Costa Rica Surfing by Ellen Zoe Golden

Costa Rica surfing Column: Last month, in Puerto Viejo’s Cocles beach, one of the most likely candidates to surf in the Japan Olympics (should they go on as planned)—Noe Mar McGonagle—won the Copa Almonds & Corals. Whie the Women’s winner, Paulina Summers may not be eligible for this year’s Olympics this year, her win at in Cocles, continues to position her as one of the best in Costa Rica surfing.

On the complicated wave of Cocles, the Open finals featured McGonagle, Oscar Urbina, Maykol Torres and Cedric McCrakin; and the Women’s finals included Summers, Lisbeth Vindas, Rachel Agüero and Auxiela Ryan.

McGonagle surpassed Urbina and McCrakin—the latter locals of the surf spot—with a 12-point score total compared to 10.46 for the latter, 10.27 for the former. Torres earned 7.27.

“I’m very happy to win this date here in Puerto Viejo as it always receives me super well,” McGonagle said. “This I take as the best training I could have for the WQS which I will do all this year. Amazing to compete against such young talents we have in Costa Rica.”

This victory earns McGongale 1,500 points for the Open rankings, but Urbina remains in the lead with this 3rd place finish and also winning 1st place the previous month in Dominical.

Meanwhile Summers, took down the legend of Costa Rica surfing, Lisbeth Vindas (12-time Women’s champion) in the last minutes of the Women’s final. Not coincidentally, Summers also won this date last year with her skill, and in Cocles she also won the Junior division at this 2020 date.

“The Cocles wave is quite challenging due to the currents and the sandbar, and because of that I was able to take advantage of my knowledge and leave with the gold for my home,” said Summers.

Copa Almonds & Corals
Final Results Costa Rica Surfing
February 22, and 23, 2020

Open

1- Noe Mar McGonagle
2- Cedric McCrakin
3- Oscar Urbina
4- Maykol Torres

Open Women’s:
1- Paulina Summers
2- Lisbeth Vindas
3- Rachel Agüero
4- Auxiela Ryan

Junior:
1- Sam Reidy
2- Aaron Ramirez
3- Axel Castro
4- Chatel Olofi

Junior Women’s:
1- Paulina Summers
2- Auxiela Ryan
3- Indiana Ferri
4- Rachel Agüero

Boys:
1- Axel Castro
2- Tosh Talbot
3- Leonardo Apreda
4- Ethan Hollander

Girls:
1- Indiana Ferri
2- Auxiela Ryan
3- Ericka Berra
4- Rachel Aguero

Grommets:
1- Ethan Hollander
2- Leo Apreda
3- Chatel Silas
4- Noah Silas
5- David Monge

Minigrommets Boys:
1- Eli Sol Hernández
2- Kilyan Marchena
3- Xerico Rose
4- Ricardo Leon

Minigrommets Girls:
1- Darley Salomon
2- Kaala Hernández
3- Angelica Valencia

Kids:
1- Laksman Gamboa
2- Koa Bryannt
3- Kian Jirón
4- Kishaun Grenald