WAVES COSTA RICA, CEPIA ORGANIZATION PRESENT SURF FOR YOUTH
SURF, ART AND GAMES BRINGS UNDERPRIVILEDGED KIDS TO BEACH
New Surf Organization Formed to Help Kids Get Into National Contest
by: Ellen Zoe Golden -
The Bevy, Marketing and Designs
After a successful surf event that brought out members of the surf community to help the less fortunate children of the Guanacaste area, Waves Costa Rica under the spearhead of owner Andrea Diaz, is partnering with CEPIA to create an organization that will develop young surf talent for the Circuito Nacional de Surf. On May 5, Diaz put on a surf contest and activity-filled day called Surf for Youth that allowed pro surfers to give back to the community. As a result of the donations the surfers brought to the contest, CEPIA kids will have the tools for surf lessons in Tamarindo.
During Surf for Youth, 70 surfers competed in beautiful wave of approximately 2 meters at a spot kept secret to respect the locals. At the same time, 20 CEPIA kids worked on crafts, and played beach games with the pros in between their heats. Donations from the pros included leashes, hats, surf trunks and bathing suits, which were distributed to CEPA a few days after the contest.
The CEPIA children also learned how a contest worked, so that one day they might compete in one.
“The idea was for the surf community to hang together with the CEPIA kids with the purpose of surfing,” recapped Diaz. “What we were trying to do was show through surfing that you can live your dreams.”
Under the tutelage of instructor Scott Kadowaki, the hope is that these youngsters will take up the sport and maybe one day being pros themselves. Beginning next month, Diaz and Kadowaki will work with the CEPIA children, as well as any other children from the community who cannot afford surf, watching for improvement and talent. They will eventually form an organization that will serve as a feeder into the Circuito Nacional, which is always looking for young competitors to nurture and keep growing within that system.
As to the contest itself, a lot of the top pros were competing when not on shore with the CEPIA kids. Gilbert Brown, Isaac Vega, Lisbeth Vindas, Diego Naranjo, Carlos Muňoz, Jair Perez, International Surfing Association (ISA) World Masters Surfing Games gold medal winner Craig “Tequila”Schieber, and Nicaragua’s Rex Calderon entered the water in various divisions to vie for the cash prizes.
After a spectacular final heat, which was a virtual tube battle, Muňoz won 1st place Open and $500. Surfing against Brown, Vega and Naranjo, the spectators watched as a high caliber surfing match took place barrel to barrel—first Muňoz, the Brown, Muňoz again, then Vega. The result was gripping until the end, when Muňoz copped the top trophy, Brown came in 2nd, Vega 3rd, with Narajo at 4th place.
In the women’s division, champion Vindas had her hands full with new Circuito competitors Tal Saporta and Evie Johnstone. But it was the newcomer Daniela Comenero who beat them all by finding waves and riding them with high scores.
One of the highlights of Surf for Youth was when the Grommets hit the water. With the huge waves, the youngsters displayed courage paddling out, some with coaches and some without. Even some of the pros, when they weren’t helping with the games or surfing in the contest, took time out to coach the new crop of talent.
Diaz’s Waves Costa presented along with Tiki Hut Bar and Restaurant, with Marbella Real Estate, Carton Surfboards, Marbella Surf Inn, Skullcandy, and Quiksilver contributing to help put the contest on. Best Western Tamarindo Vista Villas donated rooms.
Surf for Youth
May 5, 2012
OPEN:
1. Carlos Muñoz
2. Gilbert Brown
3. Isaac Vega
4. Diego Naranjo
MUJERES:
1. Danielle Ciminero
2. Lisbeth Vindas
3. Tal Saporta
4. Evie Johnstone
GROMS CHICAS
1. Liliana Guinaldo
2. Lia Diaz
3. Sorya Folger
GROMS CHICOS:
1. Sean Foster
2. Tiago Carrique
3. Jame Carteel
4. Sage Guinaldo
MASTER:
1. Marcel Guinaldo
2. Craig “Tequila” Schieber
3. Forest Folger
4. Jeffrey Allen
5. Jeffry Mars
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