The ninth edition of the Central American Surfing Games resulted in a ninth consecutive victory for Costa Rica. This year, the games were hosted at the pristine breaks of Puerto de la Paz in La Libertad, Republic of El Salvador, and Tico surfers captured 10 out of 13 gold medals awarded to competitors.

 

According to a press release by the Surfing Federation of Costa Rica (Spanish acronym: FEDESURF), Tico competitors at the 9^th Central American Surfing Games failed to bring back gold on the Standup Paddle Boarding (SUP) race and on two prone paddling events. It helps to note that prone paddling is one of the most physically demanding events associated with competitive surfing; this is a discipline that never fails to cause that “spaghetti arm” feeling after a competition, but Costa Rica was still able to get bronze and copper medals in El Salvador.

 

The surfing sensation among the team from Costa Rica this year was Leonardo Calvo, a young surfer from Puntarenas who was the most radical and competitive among all participants. Young Mr. Calvo is 17 years old, and he took heat after heat in El Salvador. All in all, Costa Rica brought back 10 gold medals, two silver, two bronze, and four copper. In 2015, the 10^th edition of the Central American Surfing Games will move to Nicaragua before returning to Costa Rica in 2016.

 

Following is the gold medal run-down:

• Open: Leonardo Calvo (CR)
• Open Female: Leilani McGonagle (CR)
• Junior: Leonardo Calvo (CR)
• Junior Female: Paola Rodriguez (CR)
• Boys (Under 16): Aldo Chirinos (CR)
• Longboard: Anthony Flores (CR)
• Master: Geancarlo Loría (CR)
• Bodyboard: Edwin Nuñez (Panama)
• SUP Surf: Dennis Picado (CR)
• SUP Surf (female): Emily Gussoni (CR)
• SUP Race: (Nicaragua – as a team)
• Sup Race Female: Edith García (CR)
• Prone Paddling: Kalani García (Panama )