Costa Rica surfs a name for itself

Leilani McGonagle punches it out at Rip Curl GromSearch International finals

 McGonagle (5th from right) enjoys day off with the world's best juniors Photo courtesy: Rip Curl

The 2015 GromSearch champion, Leilani McGonagle of Pavonses returned to that tournament on May 3 trying to defend her title. Staged at Ala Moana Bowls on Oahu, Hawaii and she didn’t retain the title, but she did fight her way to a 2^nd place showing this year in a competition against the best juniors in the world. McGonagle gave the winner, Hawaii’s Brisa Hennessy a run for her money in a spectacular final in the clean, waist high waves.

Hennessy, herself a Rip Curl GromSearch champion albeit for 2014, opened up first with a set wave that carried left to the inside for a 7.83 score. Although Leilani managed a 5.00 and a 5.73, she couldn’t take the lead. Said Brisa: “The final was kind of tricky, but I look up to Leilani a bunch and we are such good friends, so I am just happy.”

The full group of competitors were:

Australia: Liam O'Brien & Sophia Fulton
Brazil: Anderson Junior & Luara Thompson
Costa Rica: Leilani McGonagle
Europe: Mathis Crozon & Juliette Brice
Hawaii: Wyatt McHale, Brisa Hennessy, & Summer Macedo
Indonesia: Rio Waida & Cinta Hansel
New Zealand: Kehu Butler & Raiha Ensor
South Africa: Koby Oberholzer
USA: Nolan Rapoza

Nolan Rapoza of the United States won the male division.

WQS dates prove challenging for Costa Rican guys

At the Martinique Surf Pro at Basse Point April 17-24, the dynamics of the other participating Qualifying Series competitors and a 3-day holding period due to lack of waves may have contributed to a disappointing showing for the Tico competitors Federico Pilurzu, Tomas King and Noe Mar McGonagle.  Yet, being from Costa Rica, each of them raised on Pura Vida believed that the experience was worth it.

Pilurzu had high hopes, but never passed Round 1. Current, Circuito Guanacaste de Surf #1-ranked Open surfer Tomas King did his friend from Tamarindo just one better, with an exit in Round 2. While Noe Mar McGonagle (Pavones) had the bad luck of hurting his foot before his unsuccessful seeded heat in Round 4.

“It was a super fun trip even though I hurt my foot the morning before my heat,” McGonagle reported. “Stretched ligaments in the middle of my two toes. Tried my hardest to surf my heat, but it was super painful.”

McGonagle was treated by the doctor and rest for a bit before getting back into the water.

Meanwhile, Pilurzu head to Praia do Forte Pro in Brazil on April 26, where he did improve, passing two rounds before faltering.  He explained: “I’m not sure what’s up. The level is really high. I definitely need to get back on a roll. They are a big jump (from the national contests at home) with very little margin of error. But I’m enjoying them, and prepping for my next one around August.”

Gussoni, Fillingim ranked #1 on the national circuit

At home, at the previous date of the Circuito Nacional de Surf Kolbi, presented by Adrenaline Rush, both Emily Gussoni (Jaco) and Anthony Fillingim (Malpais) locked in their second 1^st place wins this season. With this latest accomplishment at the PAPIOLAS Surfing Challenge II in Bejuco, these two surfers are firmly placed on top of the rankings, and poised to take the championships this year.  Of course, they need to finish up the year, and anything could still happen with Nosara, Santa Teresa and the Gran Finals in Hermosa still to come.

Gussoni's training pays off in Bejuco  Photo by: Alfredo Barquero

As to Emily, she’s come out ahead of the pack this year, besting really good female surfers like the 12-time Women’s champ Lisbeth Vindes, 2016 breakout from Tamarindo Zulay Martinez, and even another former national titleholder, Puerto Viejo’s Nataly Bernold. For the COPA Beach Club in Guiones/Nosara, Gussoni continues to stress that her training program is the key to returning to the top spot on the podium.

“I have been training in Guanacaste,” she told me. “I hope the waves will be really good. I’m surfing every day, twice a day.  I’m going to the gym, I have a good diet, I don’t drink, don’t smoke, no parties. I think I’m a good athlete. I deserve to be on the podium. I think I’m doing it the right way, not only for the nationals, but also the championship, Junior Pro, and others. I love surfing!”

