Panama ISA World Masters Surfing Championship
Santa Catalina, Panama
27 August – 5 September, 2010 

With the Panama ISA World Masters Surfing Championship getting closer, the local federation announced the names that will defend the host country colors in the world´s largest surfing event for over 35 year-old surfers to be held at the perfect waves of Santa Catalina from August 27 until September 5.

It is the first time in history that Panama holds an ISA World Championship, and it seems that not only the local federation and organizers are busy with the event, but so are the best Panamanian Masters surfers.  They trained hard to make it onto the team, and now are getting ready to defend their home field against over 100 of the best surfers from all over the world.

Patrick Castagnet, several times Open Men National Champion, member of Team Panama and also one of the event organizers, spoke to the ISA about the contest. “I´m really proud that we´re hosting this great championship,” he said. “I´m also anxious, looking forward to having good waves and weather so we can show the world that Panama has what it takes to be an awesome surfing destination.”

The local team was selected after a trial competition held in Santa Catalina. “We had a successful gathering of generations where it had been a long time without seeing each other in the water. It was a dream contest that lasted two days with perfect waves and camaraderie,” added Castagnet.

Upon completion of the event, the team was defined.

Panama National Masters Surfing Team:
Masters (over 35)

John Hannan

Ricardo Alfaro

Grand Masters (over 40)

Sergio Pinzón

Javier Elizondo/Ricardo Chiari  

Kahunas (over 45)

Kenneth Mayer

Juan Jiménez

Grand Kahuna (over 50)

Kenneth Mayer

Womens Master (over 35)

Sonia “Pucha” Garcia

It is the first time that Panama competes in the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship. The event started in 2007 in Puerto Rico, followed in 2008 in Peru and will have its third edition in the perfect waves of Panama.

At 56, Kenneth Mayer is one of Santa Catalina´s pioneers, he´s been called as the “secret weapon” of the team. Also, Latin American Pro Tour competitor and ten times National Champion, Sonia García, is another highlight of the local squad.

The Panama ISA World Masters Surfing Championship is made possible due to: Panamanian Tourism Department, Corona, Súper Deportes, surfosmagazine.com and surfeapanama.com.