Thomas King at his best.
In this surf report we want to share with you information about Playa Dominical, that offered incredible waves for the Copa Pro Medical Team – Energy Law Firm date of the Circuito Nacional kölbi, presented by INS JOVEN and Adrenaline Rush. The contest was the kickoff of the annual countrywide surf tournament that will, once again, determine Costa Rica’s national champions. Nine winners were set on the road to the crown from this first date, among seven.
The last two finals, Open and Women’s were very intense and as result Leon Glatzer of Pavones won the former, and the 36-year-old Jaco surfer Lisbeth Vindas returned to the podium for the beginning of a fight for a 13th Women’s title.
The Open final not only included Glatzer, but also Jaco’s André Chacón, Tamarindo’s Tomás Kingand Puerto Viejo native Gilbert Brown. These guys mixed an exciting aerial and power surfing game that found King obtaining the best heat wave of 8.50. However, Glatzer combined a 7.00 and 6.87 to win it all with a 13.87.
“This year makes seven years running the Circuito Naitonal. I dreamed of a day like today since childhood and the truth is that to achieve a win with these waves and against these rivals that there was in the category, makes me even more proud,” Glatzer said.
On the other hand, the victory of Lisbeth Vindas, above Rubiana Brownell, Serena Nava and Zulay Martinez, sets up an interesting combination of variables for the Women’s season. With a combination of 10.67, Lisbeth was the best of the heat.
“I’m glad because Dominical always gives us such good waves. For many years I have come to Dominical and the truth is that it never fails us in waves. I hope to give a good fight this new Circuito,” said Vindas.
And finally, the revelation of the event was Sam Reidy, the local Dominical and current national Boys champion, because for the first time he made it into the Juniors final. He not only won, but he overwhelmed his finals competitors with a combination 14.60 (8.10 + 6.50).
Playa Dominical presented waves that exceeded 6 feet with long faces and even the possibility of tubes. This, and wind direction, resulted in the high scores that characterized the day.
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This past date in Dominical, and the rest of the Circuito Nacional de Surf (CNS) was, and will now be broadcast live, with video, scores and results. Another new feature is the addition of an Avellans date on this year’s schedule. This is first time in 12 years that beach has hosted the CNS.
The remaining schedule of the 2018 Circuito Nacional is as follows:
February 24 and 25 – Puerto Viejo
March 17 and 18 – Avellanas
April 14 and 15 – Santa Teresa
May 26 and 27 – Bejuco
June 23 and 24 – Jaco
July 27, 28 and 29 – Playa Hermosa de Jaco
Playa Bejuco in Parrita, also returns to the schedule.
This surf report also shows that the Federacion de Surf de Costa Rica (FSC), who organizes the Circuito, noticed that last year’s tournament attracted more than 40,000 live spectators and thought that adding the live video component would enhance the experience even more. As a result, fans of Costa Rican surfing both in the country and outside internationally can now follow the track of the competitors. The broadcast will also afford the judges the opportunity to enact instant replays for scoring.
Ever since the announcement that surfing will be included in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the FSC has focused on activities and contests that will determine a group of athletes to send to Japan. Previously, the national rankings were a major factor in a pre-selection team that worked to become the Costa Rica national surf team that attended international events such as the International Surf Association (ISA) World Surfing Games and the various Latin American contests.
Last month the ISA and World Surf League (WSL) announced qualifiers for the Olympics, and the FSC is determined that every event that Costa Ricans participate in for the next three years will pinpoint surfers who will meet those requirements. Already, late last year, Costa Rica took gold in the first Olympic-sanctioned contest in which they participated, the Central America Sports Games in Nicaragua. Candidates for Tokyo will also come from winners in the upcoming Pan-American Games, and of course, their results on the WSL Qualifying Series (QS), which the chosen ones are likely to be doing.
“We just came back from Nicaragua with a brilliant result that gave us a brilliant team,” said Randall Chaves, President of the Federacion. “Each national team now understands the importance of being part of the Olympic cycle and it is for that reason too, that the kölbi circuito is where the route to Tokyo begins.”
“Of course, we also want to wish the best of success to all the competitors who are preparing for next season,” he added.
Another new focus for the Federation is the scholarship program for surfers who need help with FSC membership, event registrations, food, per diem money, surfboards (from Carton and Banzaii, both sponsors of the Circuito).
Outside the country, the 2018 WSL season has begun, and and fresh from his copper medal finish at the Central America Sports Games (and a team gold) Jason Torres started with the first QS in his annual trek to the Seat Pro Netanya presented by Reef in Kontiki Beach, Israel. On the plus side, he did better this year, passing two heats before losing in 4th place in Round 3. “I finished my participation here in Israel,” Torres said. “I feel very good about it, but the waves didn’t help much. I am very happy that I am surfing well, and that I am here representing Costa Rica along with Carlos Muñoz. It was incredible and I am going to continue to focus my training; this is just the beginning. Thanks for all the support to help me realize the blessings of surfing in this sacred land.”
Muñoz, by the way, was seeded to start in Round 2, but it didn’t matter as he came in 3rd and didn’t pass.
Next, at the inaugural Florida Pro presented by Sunshine State Florida Lager at Sebastian Inlet, Leo Calvo and Tomas King made a play at their first 2018 QS. King passed to Round 4, before being bested out. Calvo, for his part, passed Round 1 before ending his run.