Anthony’s win in Bejuco was simple, but not easy. In a final along with Carlos Muñoz (Esterillos), Angelo Bonomelli (Puerto Viejo) and Durby Castillo (Jaco), he maneuvered a backside air worth 9.83 points. This shut Muñoz out of his 1^st place spot and moved him down to 2^nd, Bonomelli to 3^rd, and Castillo to 4^th.

Fillingim air for the win Photo by: Alfredo Barquero

“The waves were very good for both two days, and in the final heat to the death with Carlos Muñoz, I managed to remove him from 1^st, after I made that air that I have been practicing a lot. In truth, I’m very happy to win again,” Fillingim said.

Results of PAPIOLAS Surfing Challenge II:

Open

1.       Anthony Fillingim

2.       Carlos Muňoz

3.       Angelo Bonomelli

4.       Durbin Castillo

Women’s

1.       Emily Gussoni

2.       Nataly Bernold

3.       Leilani McGonagle

4.       Zulay Martinez

Juniors

1.       José Joaquín López

2.       André Chacón

3.       Aldo Chirinos

4.       Malakai Martinez

Boys

1.       Malakai Martinez

2.       Oscar Urbina

3.       Aldo Chirinos

4.       Juan Fisher

Girls

1.       Serena Nava

2.       Valentina Resano

3.       Camila Summers

4.       Emily Anderson

Grommets

1.       Dean Vandewalle

2.       Samuel Reidy

3.       Neo Escaler

4.       Darshan Antequera

Minigrommets

1.       Kai Gale

2.       Kalani Abrahao

3.       Axel Castro

4.       Zac Barger

Minigrommets Girls

1.       Valentina Resano

2.       Candelaria Resano

3.       Auxelia Ryan

4.       Maxima Resano

Josh Kerr tweets about Ollie’s Point surf trip

Kerr paddles out at Ollie's Point on May 1

Those of us who live in Costa Rica, know that we have some special waves. It’s always nice when professionals sign off on that idea by visiting us and surfing our best conditions. Earlier this month, WCT pros Josh Kerr from Australia and Damien Hobgood  from Florida were lucky enough to get some great sessions including one epic day at Ollie’s Point. Here’s what Kerr had to saw on Twitter:

josh_kerr84 Costa Rica trip was mental! This session was epic just @damienhobgood and I trading waves! It's refreshing to know that there are still waves of this quality out there that you surf without anyone around! Thanks @thejstsurfexperience again for the epic trip!

PHOTO

josh_kerr84Pura Vida! Love paddling back out and mind surfing the empty ones coming in! (More wishing I was on them) 🤔 @thejstsurfexperience

Costa Rica, has been amazing with my family @kerrfamily4 & friends! Thanks thejstsurfexperience…

Masters, SUP, Longborad national contests underway

With the midway point of the Circuito Masters & SUP & Longboard completed at Playa Guiones/Nosara, and only the Gran Finals left to go, it looks like the current champions of the elder surfer group will get to keep their crowns. Last month, in Guiones, Alvaro Solano once again won the Masters division. And as an indication of the dearth of veteran surfing woman, current Women’s champion, and this year’s leader, Andrea Diaz was unable to compete because no other qualified females showed up to the contest.

Competitors in the various Masters, SUP and Longboard categories totaled 50, yet, this is only the 3^rd year this tournament has been run.  

Solano’s final heat included Gustavo Castillo of Jaco, Adolfo Gomez of Samara and Ian Bean of Playa Grande, yet none of these experienced surfers could usurp him. Keep in mind, that his title is not assured for this year, given the fact that he missed the first date in Santa Teresa. Yet, it looks promising for Solano.

Bean was able, however, to win Grand Masters, which includes surfers from 40-45 years of age, and the accomplishment was even greater given the fact that this was his first participation in this tournament.

Erick Antonson, who clinched his second win in a row as a SUP surfer catching waves, is assured the national championship at the end of the Circuito in June.

Also, locked in as champion once again is Craig “Tequila” Schieber who just cannot find suitable challengers in his contests, both Kahuna (45-50) and Grand Kahuna (50 and up). He keeps winning 1st place each date.

The next and final date of the Circuito Masters & SUP & Longboard will take place in Playa Hermosa near Jaco on Saturday, June 11, out front of the hotel Tramonto.

