Ecuador prepares for the Pan American Surfing Games
Source: Ecuatorian Surfing Federation

Last September 19th, in the context of the 5th Annual Work Reunion of the Board of Directors of the Ecuatorian Surfing Federation, an event was carried out in the Salón Azul of the Ecuatorian Olympic committee and enhanced with the presence of the country`s Surfing Club Presidents.  The event was held to form the Ecuatorian Surf Team that would represent the country in the 8th Pan American Surfing Games, that will unfold from November 4th -11th in Iquique, Chile. 
 
According to the established minutes of previous work, the only criteria considered for the formation of the team is the National Ranking.

The great unknown of the meeting and to make the team, was Carlos Goncálves, who’s in 5th place in the ranking due to his recent victory in the 4th National stop of “El Pelado”.  Thanks to Diego Vargas` great act of sportsmanship, that was applauded by the entire national surf management staff, Goncálves is now slated to compete in the OPEN.

Diego Vargas, professional athlete for the O’Neill team and a great international promise for Ecuador, was ranked second in the OPEN and first in the SUB-18.  He had a right to compete in both categories, and also the freedom to choose which one he would participate in.  However, in taking into account the interests of the Ecuador Team, and after he deliberated with his father for a few minutes in private, Vargas stood up and declared:  “I feel very ready to compete in both categories, but my heats could cross and conflict and this would affect the interests of the team.  My second option would be to compete only in the Open.  But this would prevent Goncálves from competing and would leave a hole in Sub-18.  For these reasons, I am setting aside my personal interests and putting the interests of the National Team ahead of my own.  I have decided to compete exclusively in Sub-18 and concentrate all my energy on it”.

Upon hearing this, the entire audience applauded him and Manolo Lozano, the President of the FES –Ecuador Surfing Federation-, thanked him and congratulated him on his decision.  “This is the attitude of a true, great athlete who can demonstrate his talent both in the water and outside of it.”

In turn, Carlos Goncálves is 5th place in the National Ranking, and thanks to his strong international results he remains a part of the selection.  The fifth spot is shared with Israel Barona, who is selected to compete in Sub-18. 

On another note, in the Women’s category, Renata Péndola will take a trip to Australia.  Thus, the women’s team will consist of María Beatriz Aguirre and Dominic Barona

The Nacional Surfing Team is comprised as follows:

OPEN:
Xavier Fey
Sebastián Santos
Iván Malavé
Carlos Goncálves.

JUNIOR
Diego Vargas
Israel Barona
David Villarroel
Franco Vargas.

LONGBOARD:
Oswaldo Borbor
Danny Flores

WOMEN’S
María Beatriz Aguirre
Dominic Barona

BODYBOARD:
The National Commission of Bodyboard reports next.

This is a true "dream team" for Ecuador, and good results are expected.  René Burgos will be responsible for training the team in Manabí and Manuel Lozano will coach the athletes in Guayas. 

In terms of the expenses to participate, the FES hopes to be able to finance the majority of the team expenses, taking care of not only the expenses to travel to Chile but also the lodging and mobility in Iquique.  They hope to do so in order to maintain the correct team logistics and encourage the athletes to concentrate on the sport.

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