Press release issued on February 10, 2010

On February 6th and 7th, 2010, the experienced competitors, Leo Alcantara and Pascual Silverio, won "The Bride of the Atlantic Surf Festival 2010" at the Puntilla beach in Puerto Plata, in front of Fort San Felipe along with a posthumous tribute to the birth of the musical artist, Eduardo Brito.

The event was organized by the Federación Dominicana de Surf (FEDOSURF), chaired by Nestor Puente and for the first time, the annual competition was scored using computer software used by national judges.

Leo Alcantara of Santo Domingo, was motivated on both days of the competition, drawing waves and trusting in God. With eight waves total, his deft maneuvers earned high scores of 7.33 and 6.30, for a total of 13.63 points. He dedicated his First Place win to his girlfriend Sandra.

Pascual Silverio, winner of the Open Bodyboard division, obtained impressive scores of 8.67 and 6.23 for a total 14.90 points. His turns and maneuvers were swift and intelligent.

The remaining winners of the Open Surf Category were Eduardo (Papito) Santanta of Cabarete and La Puntilla locals, Amin (Jochy) Bueno and Mario Gomez.

Ranking second to fourth place in the Open Body Board division: Jul Frien Sims of Puerto Plata, Jose Manuel Henriquez and Angel Mejia from The Charamicos.

The award ceremony was conducted by Nestor Puente, FEDOSURF president and his wife Milda, together with Daniel Antonio Francisco, president of the Association of Surfing in Puerto Plata, as well as judges of the competition, including FEDOSURF North Coast President, Jesmarin Puente.

The new computerized judging system was run by the ISA Certified judges of Ecuador, Byron, Cyrilo and Louis Yaguar, and supported by Dominicans Jesmarin Puente, Ramses Mejia, Raul Van Eiken, Luis Coll, Isaac Gil, Luis Taveras, and Manuel Pineiro, with Beach Marshall Nelson Nivar.

The event was sponsored by the Association of Hotels of Playa Dorada and Puerto Plata Tourist Company, represented by Mr. Manuel Finke and Maximo Iglesias, respectively. 

Additional support was provided by Hotel Celuisma and Riu Bachata, Hidelisa Home Center, Shipping Pacheco, Equip Gourmet, Nelson House, Frank Salvador, Councilman for the LDP, Walter Musa, trustee of the PLD, Senator Francis Vargas, Miguel Taveras Customs Agency, Constructors Kuky Silvario Industrial Santini Customs Agency and Don Pollo. 

Standing contributions were made by the Ministry of Sports (SEDEFIR), the Dominican Olympic Committee, Surfphotos, International Surfing Association and Pan-American Surfing Association. 

The viewers in the contest area around the pier enjoyed extraordinary performances by the surfers on the Atlantic waves, lively surf music, break dancing and a skateboarding exhibition. DJ Luba and the musical groups Soul Libre and Frogs performed live.

On February 1st, 2010, the annual “Olympic Dinner” took place in Jaragua Hotel, Santo Domingo, in which the Dominican Olympic Committee celebrates and awards the “Athletes of the Year” in the sports recognized by that institution.

During the dinner, the athletes that excelled in 2009 for their performances, discipline and merits, among other qualities, were honored as male and female athletes of the year by the different sports federations.

That was the case of the Rio San Juan-born surfer, Junior Gomez, who has maintained a long history in surfing as one of the athletes that has collected more awards and accumulated more records in the Dominican Republic.  He was part of the National Team for multiple consecutive years, he represented his country in international surfing competitions and he has collaborated with FEDOSURF in the development of surfing in his province.

The Dominical Olympic Committee also chose volleyball player Brenda Castillo as the best of 2009 for her excellent results in international championships. 

It should also be noted that FEDOSURF will send two National Team members: Rio San Juan surfer Junior Gomez and Nagua bodyboarder Edwin Then, to a Caribbean championship in Cuba organized by the Pan American Surfing Association.  These athletes will travel to the neighboring island on February 4th, and will compete against surfers from Jamaica, Barbados, Cuba, Guadeloupe and other islanders.