Results for the Playa Guiones date of the Circuito Masters & SUP & Longboard:

Masters
1. Alvaro Solano
2. Ian Bean
3. Adolfo Gomez
4. Gustavo Castillo

Grand Masters
1. Ian Bean
2. Erly Farrier
3. Eduardo Rojas
4. Christian Salazar

Kahuna
1. Craig “Tequila” Schieber
2. Ian Bean

Grand Kahuna
1. Craig “Tequila” Schieber
2. Roberto Miranda Quesada

SUP Surfing
1. Erik Antonson
2. Alvaro Solano
3. Dennis Picado Solano
4. Marcel M. Oliveira

Longboard
1. Dorian Torres
2. Marcel Oliveira
3. Alex Gomez Choco’s Surf School
4. Adolfo Gomez

SUP Race
1. Geovanny Espinoza
2. Rolando Herrera Siles
3. José Luis
4. Daniel Suarez Vitola

SUP Race Female
1. Daniela Wooster
2. Valeria Salustri
3. Sele Cubero Guardiola
4. Zenaida Chavez

Young Dean Vandewalle is one to watch

On any given day, if you look out in any of the Guanacaste area lineups, you’ll see this little, cotton-white hair boy wearing glasses and surfing like a monster twice his stature. At first, you wonder, “how do those glasses stay on as he zips and slides, pops airs and tucks into the barrel?” Once, I heard the announcer at the ISA Junior World Surfing Games ask that same question.

No matter, how they do, it’s a good thing because Dean Vandewalle, all of 14, is current #1 ranked in the Boys category on the Circuito Guanacaste de Surf which completes this weekend in Playa Negra. In addition, over on the Circuito Nacional de Surf, the kid is holding down 3 impressive spots on the rankings: #1 Grommets, #2 Boys, and #3 Juniors. He actually won the national Groms title previously.

Deano gets barreled 

But this year, it’s hard to ignore someone new who has a big future, including one on the professional circuit, where he hopes to be one day soon.

A quick chat with Dean shows why he’s winning. “This year, I’ve worked hard to maintain a positive attitude and to go big in contests.”

What else?

“I do believe that style is a big factor in surfing. I feel that style is not something that you can work on too much, but something that comes naturally. It's hard to describe my own personal surfing style. I try to always stay low and keep my arms pretty close to my body. I like both power surfing and airs, but airs are a little bit more exciting and rewarding in both contests and filming. It's fun to experiment in the air and see how high I can go. I think it is also very important to be an all-around surfer, so having a strong power game is crucial.”

Watch out, this is a lot of knowledge for such a young kid with a surfboard.

Costa Rica attracts national spotlight

Country gets first WSL professional QS 

World Surf League QS will reward 3,000 points to the winner

Followers of surfing are well aware of the two international organizations that promote the sport. The International Surf Association (ISA) organizes team competitions for amateurs who get to participate because of their local federation contest results in individual countries. The World Surf League (WSL) is for professionals—the best in the world—and the organization not only produces contests but supports and manages their athletes.

And this month, both the WSL and the ISA announced big news for Costa Rica.

For the first time since the Association of Surf Professionals (ASP) morphed into the larger WSL, Costa Rica will host a Qualifying Series contest.  These qualifying rounds of the prestigious championship tour will take place October 5 to 9 in Esterillos, which is a perfect location because of its vast open beach and proximity to necessary infrastructure. The Costa Rica Pro: A WSL QS3000 Event, featuring men and women’s competition, will be produced by Orange Wave Productions, co-founded by national champions and international surf ambassadors Diego Naranjo and Lisbeth Vindas. Another founder is Walter Brenes, a well-respected Tico environmental lawyer.

During the 5 days of the event, an estimated 46,000 spectators will watch 7 to 10 hours a day of  the best surfers in the world, visit sponsorship tents, listen to concerts and more. Organizers have estimated that the Costa Rica Pro will bring $11 million into the country’s coffers.

Breaking it down further: This event will reward 3,000 points to the winner, adding to their ranking on the QS chart. The Top 10 surfers in the WSL ranking at the end of the year will roll over, and “qualify” to compete on the WSL Championship Tour (CT).  So, you see, the QS is a big deal for Ticos, who have never had a representative on the CT.

Costa Ricans already on the QS include Noe Mar McGonagle (Pavones), Carlos Muñoz (Esterillos homeboy), Jason Torres (Jaco), Tomas King (Tamarindo) and Federico Pilurzu (Tamarindo). Of course, we can expect these guys, as well as the QS ladies Emily Gussoni (Jaco) and Leilani McGonagle (Pavones) to paddle out in Esterillos.  "I really want to make it to the CT," Munoz said after participating in an Australian QS. "I've been aiming to make it for almost four years now so this year I'm feeling really good and more knowledgeable than ever."

