EIGHT surfers have been selected by the Barbados Surfing Association (BSA) to compete at the Billabong ISA World Games slated to be held in Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica from tomorrow to August 8.

The team, which left the island yesterday, comprises four (4) Open Men – Stefan Corbin, Simon Coles, Christopher Clarke and Jonathan Reece; two (2) Longboarders, Kenny Tuach and Kevin Jones; and one Open Lady – Chelsea Tuach. Officials accompanying the team are Peter Corbin (team manager and assistant coach), Margot Tuach (assistant manager), Nicholas Donawa (coach) and Elvis Carter (judge).

The best surfers from around the globe will be representing their countries in the event known as the “Olympics of Surfing” on the waves of Playa Hermosa in an Olympic-style competition, which brings together more than 200 of the best surfers from 35 different countries. It is set to be the biggest surfing championship ever held in Central America.
Barbados’ team members have all been training hard in the waters of South Point, Drill Hall and Soup Bowl, and all are seeking to achieve an excellent performance to honour their country through the sport of surfing.

Barbados has not competed in the World Surfing Games since 2006 and this experience will prove to be an invaluable one for the surfers participating and for the sport of surfing in Barbados. Last year’s competition, which took place in Costa de Caparica, Portugal, saw a turn out of more than 200 competitors from 28 countries. The number of surfers and skill level is expected to increase for this year’s competition, which is scheduled to correspond with Playa Hermosa’s peak surf season, with waves ranging anywhere from four to eight feet with perfect barrels. Weather forecasts for Playa Hermosa expect light, sporadic rain throughout the contest week, with an average water temperature of 75°F (24°C) and an atmospheric temperature varying between 73°F (23°C) and 91°F (33°C).

Playa Hermosa is a beach break located on the Pacific Coast and is considered to be one of the best places to surf in the world. The president of the Costa Rica Federation of Surf (FSC – the hosts of the event) Jose Ureña, told the press, “I am really happy for the opportunity that ISA and Billabong have given to us. To be the hosts of an event like this is like a dream come true, and to have so many countries enjoying our waves, it is something wonderful. It’s a unique occasion for us.”

The fact that Billabong is sponsoring this year’s event for the first time was also a big break for Costa Rica and the entire surfing world.

Brand representative Graham Stapelberg, promoted the decision to host the games in Costa Rica by saying, “I believe it is vital to provide a platform for these emerging surf regions. It is the only event of its kind where you get such a large representation of so many different surf nations.”
The team to beat this year is four-time ISA Surfing Games champion, Australia, who racked up Gold medals in the last three consecutive events. Only four countries have managed to win the Gold Medal in the General Team Ranking of the World Surfing Games since 1996: United States (1996), Brazil (2000), South Africa (2002), and Australia (1998, 2004, 2006 and 2008). The four powerhouses have already announced that they will be coming to Costa Rica in full force, intent on acquiring the Gold once again.

The BSA is very grateful to all its sponsors, especially the Barbados Olympic Association, the National Sports Council, Flyin’ Fish, Lavazza Coffee, L.E. Gibbs and Co Ltd, HIPAC Ltd, Carters, Redbull, Sprite, Mount Gay, Crane & Equipment and Williams Equipment, for helping to make it possible to send a team to this year’s event.

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Bahamian Blake Sands took on all comers and came out on top in the 2008 AAU National Surfing Championships. The championships which were held between October 26-28, saw Sands topping the men’s division 18-34 ahead of Mike Perrischetti, Ian Criswell, Jared Herndon, Paul Munson and Sam Mailender. Sands, who has seen recent successes in ESA/CFL divisions, is now contemplating a move to pro.

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