By Carlos Brenes- Costa Rica Surfing Federation

Judges clinic Level 1: Approved!
More than 30 people attended the installations of the Christian Surfers in Jacó Beach this past Saturday, July 26th. The first Judges Clinic Level 1 took place led by Alex ‘Coqui’ Valverde, Costa Rican Head Judge, ISA certified.

Among those newly interested in evaluating surf competitions, surfers themselves and those interested in expanding their criteria on this matter, the training was a complete success. The class lasted nearly four hours, doubts and uncertainties were addressed on each topic and attendees arrived on time.

Some of the topics discussed were maneuvers, style, critical parts of the wave, variety of maneuvers, and one in which scores of doubts were cleared: interferences, paddling interferences and double interferences.
The clinic provided each attendee with important, official teaching material regarding ISA rules as well as the certificate of participation with the signature and seal of the Costa Rica Surfing Federation (CSF).

It is very important to emphasize the participation of the possible new judges of the CSF that arrived from all different parts of the country, such as: Limón, Sámara, San José, and from the Center and South Pacific.
Among those present were various judges that form part of the Federation staff on stops of the National Surf Tour. These judges were eager to share the experience with the other attendees.

“We need to grow as a federation, and in saying federation I am referring to the surfers, members of the institution, as well as the judges,” affirmed Head Judge Valverde during the Clinic.

“We are not number eight in the world (the Costa Rican selection) solely because of the individual capabilities that the Costa Rican surfers boast; rather that most of working in a group is the manner in which one is evaluated during the national competitions.
We, as judges, should walk to the rhythm of the world surfing criteria,” added Valverde.
In the same way, the opportunity was presented at the end of the clinic to put into practice the principal criteria using the competition videos of the ASP. In the end, the exercise was reviewed and scores were corrected.

“I consider this very important now that you can see the judging from an inside point of view", commented Jose Ureña to the attendees. "The federation board of judges needs to grow and become increasingly more professional, and this is the best way to begin that process", he added.


Master Tournament at Playa Hermosa
The first contest for surfers over 35 will take place the weekend of August 30th & 31st, in Terrazas del Pacífico of Playa Hermosa, Jacó.

The first tournament is dedicated to the Legends of Costa Rica and organized by the Costa Rica Surfing Federation (CSF). It seeks, among other things, to consolidate a national Master team for the international engagements.
Sign-ups for the contest, which kicks off on Saturday the 30th at 8 a.m., will take place on the 29th at Hotel Terrazas del Pacífico, from 5 to 7 p.m. This same night, as a dedication to the Legends, there is a Hawaiian party in the hotel and surfers from the Open category will star in night surfing.

During this weekend, Hotel Terrazas del Pacífico will offer special rates for the surfers that wish to stay in the hotel. The economic packages include a room for three people at a rate of 60 dollars per night.
Those surfers over 35 years of age that wish to do pre-sign ups can do so by calling 22 35 64 00 or via email at info@surfingcr.net.

Federico Pilurzu speaks out against student desertion
Source: SPG
Surfer Federico Pilurzu gave two motivational speeches to 105 students of the Villarreal and 27 de Abril communities. He spoke in the canton of Santa Cruz, Guanacaste- an event organized by the Fundación Acción Joven (FAJ, www.accionjoven.org).

Over the course of a few days, Pilurzu hosted a meeting with 60 students of Col Tec 27 de abril and 45 educators of Liceo de Villareal in which, along with psychology students that carry out their ‘Trabajo Comunal Universitario’ (TCU) through the FAJ, he offered a dissertation on the importance of fighting for one’s dreams and maintain oneself in the formal education system.

The Executive Director of the Foundation, José Aguilar, explained that this organization developed a Project called ‘La voluntad al servicio de los sueños’ that is meant to fight against student desertion in areas of social risk. The project is managed in coordination with the program Avancemos of the Vice Ministry of Social Development.

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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