Last year, Carlos finished #34, while Noe Mar ended at #41.  Pretty amazing to have had two Costa Ricans in the Top 50 of the 2015 QS rankings.

One of the nicest aspects of the upcoming Costa Rica Pro: A WSL QS3000 Event is that there will be trial heats where locals can vie for spots in the main Rounds. What a great opportunity for the pros to see just how good are more of the local talent, those who are only restricted from the other QS dates due to lack of financial support.

Costa Rica’s current #1 ranked surfer on the Circuito Nacional de Surf kolbi is Anthony Fillingim. He is planning to be one of those surfers to participate in trial heats of the Costa Rica Pro. Beforehand, his itinerary will include a handful of international QS dates including the Van’s Pro, which takes place August 22-28 in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and maybe another in the States or Europe. “I am competing in (the Costa Rica Pro: A WSL QS3000 Event) because I want to represent the Malpais and Santa Teresa area and I also want to get a good result for the points and ranking.”

World Surfing Championship returns to Costa Rica

Meanwhile, the ISA has cut a deal with the Federacion de Surf de Costa Rica to bring the World Surfing Championships back to this country. On August 7 to 14, Costa Rica will hit the water in Jaco to defend its world title, won last year at the championships in Nicaragua.

"This is a proud day for ISA and I hope for the people of Costa Rica, for the government, the private sector and the Federation of Surf. This is the culmination of a process of work of all involved. Costa Rica is home to defend the title they won last year and this is a great moment for the sport, “said Fernando Aguerre, ISA President, via a video at a press conference this month in San Jose.

As I write, the Federacion de Surf de Costa Rica is working on preparations to welcome 30 or more country teams. This event is supported by the Ministry of Sport, the Costa Rican Institute of Sport and Recreation (ICODER), the Municipality of Garabito and the production company RPMTV.  You may remember the last time the championships took place in Costa Rica; that was July 2009 in Playa Hermosa, and over 100,000 people watched 300 athletes from five continents.  Estimates of $2 million were brought into the Tico economy for that one.

Hosting both the Costa Rica Pro: A WSL QS3000 Event and the ISA World Surfing Championship will be more steps toward the country’s validation as one of the best surfing spots in the world. Already, ICT (Costa Rica Tourism Bureau) estimates that 20% of the tourists who come to Costa Rica, are here for the surf.

Muñoz nominated for Pipeline bomb ride

Last February, Carlos Muñoz head into a Backdoor barrel in Hawaii and after a full eight seconds inside, flew out. Not only was he stoked, but so were the crowd on the beach, who cheered from every house from Off-the-Wall to Ehukai Beach Park. Now that wave, which you can see here http://www.surfline.com/wave-of-the-winter/2015-2016/?page=entries&surfer=Carlos%20Munoz,  joins nine other entries including those from Jamie O’Brien and Mikey O’Shaughnessy in the O’Neill Wave of the Winter contest.

The event celebrates the accomplishments of surfers, 19 and younger, who standout with performances on the North Shore in the time period of November through February. The breakthrough performance winner receives $5,000, while the Overall Performance winner will receive $10,000 for their skill and community activities (another $10,000 will be donated in their name to a non-profit of the winner’s choice).

Muñoz will be judged by Gerry Lopez, Pancho Sullivan, Ross Williams and Shawn Briley.

Bonomelli, Vindas come out in top in Limon 

For the second time in his career, Angelo Bonomelli, the Puerto Viejo native, won a date on the Circuito Nacional kolbi presented by Adrenaline Rush. Last month, in front of about 2,000 people in Playa Cieneguita near Limon, the Italian-Tico won the first-ever date at this beach called the PAPIOLAS Surfing Challenge. The win pushed him up to #2 in the year’s overall Open rankings.

To win a second championship date is always good, but this kid did so by scoring a perfect 10 on a massive air in the finals that definitely challenged him because it included Anthony Fillingim (currently ranked #1 in the Circuito), and the Jefferson brothers Anderson and Tacson.

“I was really surprised by the waves Cieneguita gave us today, which were unbelievable,” Bonomelli said. “I had never gotten a 10 in a final and that makes me very happy because the final was really tough.”

