ISA World Surfing Games

International Surfing Association
Huntington Beach, California
14 - 22 October 2006 

COSTA RICA NAMES NATIONAL SURFING TEAM TO SEND TO THE 2006 LOST ENERGY DRINK ISA WSG

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 15 September, 2006 : - - SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA - Antonio Pilurzu, President of the Federacion de Surf de Costa Rica (CRFS), announced today the nationally selected surfers who will travel to represent their country in Huntington Beach, California at the 2006 Lost Energy Drink International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games (WSG).

The competition, which takes place October 14 through 22, is considered the Olympics of Surfing, in that the Games feature some of the best surfers from all over the world vying for team and individual gold, silver, bronze and copper medals. Costa Rica will take to the waves among 28 countries, including teams from Argentina , Australia , Brazil , France , Jamaica , Japan , Mexico , New Zealand , South Africa , Tahiti , the United Kingdom , and the United States . The Games are hosted by Surfing America, the national governing body for the sport of surfing in the U.S.

Surfing for Costa Rica in the Open category are Puerto Viejo's Gilbert Brown and Nino Myrie,both Tico National Surf Champions,as well as Jaco's Luis Vindas and Diejo Naranjo,both ranked Top 10 on the Asociacion Latinoamericana de Surf (ALAS) Latin & Caribbean Pro.

Lisbeth Vindas of Jaco and Nataly Bernold of Tamarindo, the Central American Women's Champion and #2 ranked CA gal, will compete in the WSG for Costa Rica 's Women. Lupe Galluccio of Jaco, the Costa Rican National Junior Women's Champion, will travel to Huntington as a substitute.
Also joining the National Team will be bodyboders Ivan Castrillo (Quepos) and Walter Gatgens (Quepos).

According to Pilurzu, this trip to Huntington Beach represents latest advance for the Costa Rican National Surf Team. Over the past seven years, a new generation of surfers has participated in the Circuito Nacional de Surf, Costa Rica 's annual country wide competition. The CRFS hosted the first-ever Central American tournament earlier this year, and many of Costa Rica 's surfers have had the opportunity to travel to international contests. All of this progress, has not only strengthened their athletic skills, Pilurzu affirmed, but their competitive mindset, too.

"We are taking to the World Surfing Games, a group of athletes who in recent times have risen many levels," Pilurzu said. "In addition, the team includes figures like Luis Vindas and Diego Naranjo who have long-time experience, and who are outstanding, as much inside Costa Rica as they are outside the country."

The National Surf Team will sharpen their skills in a tournament October 7 and 8 in Boca Barranca, Puntarenas. The event, put on by the Surf Commission of that canton, is a benefit to help finance the social programs of the Hogar Monserrat de Ninos, located in the city.

Costa Rica 's Federacion de Surf is the governing body for surfing in Costa Rica and is recognized by ISA, the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), and ALAS. The Circuito Nacional de Surf is a non-profit subsidiary of the FS and is made up of a group of professionals who donate their efforts out of passion for the sport and a desire to advance the sport of surfing in Costa Rica .

The CNS is a series tournaments hosted each year within Costa Rica which provide the only yearly national surf rankings available. For more information about this event and Costa Rica 's Federacion de Surf and the Circuito Nacional de Surf visit www.surfingcr.com .

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