“Costa Rica Surfing Chicas” offers an exciting mix of surfing, yoga, hiking and massage for girls of all ages. 

At the Del Mar Surf Camp, classes and activities are always scheduled around the Tidal cycles of Earth and Moon, which determine when the best time to surf will be. 

A typical day at camp often begins with an early morning hike into the surrounding mountains where students can see monkeys, toucans and amazing views of the sunrise.                                                 

After hiking, if the tide is right, it’s straight to the ocean, where experienced, bilingual instructors take their groups to perfect surfing spots that match everyone’s skill levels.                                                 

Catching and standing up on that very first wave is a once in a lifetime experience never to be forgotten! 

Afterwards, Indulging in a healthy, delicious meal of specially prepared fresh tropical fruits is a welcomed interlude. 

Choose the perfect ending to the perfect day by winding down with a Yoga class in the jungle, a massage, or watching the Costa Rican sunset while being served an exquisite dinner. 

Del Mar Surf Camp offers an adventurous, fun-filled vacation holiday with new friends, where a healthy taste of the Pura Vida lifestyle will become a necessary experience in your life!  

For more information, check out the website; http://www.costaricasurfingchicas.com/

FINAL DAY CROWD by F. Sanchez

 The international event took place in Jaco/Hermosa, Costa Rica with millions of fans watching in person and live on the Billabong webcast. 

 The hordes of Ticos who attended the event clogged the roads, honked their horns and  made it into a huge beach party.  Some were seen actually watching the amazing surfing that was taking place. Now that the mega-event is over and it's Saturday night, the partying will intensify and last through the whole night!

 Conditions were excellent for the final day’s heats with lots of sunshine, 4-6 foot waves and an endless supply of beer.  Here are the winners---

JEREMY FLORES by Watts

FINAL TEAM RESULTS

Gold-United States (14,910 points)                                            

Silver-France (13,280 points)

Bronze-Australia (10,996 points)

Copper-Hawaii (10,856 points)                                                                                       

JOEL CENTEIO by F. Sanchez

INDIVIDUAL FINAL RESULTS

Open Men’s

Gold-Jeremy Flores-France

Silver-Cory Lopez-USA

Bronze-Gabriel Villaran-Peru

Copper-Ben Bourgeois                                                                                                     

ROSANNE HODGE by F. Sanchez

Open Women’s

Gold-Courtney Conlogue-USA

Silver-Rosanne Hodge-South Africa

Bronze-Sage Erickson-USA

Copper-Pauline Ado-France

Longboard

Gold-Antoine Delpero-France

Silver-Harley Ingleby-Australia

Bronze-Ben Skinner-Great Britain

Copper-Tony Silvagni

*note-results are from the Billabong website-any discrepancies will be corrected asap.  **Front page photo is of Courtney Conlogue by Watts.

WSG PARADE TODAY--SURFING TOMORROW

An event is scheduled that is the essence of “Pura Vida” and when it begins, the transmission of Excitement, Happiness and an overall vibe of Goodness from a little surf town in Costa Rica will start to flow across the Pacific Ocean, washing over the rest of the world in waves of warm healing energy.                                  

Jacó/Playa Hermosa is hosting the 2009 Billabong ISA World Surfing Games for the first time and the whole world will see it digitally documented with photographs, video and a live internet stream that combined is expected to reach 80 million people. 

Although Costa Rica is used to seeing celebrities like Mel and Britney, Tom and Gisele, Charlie and Brooke and TV game shows filming here like “I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!”, never before has an event of this magnitude occurred. 

TEAM COSTA RICA photo by Daniela Vesco

The history of the International Surfing Association (ISA) goes back to 1964 and since 1997, has been organizing events with the goal of achieving full International Olympic Committee status for the sport of surfing. 

The rules for ISA surfing events even go so far as to include testing for steroids and all banned substances-just like the Olympics.  The awards given to the winners are medals of gold, silver, bronze and copper. 

Strange as it may seem, considering the size and importance of an event like this, we would have expected more hype, more promotion, more advanced notice.  However, this hasn’t been the case (which pleases “wish-Costa Rica-would-never-change” locals quite a bit).

Instead, the news of this “Super Surf Happening in Jacó” is being largely disseminated through the old, but often used method of word of mouth and local websites. 

Note-the ISA (International Surfing Federation) website is on board the WSG promo train but Billabong’s website so far doesn't even mention it. 

Even the event logos and posters that are out there, up till now, are understated with muted colors or in black and white.  We’ve posted previous posters used for various other Billabong sponsored events for comparison. 

Maybe this “low key” approach to the WSG reflects the current world economic situation or just a lack of experience handling such a big deal, or it may be partly a result of rumored battles concerning proprietary issues about logos and event advertising. 

The “Monday Morning Quarterbacking” will have to wait but the true spirit of the World Surfing Games will supersede any behind-the-scenes missteps and bickering. 

Enjoy the experience virtually if you can’t attend in person.  Here’s where the live stream site is---  http://www.surfingcr.net/esp/CNS2008_2009/MundialOpen09/Index.shtml 

The schedule of events is as follows:

                EVENT SCHEDULE   (Subject to change)

July 28:  9am - 5pm: Team Registration                                                  
July 29:  9am - 5pm: Team Registration
July 30:  5pm: Team Registration CLOSED
                 Media Registration
                 12:30pm - Media Conference
July 31:  8am - Judges Meeting
                 10am - Managers Meeting 2pm - Parade of Nations (see photo gallery) / Opening Ceremony

August 1: Contest Start: Open Men and Open Women
August 3: 8pm - ISA Annual General Meeting
August 5:  Start of Open Longboard
August 8:  Contest End & Award Ceremony                                                        

http://www.isasurf.org/events_WSG09.php   (official ISA info site)

http://isasurf.org/WSG2009_mediaPR.php   (click for official ISA WSG press release)

http://www.isasurf.org/index.php  (live wsg streaming site)

http://crsurf.com/news/contests/isa-billabong.html (surf/WSG info)

http://wsg2009.com/  (unofficial site for WSG info)

http://surfinjaco.com/2009/04/surf-contest-website-wsg2009com-in-hot-water/ (surf/WSG info)

http://www.surfingcr.net/esp/CNS2008_2009/Index.shtml (surf/WSG info in Spanish)

CARLOS MUNOZ by Fabian Sanchez

 

LISBETH VINDAS

Munoz, ranked 9^th in the world by the International Surfing Association (ISA), made history by becoming the youngest surfer ever to win this event.                                                                            

Lisbeth Vindas won her 7^th Women’s CNS title, reestablishing her top spot over last year’s winner, Nataly Bernold.