After getting a wakeup call on her home break in the Circuito’s Jaco date when Tamarindo’s Zulay Martinez won the Women’s category there, national Women’s champion Lisbeth Vindas  was able to step up to her familiar 1^st place podium spot at the PAPIOLAS Surfing Challenge.

“I was proud of Zuley because she selected the best waves, and was surfing good, made good maneuvers and was connecting with the ocean. I’m happy to see her improvement and that she was more aggressive,” Vindas said of the Jaco contest. “This year for me I’m more relaxed, just enjoying my heats. I’m not worrying too much about winning, even helping the other girls if I can.  The little girls are surfing pretty good. Now we are up to the point where everybody is doing good, selecting good, and practicing good wave strategy. I’m just relaxing and enjoying myself, if I win I win.”

And she did in Limon.

Part of the reason that Lisbeth is less stressed in the water is the fact that she is spending a lot of time focused on other things in her life. She’s a mom to Yulian, working on the Costa Rica QS, and has been doing a lot of promotional work for her sponsors. In addition, she has filmed a bunch of television commercials including those for Tico businesses Banco Nacional, Aerocasilles and another upcoming advertisement for AM PM stores.

12-times national women's champ back on top in Limon

The next date of the Circuito Nacional kolbi presented by Adrenaline Rush moves to Playa Bejuco on April 16 and 17.

Results of the PAPIOLAS Surfing Challenge:

Open

1. Angelo Bonomelli (Puerto Viejo)

2. Anthony Fillingim (Santa Teresa)

3. Anderson Tascón (Herradura)

4. Jefferson Tascón (Herradura)

Women’s

1. Lisbeth Vindas (Jaco)

2. Coral Wiggins (Avellanas)

3. Emily Gussoni (Jaco)

4. Lady Meek (Dominical)

Junior

1. José Joaquín López (Jaco)

2. Dennis Picado (Jaco)

3. Oscar Urbina (Puerto Viejo)

4. Lorenzo Cordoba (Puerto Viejo)

Junior Women’s

1. Emily Gussoni (Jaco)

2. Candelaria Resano (Nicaragua)

3. Paulina Summers (Puerto Viejo)

4. Zulay Martínez (Tamarindo)

Boys

1. Oscar Urbina (Puerto Viejo)

2. Dean Vandewalle (Tamarindo)

3. Axel Castro (Cieneguita)

4. Cedrik McCrakin (Puerto Viejo)

Girls

1. Coral Wiggins (Avellanas)

2. Paulina Summers (Puerto Viejo)

3. Valentina Resano (Nicaragua)

4. Zulay Martínez (Tamarindo)

Grommet 

1. Dean Vandewalle (Tamarindo)

2. Samuel Reidy (Dominical)

3. Kenneth Peralta (Jaco)

4. Isauro Elizondo (Panamá)

Minigrommet

1. Axel Castro (Cieneguita)

2. Kalani Abrahao (Tamarindo)

3. Ethan Hollander (Dominical)

4. Ziggy Myrie (Jaco)

5. Zac Barger

Minigrommet Girls

1. Auxiela Ryan (Puerto Viejo)

2. Danielle Guzmán (Jaco)

3. Keislin Pereira (Cieneguita)

4. Valentina Resano (Nicaragua)

Circuito Guanacaste heads into the Final Stretch with King on top

It looks like there’s no stopping Tomas King’s run to become the champion of the Circuito de Guanacaste Surf presented by Otis Eyewear and Freestyle Watches. With ANOTHER 1^st place win, this time a few weeks ago in Avellanas’ COPA Lola’s, King now has a podium visit in each of the four dates this season, 2 at the top spot and a 2^nd and 3^rd place as well. He has 3,545 points, nearly 1,000 more than the omnipresent, Angelo Bonomelli.  Each competitor will add up their 4 best dates, discarding the least impressive score.

“I’m thrilled with my performance on this championship and even more for the good quality of waves that I’ve faced. Now, I’m super focused on the finals next month,” said King.

The finals for the Circuito de Guanacaste Surf will be COPA Hotel Playa Negra May 14 and 15.

