Tobago Pro taps island youth's potential

Jonah Apparicio © Jehanne-Marie Milne

Tobago Pro

Surfing Association of Trinidad and Tobago
Mt.Irvine Beach Tobago
30 December 2013

Young Apparicio is Princess of the Surf at Tobago Pro 2013

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 25 January, 2013 : - - The future of the sport of surfing in Trinidad and Tobago was on display at the Opening Ceremony of the Tobago Pro 2013, which took place at Mt.Irvine Beach on Sunday 30th December, 2012, and by all accounts that future is bright! Surfing, with its healthy outdoor lifestyle, is a great way for youths to spend their time and develop their confidence in the ocean. The Tobago Pro and the Surfing Association of Trinidad and Tobago (SATT) are proud to encourage and develop of youth participation in the sport of surfing.

For many years the SATT struggled to attract young kids, and particularly young women, to the sport of surfing. Coaching and development programs in recent years have turned this around and participation in the Tobago Pro is a great indicator of their positive effect. During the 2012 TOBAGO PRO there were 9 participants (1 Female) in the Under 15 Division, which increased to 11 participants (3 Female) in the 2013 edition. Notably absent this year also, was 2012 Most Outstanding Performer (U15) Kai St.George who recently migrated to Barbados.

A large crowd of families and supporters gathered at Mt.Irvine Beach to watch the young surfers express themselves in the picture perfect waves of Tobago’s Premier Surfing Destination. The vibe on the beach surreal as the kids’ performances surpassed the spectators’ expectations, inciting hoots and whistles of praise from many entertained onlookers. It was hard to tell who was more stoked, the kids in the water or the supporters on the beach!

At the end of the session that saw all the kids put on their very best performance in the surf on offer, it was clear that one young ladies performance truly stood out as the Most Outstanding, Jonah Apparicio. Jonah, the 10 year old daughter of local surfing legend Jason Apparicio, paddled and caught waves on her own power and rode them with style and confidence all the way to the beach.

One on-looker said it best, “it’s like she’s dancing on the surfboard”, describing her almost choreographed movements across the surface of the water. If she makes it look easy, it is because she has had lots of practice, she loves surfing and she does it with confidence and commitment. Her Most Outstanding Performance means that she will be rewarded with a custom made surfboard from T&T’s own surfer/shaper legend Alan Davis.

At the TOBAGO PRO we emphasis that every participant is a winner, especially in the Under 15 division, where all the kids are recognized for their performance and they all receive prizes at the Annual Prize Giving at the end of the year. The 11 kids that took part in this year’s event are also members of the SATT and are encouraged to participate in the ongoing surfer development program that is free to them and consists of clinics put on by this country’s best surf coaches and past champions.

Final Results
Jonah Apparicio - Best Overall Performance
Ross Cabral – Most Promising Male
Oliver Venetia – Best Assisted Surfer
Jaedan Apparicio - Most Committed surfer
Jordan Van Reeken – Most Improved Female
Lilly Stauble – Most Promising Female
Christian Berkley - Most Respected Surfer
Curtis De Silva – Most Powerful Maneuvers
Isaiah Aleong – Best Young Waterman
Jude Gomez – Most Improved Male Goofy Footer
Ryan Abdula – Most Improved Male Regular Footer

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Source: Surfing T&T