Costa Rica started better than never

ISA Billabong World Surfing Games Costa Rica 2009, Playa Hermosa, Jaco.

Without desperation and with a defined knowledge about waves, Costa Rica achieved the best beginning in the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games in Hermosa Beach, in Jaco, Costa Rica; achievement that wasn’t surpass since the World Championship in 2003. The six Costa Rican participants who entered the water advanced to the next round except for one. This was done in front of 5,000 people who sang “oe,oe,oe ticos, ticos” every time the nationals participated in a hit.

The first to get into the water was Gilbert Brown who had his name tagged for the second round of the main event since 8:30am. 10 minutes later, Carlos Muñoz did it the same way without wasting too much energy.Jason Torres, number 5 in the world, was the most applauded and cheered by the crowd in the series at noon, where he advanced as second in the battle that was won by the Argentinean champion, Marcelo Rodriguez. The rest of the Costa Ricans are in the second round of the main event.In a competition that will last up to August 8th, the crowd occupied 400 meters along the shore where a minimum of 5,000 people took the most important role for the Costa Rican surfers motivation.

Around 10am Luis Vindas had the chance. He was the best surfer of the Costa Rican delegation when he demonstrated to the audience why he is considered the best surfer in Costa Rica. To the left and to the right, the experience of the number six around the world was projected in each movement he made. During the afternoon hours, the opportunity was for Lisbeth Vindas and Natalie Bernold, who did it to the next round as leaders in their series one in each podium with half of the crowd each.

Competition is just starting, there has been an excellent time for the Costa Rican National team, we have to be clear that the competition level of this kind of contest is the highest. We are going to do what we know and everything will be fine, affirmed José Ureña, Coach of the team.

Ureña said that the audience’s support is an important key to achieved significant stuff here, and it really results into something positive. The WCT Roy Powers (Hawaii), Jeremy Flores (France) and Matt Benrose (Australia) rode the waves next to Jason Torres in what is considered the hit of the day. Powers was the surfer with the best score by summing more than 16 points helped by the most innovative trick applied in podium 1: 360 frontise double grap.

Besides, the second action will be for Gilbert Brown when he faces the best Australian surfer Mick Campbell and the best Peruvian Open, Gabriel Villaran. Fergal Smith from Ireland will be there, too. During the first weekend the waves weren’t the best in the main podium. They improved during the afternoon hours. On the other side, Podium 2 offered good quality waves all day long. It’s expected that the tides improve the waves during this week. Long board started its activity this yesterday.



If you want to visit Costa Rica for a Surf trip, ask for a Free Quote!