Results for COPA Lolas:

 Open
1. Tomas King
2. Anthony Filligam
3. Jason Torres
4. Ramon Tailani

Open Women
1. Valentina Resano
2. Serena Nava
3. Calendaria Resano
4. Emily Gussoni

Masters
1. Trey Brownell
2. Alex Gomez
3. Jeff Allen
4. Fabian Sanchez

Juniors
1. Tiago Carrique
2. Sean Foerster
3. Malakai Martinez
4. Jose Lopez

Boys
1. Tiago Carrique
2. Aldo Chirinos
3. Dean Vandewalle
4. Francisco Coronado

Girls
1. Valentina Resano
2. Serena Nava
3. Zulay Martinez
4. Calendaria Resano

Mixed Groms
1. Kalani Abrahao
2. Axel Castro
3. Candelaria Resano
4. Valentina Resano

Longboard
1. Alex Gomez
2. Dorian Torres
3. Victor Stclair
4. Omar Cruz

Stars visit Costa Rica for its surf 

In the past month, we’ve had a few famous faces hitting the waves here in Costa Rica.  

Out in Avellanas, photographer Jorgelina Agramunt of Avellanas Surf Photos got a nice surprise while her lens scanned the horizon. There was Kassia Meador, champion pro longboarder and the gal the New York Times called the “queen of noseriding.”

Reported Agramunt: “I could spot her, she stood out in the lineup. I can say she was surfing with a smile on her face the whole time, and she was really approachable and nice. I talked to her at the end of her session. She had a videographer with her. She just mentioned that she loved the time she spent here and that she was going to be back.”

In Malpais, model Gisele Bundchen and her football hero hubby Tom Brady surfed the waves out front of their Costa Rica home. The couple are no stranger to our country, as they exchanged vows here years ago on the beach near Florblanca Hotel.  Check out their moves.

Gisele Bundchen not just a supermodel

Costa Rica Surfing Legends Come at All Ages

Marco Pacheco with three of his babies--the fins!

Surf Legend goes creative with new fins

If you saw the 1994 film, “Endless Summer II”—no doubt most of you have--then you will remember Marco Pacheco, the Costa Rican who acted as surf host for Pat O’Connell and Robert “Wingnut” Weaver, as they follow Robert August around Tamarindo and surrounding areas for some amazing sessions.

It made perfect sense that August would choose Pacheco to join them, since the Tico was one of a group of men who pioneered surfing in this country. From 1987 to 1993, he even wrote The Surf Report for Surfer magazine, recording how it looked out there on Costa Rica’s dual coasts, and making a prognosis for the upcoming month.

Now, Pacheco, who has been shaping boards for almost 20 years, has created what he believes is a revolutionary surfboard fin. The fin, which looks like an egg laid on its side, is handmade, cut from fiberglass and individually shaped. “It comes with saying ‘yes’ to new things,” Pacheco explained.

The idea first germinated back in 2004, when Pacheco became enamored with the FCSII fin, which was helping him tremendously with his rides. The thought occurred to him: “What if the curve was removed?”

“My idea was to make a fin with which water would go around easier,” Pacheco said.  “So I straightened the rake to a 45° angle and got rid of the heel. That shortened the distance of the fin in the front. There’s 30% less surface to it.”

According to Pacheco, the result has some advantages to the more traditional fins we are used to mounting on boards.  “With the reduced area at the base, the area moved towards the back and deep end of the fin giving it more torque out of turns,” he said. 

You may be wondering what qualifies Pacheco to create this new fin. Experience. For one thing, he has always made his surfboards with glassed-in fins, from the day in 1997 when he first made one for himself. Glassed in fins, he explained, only add the most basic elements to your board—just fiberglass and foam, no deadweight like a box.

“A surfboard is like a musical instrument to a surfer. It needs to be simple simple simple.”

Always “oceanminded” his whole life, Pacheco’s dad was an agricultural engineer, so before he was 6 years old, the kid was out in the countryside and often in the water, mostly fishing. When a visiting surfer gave him a Styrofoam surfboard, he had already moved to the city, but with friends now surfing, they started taking him to the ocean in 1978 and joined a bunch of Vietnam escapees riding the waves.  Later, as a Physical Education teacher in San Jose, he’d work during the week, then take the bus to Boca Barranca on the weekends. “It worked for me because of the discipline,” he said.

From the start, Pacheco studied the motions of surfing. He said it was helpful that he was scared in the presence of the ocean, noting that “it was unnatural to lay on a board and paddle out and get pummeled. Time passes and if you are persistent you start understanding concepts and expand and try different boards.”

"I’m still working it out because each board is different,” he added about his work with shaping and making fins. “I have to let my instincts take off.”

