Carlos Muñoz Won Surf for Youth at Marbella

Photo by: Johan Pachecho courtesy Atenea Marketing

After a successful surf event that brought members of the surf community together to help the less fortunate children of Guanacaste, Waves Costa Rica, under the spearhead of owner Andrea Díaz, is collaborating with CEPIA to create an organization that will help develop young surf talent for the Surfing National Circuit. On May 5, Díaz held a surf contest and organized a day full of activities called Surf for Youth, in which pro surfers were given the chance of giving something back to the community. Thanks to the donations brought to the contest by the surfers, CEPIA kids will now have the tools for receiving surf lessons in Tamarindo.

      During Surf for Youth, 70 surfers competed in beautiful waves of approximately 2 meters high at a spot that was kept secret to have respect for the locals. At the same time, in between the heats, 20 CEPIA kids worked on crafts and played beach games with the pros. Donations from the pros included leashes, hats, surf trunks, and bathing suits, which were given to CEPIA a few days after the contest. CEPIA children also learned how a contest works, so that one day they might compete in one.

    “The idea was for the surf community to hang together with CEPIA kids with the purpose of surfing,” recapped Diaz and added, “What we were trying to do was to show them that you can live your dreams through surfing.”

       Under the guidance of instructor Scott Kadowaki, the idea is that these youngsters will take up the sport for them to become pros one day. Beginning next month, Diaz and Kadowaki will work with CEPIA children, as well as with any other children from the community who cannot afford the expenses of surfing. They will be watching for improvement and talent and will eventually form an organization that will serve as a feeder into the Surfing National Circuit, which is always looking for young competitors to nurture and keep growing within that system.

     As to the contest itself, when not on shore with the CEPIA kids, many of the top pros were competing: 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, then Brown, Muňoz again, then Vega. The result was gripping until the end, when Muňoz copped the top trophy; Brown came in second, Vega 3rd, with Narajo at 4th place.

      In the women’s division, champion Vindas had her hands full with new competitors Tal Saporta and Evie Johnstone. However, Daniela Ciminero, the newcomer, was the one 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 them. Even some of the pros, when they were not helping with the games or surfing in the contest, took time out to coach the new crop of talent.

     Diaz’s Waves Costa Rica presented along with Tiki Hut Bar and Restaurant. Marbella Real Estate, Carton Surfboards, Marbella Surf Inn, Skullcandy, and Quiksilver contributed to help put the contest on. Best Western Tamarindo Vista Villas donated some rooms for the event.

Surf for Youth May 5, 2012

OPEN:
1. Carlos Muñoz
2. Gilbert Brown
3. Isaac Vega
4. Diego Naranjo

WOMEN / MUJERES:
1. Danielle Ciminero
2. Lisbeth Vindas
3. Tal Saporta
4. Evie Johnstone

GROMS GIRLS/ CHICAS:

1. Liliana Guinaldo
2. Lia Diaz
3. Sorya Folger

GROMS BOYS/ 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