mattías Braun obtained the National Bank Title in the fourth stage of the National Surfing Tour. This is his first title in the Open division.

Even though Gilbert Brown had been doing a great tour so far, Braun’s maneuvers at Nosara’s waves were something to remember. He obtained the highest scores both on Saturday and Sunday.

It was easy for the judges to pick up the best surfer of the competition, Braun’s combinations and technical skills stood out. With a constant performance both days of competition he was by far the best surfer.

Mattías Braun climbed several positions on the Open ranking. This gave him a strong shot into the Costa Rica Surfing Team for the Central American Surfing Championship that will take place next March in Panama. He is now in the fifth position of the ranking.

Diego Naranjo, who was fourth in the ranking, didn’t compete at Nosara, this helped Braun to move up. Also, Jason Torres and Jairo Pérez, who are in the second and third place respectively, didn’t had good performances and were eliminated before the semifinals.

Mattías added 1500 points in this 4-stars event; but Gilbert Brown strong position in the tour is a tough competition for the surfer from Montezuma. Brown, who obtained the third position got lucky with the Diego Naranjo’s absence and Torres and Perez’s not so good performances to consolidate his position in the ranking.

Mattías, Gilbert, Juan Carlos Naranjo and Carlos Muñoz were the Open finalist. Carlos Muñoz, with only 14 years old, made it to his first ever Open Final in Costa Rica.

Once out of the water, Braun said: “You need to surf really good, concentration, ambition, innovation and above all, you need not to make mistakes in order to win the Open division in Costa Rica. The first mistake you make you are out and that affects your position in the ranking a lot. Now I need to be constant to keep my good standing.”

Female division
Once again the Costa Rican several-times-Champion, Lisbeth Vindas won the National Tour. She has won now three stages and has stopped champion Nataly Bernold from winning any of them.

Lisbeth has proved that she still has a lot surfing to show. Even though the big surfer Laura Pecoraro from Pavones is competing in the tournament and will continue for the next three stages of the tour.

In the Junior, Jairo Perez was beaten by the runner-up of the Triple Crown, Anderson Tascón. Tascon had been working hard for this title. He was awarded with a brand new custom Banzaii Board.

Nevertheless, Jairo Perez got the second position and he still has a strong lead in the Junior ranking.

Cedric Aufrret, current Longboard Champ, won again in this classic division.

The best waves of the 2007-2008 Tour could be seen at Guiones Beach. Throughout the tournament, except for the final, waves of 3 to 5 feet could be seen. There was also a record of attendance; more than 300 surfers were registered for this tournament.

Even more surfers are expected to participate on the next stage that will take place on March, 15-16 at Playa del Carmen in Mal Pais. This will be the final instance to choose the national team that will defend the Isthmus Title in the Central American Championship Panama 2008.

Complete results

Open

1-     Mattías Braun
2-     Carlos Muñoz
3-     Gilbert Brown
4-     Juan Carlos Naranjo

Junior  (under 18)

1. Anderson Tascón
2. Jairo Pérez
3. Jordan Hernández
4. Carlos Muñoz

Female

1-  Lisbeth Vindas
2-  Nataly Bernold
3-  Debbie Zec
4-  Laura Pecorano

Longboard

1. Cedric Auffret
2. Mauricio Umaña
3. Adolfo Gómez
4. Cristian Santamaría

Masters  (Over  35)

1-  Mauro Sergio Oliveira
2-   Cassio Carvalho
3-  Marcelo Matos
4-  Carlos Velarde

Boys  (under 16)

1. Carlos Muñoz
2. Danny Bishko
3. Rudy Jimenez
4. José Calderón

Grommets  (under 14)

1-     Manuel Mesén
2-     Josué Rodríguez
3-     Anthony Filligam
4-     Elijah Guy

Mini-Grommets (under 12)
1-     Manuel Mesén
2-     Noemar McGonagle
3-     Josué Rodríguez
4-     Leonardo Calvo 

Female Junior  (under 18)
1-     Nataly Bernold
2-     Debbie Zec
3-     Anatassssio Patterson
4-     Julie Javelle 

Female Mini-Grommet  (under 12)
1-     Martha Fillingam
2-     Arishe Grioti
3-     Michelle Rodríguez
4-     Avalon Esterak 

Beginner
1-     Vader Draz
2-     David Torres
3-     José Angel López
4-     Andrés Gutiérrez 

Bodyboard
1-     Richard Marín
2-     Joan Mojice
3-     Reiner Montenegro
4-     Oscar Ulate 

Female Bodyboard
1-     Anne-Céale Lacoste
2-     Jimena Calvo
3-     Lorena Vera
4-     Dineth Arce 


About International Surfing Association
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding and surfriding. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964 and the Junior World Championships since 1980. 

ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of over 50 countries on six continents. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California. It is presided by Fernando Aguerre, first elected in 1994 in Rio, and re-elected six times since.  The ISA's four Vice Presidents are Alan Atkins (Australia), Robin de Kock (South Africa), Maile Aguerre (Hawaii) and Mike Gerard (USA).

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