Carlos Muñoz is the youngest Junior Surf Champion in Costa Rica.

Months of consistent performances at all seven Costa Rica National Surf Circuit events finally paid off for Limon native Gilbert Brown this weekend at the Playa Hermosa Terrazas Reef Final. Brown finished with flying colors, by taking first place in the event and the entire competition and finally freeing himself from strong pressure from Luis Vindas who was right on his tail for the last two events.

The final heat of the event was a fight between some of the best surfers in the country including Diego Naranjo, Jairo Perez and Vindas. Even though Vindas carried the best wave of the final and Naranjo took first place in the event, Brown cut past with his consistency and concrete maneuvers, only needing to surpass Vindas in the finals to take first place in the 2007-2008 National Circuit. Being last year’s champion, Naranjo accepted his first place award, and passed the National Championship on to Brown.

Upon receiving the first place award, Brown acknowledged that the pressure from Vindas kept him going, and that it was a huge honor to beat him, as he considers Vindas to be the best surfer in Costa Rica.

On the women’s side, Lisbeth Vindas held on to her solid lead to win her 7th National Championship. Vindas only had to reach the final round to become the National Champion, and enjoyed an easy run. Nataly Bernold, who came in second, passed the crown on to her mentor Vindas in the crowning ceremony.

On the Junior’s side, Carlos Muñoz took a first place win, making him the youngest Junior Champion in the History of Costa Rica surf competitions. The 15-year-old from Esterillos continues to progress in skill and age, having dominated each age group from sub 12 in 2005, to sub 14 in 2006, sub 16 in 2007 and now holds the sub 18 (Junior’s) title.

The culmination of months of dedicated surf competitions was celebrated in style. Between the night surfing competition finals, concerts, prize ceremony and the Miss Surf Organic and Natural Final Competition, visitors were met with plenty of options to entertain them through the night. The new Miss Surf Organic and Natural, Jetsie Hernandez [center right, white bikini], had plenty of reason to celebrate after earning $1,000 and a spot in the Chica Reef competition that will take place in November of this year.

The final results of the 2007-2008 Costa Rica National Surf Circuit:

Open
1. Gilbert Brown
2. Luis Vindas
3. Matias Braun
4. Juan Carlos Naranjo

Women
1. Lisbeth Vindas
2. Nataly Bernold
3. Laura Pecoraro
4. Verónica Quirós

Junior Boys
1. Carlos Muñoz
2. Jairo Pérez
3. Anderson Tascón
4. Rudy Jiménez

Junior Girls
1. Nataly Bernold
2. Debbie Zec
3. Jullie Javelle
4. Anastasia Patterson

Longboard
1. Diego Naranjo
2. Cedric Auffret
3. Mauricio Umaña
4. Cristian Santamaría

Masters
1. Mauro Sergio Oliveira
2. Marcelo Matos
3. Mike Esterak
4. William Agüero

Bodyboard
1. Joan Mojica
2. Richard Marin
3. Yeffrey Gómez
4. Reiner Montenegro

Women’s Bodyboard
1. Lorena Vera
2. Jimena Calvo
3. Dinnet Arce
4. Anne Cecile Lacoste

Photos Courtesy of Shifi Surf Shots.

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Filed under: Surf on April 28th, 2008