Source: Costa Rican Surf Federation- http://www.surfingcr.net

The 2008-2009 Costa Rican Tour Begins
The Costa Rican Surf Federation’s Press Department declares the start of what could be called the most important Circuit in the country’s history. The best athletes in their categories will be rewarded by being nominated to the Costa Rican team that will host the 2009 Billabong World Surfing Games explosion, which will be the major surfing event ever to take place in a Central American country.

The following events will be part of the Costa Rican National Surf Circuit:

LOCATION
DATES
CATEGORY
Date 1
Mango Cup
Hermosa Beach
28, 29 & 30 November, 2008
5-star
Date 2
Coca Cola Zero Tournament
Jacó Beach
12, 13 & 14 December, 2008
4-star
Date 3
Witch's Rock Tournament
Tamarindo Beach
9, 10 & 11 January, 2009
4-star
Date 4
Balance Natural Cup
Nosara Beach
6, 7 & 8 February
5-star
Date 5
Day & Night Tournament
Santa Teresa Beach
6, 7 & 8 March
5-star
Grand Final
Reef Terraces
Hermosa Beach
1, 2 & 3 May
6-star

Metropolitan Surfing Circuit
The Metropolitan Surfing Circuit (previously called Chepeño Circuit) is a new challenge to the Federation. It is an Open championship for surfers that reside in the cities. FSC is now part of the institution’s organizing committee, supplying logistics and operational standards during the three events that conform the Circuit, which will also take place during the 2009 summer season.

This is an opportunity for those surfers that train during the weekends and holidays, and are not part of the Confederation.

The competitions will take place on the following dates:

Meeting Place Date
1st Stage EsterillosBeach 24 - 25 January 2009
2nd Stage Jacó Beach 21 - 22 February 2009
3rd Stage Hermosa Beach 18 - 19 April 2009

Official world accreditation for judges
After the second CNS event, Alex Valverde, Chief of Judges of the Surfing Federation, will be administering a Level-1 official course for judges, endorsed by Surfing Australia and the ISA – International Surfing Association. This will allow approved judges to act in any championship in the world.

This 8-hour course will be carried out during the second CNS event in Jacó Beach, on Friday 12 and Saturday 13, from 5 to 9 p.m., in a location yet to be confirmed. The cost will be of US$ 100 per person.

National Circuit: Naranjo and Torres win the first and second events
The press release of the first circuit date read: “In the most awaited final of the week, formed by surfers Jason Torres, Olman Morales, Federico Pilurzu and Diego Naranjo, the 2006 national champion repeated his win at the Mango Cup in Hermosa Beach after winning the heat in the last minutes and was the first winner of the 2008-2009 season”.

Winners
Open
Diego Naranjo

Junior
Carlos Muñoz

Ladiess
Lisbeth Vindas

Junior Ladies
Lupe Galluccio

Mini Grommet Ladies
Leilani McGonagle

Boys Under 16
Carlos Muñoz

Boys Under 14
Manuel Mesen

The second competition took place in the renowned Jacó Beach, the waves of which did not go above 2 feet. A press release issued on the final day made the following comments: “In a final with a good production of waves in front of the contest site of the Bahia Encantada Hotel in Jacó Beach, the local Jason Torres won the Coca-Cola Zero Tournament by winning over the other local residents Gilbert Brown, Germaine Myrie and Anthony Flores, who ran his first Open final”.
By winning the second event, Jason Torres is now at the top of the Costa Rican ranking. Nataly Bernold won the Ladies’ title and Carlos Muñoz continued with his winning spell by capturing the juniors’ title, with a 100% performance.

Results were as follows:

Open
Jason Torres
Germaine Myrie
Gilbert Brown
Anthony Flores

Junior
Carlos Muñoz
Mykol Torres
Anderson Tascon
Anthony Segura

Ladies
Nataly Bernold
Lisbeth Vindas
Mariana Samudio
Lupe Gallucio
Junior Ladies
Nataly Bernold
Avalon Esterak
Lupe Galluccio
Leilani McGonagle

Boys (sub 16)
Carlos Muñoz
Josué Calderón
Anthony Segura
Manuel Mesen

Grommets (Sub 14)
Noe Mar McGonnagle
Manuel Mesén
Leonardo Calvo
Josué Rodríguez

Mini-Grommets (Sub 12)
Bruno Carvalho
Carlos Brown
Leonardo Calvo
Gabriel Muñoz

Mini-Grommets Ladies
Arisha Grioti
Leilani McGonagle
Avalon Esterak
Cloe Velarde

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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