So far, Marco’s fins have been getting good feedback, even if his clients are reluctant to try them a first.  One pro bono kid in Puntarenas was very skeptical, and told him he preferred traditional fins. Yet, after two weeks, he wrote Pacheco to say “This board rocks, it’s so fast and I got it down.”

Pacheco, who today himself rotates between a short board, longboard and a SUP, still feels like he is learning about his sport. He is a philosopher when it comes to surfing, and this ethereal attitude draws in a lot of clients, both sponsored competitors and paying free riders.

“Surfing is three things: observation, position, execution, three corners of the triangle,” concluded Pacheco. “But the most important thing is that you need to learn paddling because if you can’t catch the wave then there’s nothing.

 From Costa Rica to Hawaii and Around the World

Mention Pavones, and you might think of the McGonagle Dynasty (champions Leilani and Noe Mar). However, another surfer from that famous left is making news and he’s been around for quite a while now. Meet Leon Glatzer, who is already a two-time German champion for 2014 when he won the Open and Junior contests over there. As a young kid, he grew up in Germany, but when his mom moved to Pavones  (“the best left in the world” ) and married a Tico, he adopted Costa Rica as his second home and participated in the Circuito Nacional de Surf.  After turning up in the quarterfinals last year at the Lanzarote Teguise 2015 Franito Pro Junior in the Canary Islands, he realized that the time had come to compete on the World Surf League circuit.

Now, he’s about to embark on his first Qualifying Series (QS), and although he’ll be surfing for his homeland of Germany, Glatzer has Costa Rica in his heart, and will join Carlos Muňoz (Esterillos), Noe Mar McGonagle and Tomas King (Tamarindo) at various dates of international competition. Glatzer will focus on European dates of the QS.

Prior to his contest later this month at the Pro Zarautz, Spain, Volcom sent him to the North Shore of Hawaii: “I accomplished getting A+ photos and coverage which is really hard to do in Pipeline.”

Indeed.

More wins for national champion Jason Torres

The good news continues for the current Costa Rica national surf champion Jason Torres of Jaco.  First, he claimed his first win at his hometown in eight years on the second date of the Circuito National de Surf kölbi, presented by Adrenaline Rush.  At the Copa Arenas-Marley, in the final he was challenged not only by a lot of closed out waves, but by the aforementioned Glatzer, newcomer Durbi Castle, and the winner of the first date in Cocles, Anthony Fillingim of Malpais.

Torres’ win came despite his still recovering from an injury sustained last year, one that doesn’t seem to be hampering his visits to the winners’ podiums. From Jaco, he flew to Domes Beach in Rincon, Puerto Rico to participate for the second year in a row at the Corona Extra Pro Surfing Circuit O’Neill.  While this contest is not a QS event, it is important to Torres as it afforded him the opportunity to compete with other international surfers for an impressive 3^rd place finish.

“I’ve had nice days in this beautiful country of Puerto Rico. Super happy with the 3^rd place even though I missed one wave to move up in the Open, and I had the highest wave of the heat and still lost, so that’s always hard. But I’m going to Florida (Ron Jon’s Van Pro, the QS in Cocoa Beach) with this same motivation and am eager to also make a good showing. This year my goal is to be close to the top 50 in the QS. I know it is difficult but not impossible,” Torres said.

Zulay Martinez made history in Jaco

In yet another stunning upset against the best women’s surfers in Costa Rica, Tamarindo’s Zulay Martinez took first place over Leilani McGonagle (an international medalist), Lisbeth Vindas of Jaco (12-time national champion), and Paula Duarte (making a name for herself as well in this category) at the Copa Arenas-Marley in Jaco.

This accolade is now added to Martinez’ win at the ALAS date in Jaco, and the first date of the Circuito Guanacaste de Surf, which took place at her home beach.  In addition, she has made the podium of every contest she has participated in so far this year.  The 15-year-old attributed her elevated surf level and increase in confidence to the fact that she has been training with 2-time former national champion surfer Alvaro Solano (Jaco).

"Today is a memorable day for me,” said Martinez after her win. “To beat all these girls who have such a high level is something amazing that makes me very happy. Winning the Open is something very different and great for me.”

At the close of the Copa Arenas-Marley, Martinez became the current Women’s ranking leader. The next date of the Circuito Nacional de Surf will take place this weekend in Limon.  

