Days before the inauguration of the 6^th annual Reef Central American Surf Games, the coach of the National Surfing Team made something very clear: “Our goal and responsibility will be to come away with gold medals for all teams, as well as capturing the top spot in all divisions.” Jose Urena was not taking any chances. “We called up the same team as we had for Panama, plus some under-18 surfers who weren’t there”, he added, referring to the 2011 Billabong ISA World Surfing Games that took place in Playa Venao, Panama.

Australia took the top surfing team honors at the 2011 World Surfing Games, and Ticos managed to place a modest 11^th place behind surfing powerhouses such as United States and Brazil, but the team absolutely cleaned house later that year at the Reef Centroamerica Games, aptly held at Playa Hermosa in Jaco, Puntarenas. Just like Jose Urena had resolved, not only did the National Surfing Team score its sixth consecutive title at the Reef Centroamerica Games, but also managed to qualify half of its members to the finals and take five individual gold medals. This achievement makes Tico surfers the undefeated representatives of surfing in the Central American region.

The Reef Centroamerica Games ran from December 1 to 4 and included Sansa Regional as a sponsor, a local airline that surfers often utilize to reach their favorite (and often remote) breaks. The opening ceremony included a parade of the participating teams and the requisite calendar signings and appearances by the sexy Reef Girls, known around the world for their flawless beach bodies and sun-kissed skin. Reef Girls from Panama and Argentina joined the beautiful Tica Andreina Samudio, who is also an avid surfer. The Central Park at Jaco was the scene of the parade, which featured music by the local Technical and Tourism High School. The event was recorded web simulcast and posterity by Wipeout Films, an outfit that’s dedicated to covering activities such as surfing and skateboarding in Costa Rica.

The monetary purse distributed among the surfing champions, about $5000, pales in comparison to what a pro surfer can earn at tournaments like the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing in Hawaii. That did not stop Tico surfers from shining in just about every category during the heats at Playa Hermosa. The National Surfing Team had the local advantage and know how of the Playa Hermosa swells, and it showed from Day One. The initial heat was brutal, qualification-wise, as 36 surfers went home and 16 Ticos qualified for the next round. One of the highlights of Day One was Noe Mar McGonagle, who scored 8.00 points in a very challenging set of less-than-glassy 2 meter swells.

The absolute showstopper of the tournament came during Day Two. Conditions at Playa Hermosa improved, with quite a few tubes and nice peaks forming during the heats, something that 18-year old Carlos Munoz quickly took advantage of as he flew off the lip and executed a spectacular aerial maneuver that is often referred to as “kurupt flip”, but Munoz went huge on this one, earning a perfect 10.00. A later heat by Munoz scored 9.50 with just one maneuver. Such frontside aerials are typically seen on the pages of skateboarding magazines such as El Cubo, but to see them elgantly executed in the swells is a rare treat for action sports photographers.

At the awards ceremony, the National Surfing Team took top honors. The list of top performing Ticos was impressive: Anthony Fillingim (open), followed by Carlos Munoz in second place and Luis Vindas in fourth. At the women’s open it was all Ticas: Nataly Bernold, Lisbeth Vindas, Samanta Alonso, and Malena Toral. The three top junior spots went to young Ticos: Noe Mar McGonagle, Alberto Munoz and Tomas King. The top two spots for boys went to Bruno Carvalho and Leonardo Calvo, while the longboard category also stayed in Costa Rica thanks to Anthony Flores and his impressive 12.94 score.

The Cruz Roja estimated that about 6,000 people attended the event, a testament to the attention surfing is justly receiving in the country.

Costa Rica has been known as a surfers’ paradise for decades, and talented Tico surfers have regularly enjoyed the pristine beaches and generous breaks, but it wasn’t until 2006 that surfing turned into a professional endeavor with the lawful formation of the Federacion de Surf de Costa Rica. The federation is recognized by the National Council of Sports and Recreation, meaning that professional surfing in Costa Rica is supported by her government. Since its inception, the federation has done a lot to promote Tico surfing on the international stage. Two of the greatest achievements, aside from the Reef Centroamerica supremacy, include 4^th place at the 2007 Pan American Surfing Games in Chile, and 5^th at the 2008 ISA World Surfing Games in Portugal.