After the success of the World Surfing Games in Costa Rica this past August, José Ureña, President of the Federacion de Surf de Costa Rica proudly announced the kick off of the Circuito Nacional DayStar 2009-2010, presented by LimeCoral.

The date of this nationwide surf tournament will take place December 19 in Jaco Beach and is the first of seven weekends at different beaches around the country and includes a return to the Caribbean after many years away from that vibrant coast.

In addition to the schedule addomg the exciting beach of Cocles in Limón in its third event, competitors will travel to Esterillos in the second date of the season. The six first dates will be 4 Star contests, leaving the Gran Final DayStar in La Curva, Playa Hermosa, to conclude the Circuito Nacional with 5 Stars. By doing it this way, the Circuito will present a tremendous challenge for the potential new champion: Of the total of seven dates, the best four of those will be counted in total points by competitors towards rankings for the crown. This way, for this season, the possibilities of a good final showing will be thrilling for the athletes—and spectators—offering more possibilities of overcoming lower ranking points at the end in Playa Hermosa.

With this year’s Circuito National DayStar 2009-2010 will have a greater number of surfers in all categories. Strategically, the Federacion de Surf de Costa Rica programmed the Gran Finals of the Circuito in the month of June, on the 24, 25 and 26, to coincide with the vacation period of schools. According to Ureña, two criteria were taken into consideration when scheduling this year’s Circuito. The first of those was not to interfere with the school schedule of the competitors. Secondly, they didn’t want to have much time pass between each surf competition taking place.

For the first time, the Circuito Nacional de Surf, extends for a period beginning in December and concludes in June. Last year, in season 2008-2009, the six dates received 1,500 inscribed athletes. For this season, the Federacion de Surf expects approximately 2,000 surfers, many of whom were inspired by the Billabong International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games Costa Rica 2009, according to Ureña.

According to surveys, polled by different mass media in Costa Rica, surf is the sport that has evolved the most in this country. The Circuito Nacional de Surf is most credited for this. The Costa Rica National Surf Team, which competed in the World Surfing Games here, were the result of the Circuito system.

The Circuito Nacional DayStar 2009-2010 will feature 15 categories this year, including the new Female (Under 15 years). At the Latin American level, Costa Rica has been brilliant with obtaining Championships in the divisions it has instated.

“This year, the categories with less than 15 years will be very strong in both male and female, and that’s why the greater possible things will occur from the surfers. With the new category, we will affirm the level of the younger levels, while always aiming for continuing growth in the international representations,” commented Ureña

This year, new sponsors have come aboard to offer their support to the Circuito Nacional, which is primarily sponsored by the chain of DayStar hotels and presented by the mark of LimeCoral clothes.

Also sponsored individual dates of the Circuito Nacional are Mango, Witch’s Rock, Quiksilver, Britt Iced and Daystar in Jaco, Tamarindo, Santa Teresa, Nosara and Playa Hermosa, respectively.

Meanwhile, the current National Surf Champion—in the Open, Junior and Boys categories—faces new challenges this year. Carlos Muñoz, feels that the level of the surfers with less than 18 years “comes strongest.” The Esterillos surfer promises surprises in the Open category, with the seasoned pros to fight, but also up and comers such as Anthony Segura (Jaco), among others, demanding attention. He also faces a powerful group of contenders in the Juniors division including Maykol Torres (Esterillos), Jordan Hernandez (Limon), and Anthony Fillingim (Malpais).

While Muñoz will work to defend his title, and he also has a demanding international calendar for 2010 for a surfer of 16 years of age. This includes the Association of Latin Americana Surfing (ALAS) Latin Tour, the Junior Pro of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), and some appointments of the ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS).

“When the dates don’t hit the Circuito, I will be there,” exclaimed Champion Muñoz.

As the year progresses, there will be more activity outside of the Circuito Nacional de Surf to keep competitors honed in their surfing abilities. In conjunction with the 7 dates of the Circuito, there will be three dates of the Circuito Metropolitano (for resident surfers of non-coastal provinces). In fact, the Gran Finals of the Metropolitano coincides with the Circuito Nacional DayStar 2009-2010 Gran Finals in Playa Hermosa.

Later, after the completion of both the Circuito and the Metropolitano, there is the Triple Crown of Winter, which is returning in July with cash prizes. This way, surfing competitions will take place in this country in 13 dates from December to September. The Costa Rica National Surf Team, selected from top ranked surfers from these tournaments, will have 3 international tournaments outside Costa Rica as well.

SOURCE: Surfing Costa Rica