Copa Arenas-Marley Results

February 20, 21, 2016

Open

1.       Jason Torres (Jaco)

2.       Leon Glatzer (Pavones)

3.       Durby Castillo (Pavones)

4.       Anthony Fillingim (Jaco)

Women’s

1.       Zulay Martínez (Tamarindo)

2.       Leilani McGonagle (Pavones)

3.       Lisbeth Vindas (Jaco)

4.       Paula Duarte (Jaco)

Junior

1.       Malakai Martínez (Tamarindo)

2.       Dean Vandewalle (Tamarindo)

3.       Samuel Reidy (Dominical)

4.       André Chacón (Jacó)

Junior Women’s

1.       Leilani McGonagle (Pavones)

2.       Paula Duarte (Jaco)

3.       Emily Gussoni (Jaco)

4.       Zulay Martínez (Tamarindo)

Boys

1.       Aldo Chirinos (Playa Negra)

2.       Oscar Urbina (Puerto Viejo)

3.       Malakai Martínez (Tamarindo)

4.       Kenneth Peralta (Jaco)

Girls

1.       Coral Wiggins (Avellanas)

2.       Serena Nava (Playa Grande)

3.       Lia Díaz (Tamarindo)

4.       Zulay Martínez (Tamarindo)

Grommets

1.       Dean Vandewalle (Tamarindo)

2.       Samuel Reidy (Dominical)

3.       Kenneth Peralta (Jaco)

4.       Isauro Elizondo (Panamá)

Minigrommets

1.       Kai Gale (Panamá)

2.       Axel Castro (Limón)

3.       Ziggy Mayrie (Jaco)

4.       Isaiah Dawson

Minigrommets Girls

1.       Valentina Resano (Nicaragua)

2.       Lia Díaz (Tamarindo)

3.       Candelaria Resano (Nicaragua)

4.       Máxima Resano (Nicaragua)

Costa Rica’s SUP, Masters and Longboard nationals in Santa Teresa

All the usual suspects headed down to Santa Teresa for this year’s first date of the Circuito Nacional Master & SUP & Longboard 2016. This three-stop championship is a favorite among veterans, and those who ride alternative boards. The winners  were Andy Seidensticker (Masters), Eric Antonson (SUP), Adolfo Gomez (Longboard from Samara), Andrea Diaz (Women’s Masters from Tamarindo), Jeancarlos Loria (Grandmasters from Jaco) and Craig “Tequila” Schieber (Grand Kahuna from Puerto Viejo).

Jeancarlos Loria showing what experience means  Photo by Brian Bryones

The Federacion de Surf de Costa Rica is planning the next date for Guiones/Norsara, tentatively April 23 and 24.

Tomas King clinches second date of Circuito Guanacaste de Surf

Tomas King grew up surfing in Guanacaste and its surrounding beaches. Right now, he’s too busy working on his surfing career to stop for much of an interview. But that diligence paid off with his first win in a nationally organized contest: 1^st place at the Copa Kina Surf Shop Circuito Guanacasteco de Surf presented by Otis Eyewear and Freestyle Watches last week in Santa Teresa. With his positions in Marbella and Tamarindo, King is now poised at the top of the CGS rankings.  He is also surfing on the QS, with his next date in the Ron Jon’s Van Pro in Cocoa next week.  (Look for a feature on this guy very soon here on Costa Rica Surfing World).

The next date of the Circuito Guanacaste de Surf is April 2 and 3 in Avellanas for the Copa Lolas.

 He's the King of Santa Teresa  Photo courtesy Federacion de Surf de Costa Rica

Results of the Copa Kina

March 5, 6, 2016

Santa Teresa

Open
1. Tomas King
2. Angelo Bonomelli
3. Anthony Fillingim
4. Tiago Carrique

Women’s
1. Candalaria Resano
2. Serena Nava
3. Valentina Resano
4. Zulay Martinez

Masters
1. Ian Bean
2. Christian Boos
3. Manu Carrique
4. Jeff Allen

Juniors
1. Malakai Martinez
2. Dean Vandewalle
3. Tiago Carrique
4. Sean Foerster

Boys
1. Malakai Martinez
2. Dean Vandewalle
3. Francisco Coronado
4. Tiago Carrique

Girls
1. Valentina Resano
2. Zulay Martinez
3. Coral Wiggins
4. Ruby Brownell

Groms
1. Sam Piter
2. Darshan Antequera Badilla
3. Axel Castro
4. Tiago Leão

Longboard
1. Adolfo Gomez
2. Noldan Zuniga
3. Marcelo Moran
4. Alex Gomez