2008 ISA World Surfing Games in Portugal - Updates

10/20: History written in Portugal: Costa Rica earns 5th Place at the 2008 ISA World Surfing Games, Jason Torres becomes 1st Costa Rican ever to reach the Top 10 at #5, Luis Vindas comes in 6th, as well as Nataly Bernold.

By Ellen Zoe, Bevy Media

COSTA DE CAPRICA, PORTUGAL October 19, 2008 - Costa Rica arrived happily at the end of the rainbow at the most prestigious event in the world of surfing, and for the National Surf Team what they found was a good as a pot of gold. After eight days of rigorous competition that began with 233 surfers from 29 countries, the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games (WSG) in Costa de Caprica, in the province of Almada, Portugal came to a conclusion with 3 of the Top 10 surfers in their divisions from Costa Rica.

Not only that, the entire Tico Team, when ranked in total for its work, settled in at a historic #5, up 3 spots from its 8th position at the 2006 World Surfing Games in Huntington Beach, California. And, to make the mission complete, whereby in those Games two years ago Costa Rica nabbed the 4th place Copper Medal in the Tag Team event, in Portugal they stepped up to 3rd and earned a Bronze Medal.

Nevertheless, frustration abound today when the Federacion de Surf de Costa Rica and its National Selection learned at the ISA closing ceremonies, that France and Costa Rica were separated in the rankings by 1 single point of difference-11,819 for the 4th place French, and 11,818 for the 5th place Ticos.

The surfers who earned the most points for the Tricolor were those Top 10 stars themselves: Jason Torres at #5, Luis Vindas at #6 and Nataly Bernold at #6 Women's (all from Jaco Beach). Their historical placement in the Top 10 set a world record for Latin America, and with Torres in particular, he equaled the mark of an individual Latino performance in the rankings. The Peruvian Gabriel Villaran was also #5 in the world during the 2004 World Surfing Games in Ecuador.

With this outstanding presentation in Portugal, Costa Rica officially set forth its invitation to the countries of the world for the next spectacle of international surfing: The 2009 Billabong World Surfing Games, in Playa Hermosa near Jaco, where the Federacion de Surf de Costa Rica hopes to host 50 National Selected Surf Teams, the best riders of each country.

"I am certain, the international contest in Costa Rica is going to be the greatest in the history of the World Surfing Games," expressed Fernando Aguerre, President of the ISA.

The Costa Rica National Surf Team, without a doubt, gave a surprise in Portugal, especially with three surfers arriving in the last day of competition, and two of them, in the primary event. It was a tough day, a valiant fight for all.

First, Vindas ran into the problem of finding waves in the 2-foot surf. He dropped to 4th place in his Heat behind 1st place Australian Kai Otten, 2nd place Australian Heath Joske, and 3rd place American C.J. Hobgood. Still excellent enough to place #6 in the world, Open.

Torres was next, admitting later to being without nervousness, and feeling the support of the whole Tico Team behind him on the beach. He surfed hard, but also had trouble finding waves, falling to 3rd place behind 1st place Dayyan Neve of Australia, and C.J. Hobgood of the United States.

The loss was barely felt, however, when the rankings were released and the Tico was #5 in the world. "I feel really happy, but seriously, I'm numb, maybe I'll feel something when I get off the plane in Costa Rica," Torres said later that evening. "Seriously, now I feel like a team guy with our coming in #5. The way we would meet each night, the way we prayed together. Everybody supported me. I was never doubtful."

For her part, after eight days of unbeaten heats, Nataly also felt the poor luck of the waves today. She dropped from the Open heat and into repercharge, where she fell to 3rd place behind Camila Cassia of Brazil in 1st and Marie Dejean of France in 2nd.

Nataly added up her run of performances into a #6 in the world Women's spot.

"We obtained a great record, thanks to the talent of our surfers, and a great unity that we were able to maintain with our experience in previous international representations. Each time we improve and get better," affirmed José Ureña, Technical Director of the Costa Rica National Surf Team and the President of the Federacion de Surf de Costa Rica.

"We felt very motivated because we are seen as a worldwide power of surfing," added Ureña. "Our rivals now are greatest. Our next goal is to be champions of the world."

For more information about the 2008 World Surfing Games go to www.isasurf.org. For more information about the Federacion de Surf de Costa Rica go to www.surfingcr.net

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10/14: From SurfersVillage.com - One of the nations that has shown a great deal of development on the last few years, Costa Rica, had an almost perfect performance today, with three out of his four Open Men team members going straight into the third round. Of the so called developing surfing countries, Costa Rica's performance today was clearly the best.

Luis Vindas, Jairo Perez and Jason Torres made their way to the third round. Torres posted combined scores of 14.5 y 15.5 in his two heats, attracting the attention of the crowd. His best wave of the day, an 8.5, came when he dropped into a set wave, snapped of the top, got barrelled, made a strong off the lip and ended with an air reverse.

"I am really happy for making it through the heats that I've competed, it is hard, because this is the first time that I compete in the Games. I feel really good with my surfing but not confident, because anything can happen", Jason said and added: "Two heats are not too much. What's important here is winning. But to tell the truth I'm really happy, because I saw lots of surfers from strong countries losing and for me to be "alive" for another round is amazing."

