With the Copa Quiksilver this weekend in Santa Teresa, the Circuito Nacional de Surf DayStar 2009-2010 (CNS) makes a beeline towards the Gran Finals in Playa Hermosa in June. The surfers who attend this 5th date of the Circuito, will be fighting for a National title that is the most uncertain as it has been for years..

Taking place in front of the Hotel Luz de Vida, the elite of Costa Rica’s surf world will go out in a predicted surf of 2 to 3 meters, great conditions for this 4-star contest that will award 1,500 points in each category.

With Mattias Braun of Montezuma winning in Tamarindo, in a final heat with Jason Torres of Jaco and Federico Pilurzu and Isaac Vega of Tamarindo, not to mention the low results of rankings leaders Jair Pérez and Luis Vindas in that Torneo Witch’s Rock, there will be an urgency for top results among this bunch in Santa Teresa, as well as the next date in Nosara.

In addition, look for some heavy action from the current champion of the Open, Junior and Boys category, Carlos Muñoz—absent from dates 1 and 3. He is going to Santa Teresa to try to gain all important points for the season in all of the categories, and he is one known to break records in the Circuito.

With Pérez currently the leader of the general Open ranking—a position he has maintained since the beginning of the season—he is coming off a big international win at the Torneo Invitacional de Panama in Playa Venao, Provincia de Los Santos and is poised to take on the waves at Santa Teresa.

“I am going to give my very best in Santa Teresa. I feel my level is sharp and I am ready to face strong rivals with much humility, but with a strong desire to obtain a good result,” Pérez said.

For the Copa Quiksilver, the Federacion de Surf expects about 250 inscriptions, as well as a great public presence. As it happened, until Tamarindo, more than 8,000 people have cheered on the Circuito.

Women’s Open: This date in Santa Teresa will be fundamentally more important for Nataly Bernold (Jaco) than for Lisbeth Vindas (Jaco). The 16-year-old surfer has a bigger fight for the title in Playa Hermosa. Lisbeth, who had already won 3 contests before Bernold took Tamarindo, could put herself in a winning position if she wins the Copa Quiksilver. If Nataly takes it, it would give her the 2nd win of the season, with a possibility of tying Lisbeth in Nosara next month. Still plenty of action here.

Junior: Although at the moment Jordan Hernandez of Limon is at the top of the ranking, Esterillos’ Maykol Torres is the one who can regain the momentum because of 2 victories in the first 2 dates. Yet, nothing in this category is certain, especially with Carlos Muñoz in the game in Santa Teresa and beyond, and there Anthony Fillingim, the winner in Tamarindo still alive.

Junior Girls: The talent and youth of Jordan Hundley (Jaco) almost make her the champion of this division. But not without a fight. Her opponents are young surfers who are in the formation of their years, all except Nataly Bernold, who has owed this division in the past.

Boys: Everything indicates that Noe Mar McGonagle (Pavones), the new promise of power in his 13 years of age, is collecting the rewards that Carlos Muñoz once did—a championship in all the categories he runs. So far, he’s won Jaco, Westfalia and Tamarindo, so he has Santa Teresa in his scope. Noe Mar is in the same situation as Lisbeth, whereby his top follower is Jaco’s Josué Rodríguez, who just needs to win to climb the rankings.

Grommets: Noe Mar McGonagle won 2 dates, and this division’s main threat is the younger brother of Lisbeth Vindas—Manuel Mesén (Jaco)—who tightened the race in Tamarindo and brings the fight for the title closer.

Grommets Girls: Who will be the first champion in this new category? The leader is the younger sister of Noe Mar, and a surfer for Roxy, Leilani McGonagle (Pavones). Nevertheless, the first 4 ranked in this category are the new great generation of surf females of Costa Rica and they all have a chance at the title: Leilani, Arisha Griotti, Paula Duarte and Emily Gussoni (the last 3 of Jaco).

Longboard: The 9th place he received in Tamarindo was the result of an injury for Anthony Flores, but the Jacoeno won the first 3 dates and is going “smooth all the way for” the title in Playa Hermosa.

Novices: The dreams of prominence for Giannio Ferrandino of (Ramnon) are little by little becoming reality. The title looks to be his, if he keeps the lead.

Masters and Grand Masters: Both the categories are led by Puerto Viejo’s Craig Schieber. Nevertheless, Peruvian Carlos Velarde and the Brazilian Cassio Carvalho can complicate everything.

The inscriptions of the Copa Quiksilver will take place Friday, April 9, in the Hotel Luz de Vida, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and will cost 12,000 colons for the majors and 8,000 for the categories under 16 years of age. The membership has a cost of 15,000 colons. The competition begins Saturday and Sunday at 7:00 a.m.

SOURCE: Federación de Surf de Costa Rica