By Carlos Brenes –Costa Rican Surf Federation - www.surfingcr.net

Puntarenas Municipality Alive with Surf
During a recent annual event in Boca Barranca, Puntarenas, local surfing received encouragement when the Puntarenas Mayor, Agnes Gómes, gave way to the Province’s 150th anniversary celebrations during this surfing event.

And thanks to the approval of the present Minister of Tourism, Carlos Ricardo Benavidez, surfing gave kickoff to this enormous pretentious-character celebration.

Year after year, hundreds of thousands come to the area to enjoy the festivities of one of the most characteristic communities of Costa Rica. This time, it was the Puntarenas surf that said: “Welcome to Puntarenas”.

National Team Listing for Portugal 2008
The President of the Costa Rican Surf Federation (FSC), José Ureña, Publisher today the list of national team members for the next great international event, the World Open that will happen in Costa da Caparica, Portugal, from 11-19 October.

The Open Costa Rican team returns to what is considered the main world event for national teams – the World Open Championship, after their magnificent participation in California 2006, where it was placed 8th in the world and 4th in the Tag Team Cup, which held the best eight teams.
On that occasion, Costa Rica brought back its first world medal, after prevailing over the French, Portuguese, Spanish and US teams. It also was the best positioned Latin Spanish-speaking nations in the final ranking. And finally, individually, the best Hispanic was Gilbert Brown, positioned 15th among more than 100 competitors.

This will be the third participation of Costa Rican athletes in a World Open after the Surf Federation was created in the year 2000. In Ecuador 2004, our team reached 9th place while obtaining an 8th place in California. Furthermore, this will be the last world championship before seating this great event in July and August 2009.

The team listing is as follows:
Open
Gilbert Brown
Luis Vindas
Jason Torres
Germaine Myrie
Matías Braun (substitute)
Isaac Vega (substitute)

Women
Lisbeth Vindas
Nataly Bernold
Verónica Quirós (substitute)

Longboard
Diego Naranjo
Cristian Santamaría (substitute)

Boogie Women
Jimena Calvo
Cindy Díaz (substitute)

Boggie Men
Richard Marín
Yeffrey Gómez
Walter Gatgens (substitute)

Legends of Costa Rica Tour
As expected, the quality of the swell in Costa Rica’s Pacific was going to surpass 7 ft with a favorable wind direction during the days of activity. The “Legends of Costa Rica” Tour brought together the best older than 35-years-old surfers in the finals that took place from 10 am to 1 pm approximately. The result: the best tube spectacle seen in years during a Costa Rican Surf Federation competition.
With a rapid and strong swell in Terrazas del Pacífico, breaking perfectly on both sides and peaks that reached 10 ft, the surfing cathedral made itself special for the last two categories that competed in the 35 to 40 and 40 to 45 years old grouping.

The show seemed planned for the last five minutes of the last final of the day, the one with 35-40 year old athletes. Randall “Frijol” Chávez stole the show and obtained the first place in this category with a long right-leaning tube of at least 7 feet tall that made the spectators breathless. Then, Gustavo Castillo (4th in the heat) gave a similar spectacle to Chávez’s and managed to drive out the adrenaline of those present.

The national Masters Champion of the National Surf Circuit, Mauro Sergio Oliveira, tried to surpass them with his enviable ripping. But classical technique and experience prevailed over the radicalism and innovation that characterize modern surfing. Oliveira thus obtained a third place after Tommy Bernsodof, who gave his best to add up and position himself in the second place.

In the 40-45 category, the familiar Alejandro Monge fulfilled his promise and obtained the first place in this category, based on long traveling motions in which he abused of roundhouses and tubes that have him sufficient points to obtain this division’s trophy.

Victor Fallas and Christopher “Kiki” Commarieu, tried their best during the 25 minutes established for the competition, and obtained the second and third positions respectively in this category.

In the 45-50 category, the American-born installed in Puerto Viejo de Limón and registered with the name of “Tequila” was in charge of the show and the only surfer to obtain a glorious 10-point tube, after a prolonged and cylindrical right that took him inside and opened a small window through which he exited with this hands upwards and showing a perfect ten. It was the best wave in the event.
The others were not able to add as he did, and he consequently obtained first place in his category.
The excellent surfer Brian Michael, probably the greater “ripper” among the masters, obtained the second place, while Ian Douglas was third.

And finally, in the golden category (more than 50-years-old), Ian Douglas got hold of the first place when he prevailed over the second competitor, Edward Alexander.
After this, the trophies and prizes were distributed. Homage was paid in recognition for his brilliant career to Carlos Villalobos, 10-time national champion during the 80’s, and to Mario “Fuerzas” Rodriguez for his collaboration in making the event full of legendary athletes.

“The Masters left us a positive outlook with regards the level we pretend for the national team, and they really gave their best. On the other hand, I want to thank all those that participated, both organizers and competitors, and made it possible for this competition to happen. Our objective is that to organize this competition on a yearly basis and that it brings together more competitors every time”, declared José Ureña, President of the Costa Rican Surf Federation.

Final Results

Category 50+ years
Ian Douglas
Edward Alexander

Category 45 – 50 years-old
Craig “Tequila” Schieber
Brian Michael
Ian Douglas

Category 40 – 45
Alejandro Monge
Víctor Fallas
Christophe “Kiki” Commarieu

Category 35 – 40
Randall Chávez
Tommy Bernsdof
Mauro Sergio Oliveira

 Costa Rican Media and Surf
According to recent research carried out by the Costa Rican Surf Federation (FSC) related to the promotion of the national press that publishes more articles every day on surfing news, the FSC revealed that the articles published in the national media more than doubled during the 2007-2008 National Circuit than during 2006-2007.

The President of FSC himself, José Ureña, said this achievement was due in the first place to the organizers and communications team of the Circuit, that are investing more, and because during the past Circuit there where more TV stations visiting the beaches to record action scenes, plus the Miss Organic and Natural Surf pageant that undoubtedly attracted media through its different theme campaign.

FSC pretends presenting a further step in communications next year, managing to forward to press media, updated and last minute material in the form of audio recordings for radio, as well as videos of competitions for the Costa Rican TV stations.

First-quality photographic material is offered by renowned Shifi, of Shifi Surf Shots, who will continue to present sublime photo galleries in the Federation’s website: www.surfingcr.net

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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