10/13: COSTA RICA’S OPEN COMPETITORS SHOW EXCELLENT STRENGTH ON THE 2ND DAY OF THE 2008 ISA WORLD SURFING GAMES IN PORTUGAL

by Ellen Zoe - ellenzoe@aol.com

COSTA DE CAPRICA, PORTUGAL October 13, 2008 – At the completion of the second day of the 2008 International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games (WSG), it was clear that the Costa Rican National Surf Team had come to Costa de Caprica, in the province of Almeda, Portugal with an arsenal of its strongest weapons when it comes to its Open surfing. Jason Torres, Gilbert Brown, Luis Vindas and Jairo Pérez entered the water today, and by closing all but Brown—who surfs tomorrow in repercharge—were still in the main show.

To start the day, when Torres, Brown, Vindas, and Pérez competed in Round 1, every single one of these surfers won 1st place in their respective Heats.

Torres was first to compete this morning, when he went out in front of the main podium. He obtained the second best combination of the Round with more than 16 points in his dominate presentation. Next up for Costa Rica was Brown, and in an equal manner, he showed why he is a left riding specialist, two of these showed remarkable advantage toward a calm finish.

Then, Vindas at Podium 2 demonstrated his talent and security from the start; he’s always sure of his game. Later, Pérez, took on confidence transmitted from his teammates and did not let them down when he obtained another top Heat win, and a pass to Round 2.

For this second day of competition in the 2008 World Surfing Games, Round 2 of the Open category saw the Costa Rica National Surf Team as the Latin American country with its four competitors again surfing with extraordinary results. Torres, who came in 2nd place behind 1st place Brazilian Marco Fernandez, scored an excellent second wave, and was applauded wildly by the public. Vindas’ Heat was a tough one, but he pulled it out to 2nd place with two fast waves in the first minutes behind the United States World Championship Tour (WCT) competitor Ben Bourgeois, and in front of 3rd place German champion Nicolaus von Rupp.

The challenge was rigourous for Gilbert Brown, who had a talent-packed Heat. He opposed the World Champion of the WCT, CJ Hobgood from the United States, who surfed right to 1st place. The local from Portugal, Frederico Morais, at home in the water here, snatched 2nd from Brown, who placed 3rd, in last minutes of the Heat, and Gilbert could do nothing to recover. Brown will see the rest of the World Surfing Games action in the repercharge rounds.

Finally, Pérez at Podium 2 in his Round 2 Heat, scored 2nd place behind the 1st place surfer Dillon Perillo from the United States. It was reported that Pérez’s technique was very accurate for the conditions of the waves, and therefore Jairo obtained a very important position for the Tico Team in their first representation in the Open division.

“The team is very united,” reported José Ureña, Technical Director and Coach of the Costa Rica National Surf Team. “They support one another all the time, they are very motivated to continue fighting, and they cheer each other on, which, of course, facilitates the work all in the right direction.

Tomorrow morning, the Costa Rica National Surf Team will see more action in the Open category with Round 3, and Repercharge 1. All four of the Open surfers will be competing: Gibert Brown, Luis Vindas, Jason Torres, Jairo Pérez.

In addition, the Women’s division will surf in Rounds 1 and 2. This means that Lisbeth Vindas and Nataly Bernold will run waves.

The conditions of the waves have been of very good quality, with approximately 3 to 5 feet in height, breaking frequently, with sets running all hours of the day.

MEET THE COSTA RICAN NATIONAL SURF TEAM:

* Nataly Bernold: WOMEN’S 14 year old with 6 years experience from Playa Jaco; current Central American Women Champion and 2006 Costa Rican National Women Champion and 2007 Junior Women’s Champion; Sponsors: Roxy, Arena’s Surf Shop, Redbull.
* Gilbert Brown: OPEN 25 year old with 15 years experience from Puerto Viejo 2007-08 Costa Rican National Surf Champion; Sponsors: Quiksilver, Maxx.
* Jimena Calvo: BODYBOARDING 18 year old with 4 years experience from Boca Barranca; current Costa Rica National Bodyboard Champion.
* Walter Gatgens: BODYBOARDING 21 year old with 8 years experience from Jaco; completed on the 2006 ISA World Surfing Games Costa Rican National Surf Team; Sponsors: Katin.
* Richard Marín: BODYBOARDING from Quepos.

* Diego Naranjo: LONGBOARD 26 year old with 17 years experience from Playa Jaco; currently Top 5 Asociacion Latinoamericano de Surf’s (ALAS) Latin Pro Tour. Sponsors: Billabong, Red Bull, Reef, Freestyle, Quique, Surf Shop, Byrne Surfboards.
* Jairo Pérez: OPEN 17 year old with 7 years experience from Playa Jaco; most recently the ALAS 2007 Reef Class Costa Rica Champion, 2006-07 Costa Rica National Junior Surf Champion; 2007 Central American Junior Champion; Sponsors: O’Neill, etnies.
* Jason Torres: OPEN 19 year old with 10 years experience from Playa Jaco; currently Central American Champion and hold’s Costa Rica’s only Pan American gold medal from the 2006 Games as a Junior; Sponsors: Quiksilver, etnies.
* Luis Vindas: OPEN 21 year old with 12 years experience from Playa Jaco; 2nd Place 2007-08 CNS; 2007 Costa Rica Triple Crown Winner. Sponsors: Billabong, Reef, Quique, Nixon.
* Lisbeth Vindas: WOMEN’S 26 year old with 13 years experience from Playa Jaco; this 6-time Costa Rican National Women’s Champion and WQS competitor is the 2007 Central American Women’s Champion. Sponsors: Billabong, Reef, Maxx, Arenas Surf Shop, Byrne Surfboards, OAM, Freestyle.

To view the Costa Rica National Surf Team in action at the 2008 ISA World Surfing Games go to www.isasurf.org

For more information about the Federacion de Surf de Costa Rica go to www.surfingcr.net