Sam Reidy, a 19-year-old local from Dominical Beach, is experiencing his first call-up as a national team member to represent Costa Rica at the ISA World Surfing Games Puerto Rico 2024.

Sam Reidy, a 19-year-old surfer from Playa Dominical and currently ranked #10 in the QS, is experiencing his first call-up to the national team to represent Costa Rica at the ISA World Surfing Games Puerto Rico 2024, the final qualifying event for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This is an excerpt from our conversation with Sam to get his thoughts on the call-up and learn more about his career in competitive surfing during 2023.

How has your preparation been in 2023 on a physical, emotional, and technical level? Tell us what you've been working on.

Training and preparation have been my main focus this year. At the beginning of the year, I told myself that this was my year to give it my all! I started training harder, spending more time in the water, and concentrating on the small details of my surfing. I also began talking to a sports psychologist about my mental health and how to control my thoughts. This has helped me achieve all the success I've had recently.

We've seen you participate in QS and ALAS events throughout the year. How did you fare with the results this year? What were your expectations? Did you meet them?

I'm very happy with my progress this year. I started the year a little rough with the QS. I had one good heat and then lost the next. After winning the National Circuit stop in Playa Dominical, I gained momentum. My goal for the QS and the ALAS was to reach the finals. It was a big goal, but I knew my hard work would pay off... and it did. I reached the finals at the Outer Banks Pro QS, the ALAS Puerto Rico, the ALAS Guatemala, and the quarterfinals in Morro Bay.

How do you feel about being called up to the Costa Rican national team for the 2024 ISA World Surfing Games? Were you expecting it? How did you receive the news?

Being selected for the National Team is a dream come true! I've been working towards this since I was a kid. It's a huge honor to represent Costa Rica at the ISA World Surfing Games. Did I expect it? Absolutely not. If there's one thing I've learned through competitive surfing, it's to never expect anything. There are so many incredible surfers in Costa Rica who deserve to represent the country. I received the news right after the Morro Bay competition ended. I got a message from Diego Naranjo (Costa Rica's Technical Director) saying I had been chosen to represent Costa Rica at the 2024 ISA World Surfing Games. It was the best news I had received all year. I called my family, and with tears of joy streaming down my face, we finally celebrated all those years of hard work.

What are your expectations for the ISA World Surfing Games and for 2024 in general? What events will you be organizing?

I've learned not to expect anything. It's all about goals! My goals for the ISA World Surfing Games are to show my best surfing, have fun, and QUALIFY FOR THE OLYMPIC GAMES!!! I will participate in the rest of the scheduled QS events (except maybe the Dominican Republic) to qualify for the Challenger Series. Making the CT and going all the way is the ultimate goal.

We've seen your progression in competitive surfing, what would you say is the key to getting good results?

The key to achieving great results is to train hard, trust the process, and have fun! Training hard gives you the confidence to compete at the highest level. Competing at a high level is a challenging process, and sometimes you'll want to give up, but it's crucial to overcome those difficult moments and remember all the hard work you've put in. Most importantly… remember to have fun! Being a professional surfer is the most fun job in the world. You get to do what you love, and it's important to be grateful for that.

Are there other athletes supporting you in your process, what is your relationship with them like, and who are your closest circle?

I travel with a close group of friends who are also elite athletes. Having a close-knit group of like-minded friends is essential. I'm so grateful to have friends who support and challenge me! Darshan Antequera, Tao Rodriguez, Tosh Talbot, Nadav Attar, Leilani McGonagle (the QS mom), Rubiana Brownell, Kai Gale Grani, and Keanu Igarashi are my inner circle.

What advice would you give to groms who aspire to build a sports career in competitive surfing?

My advice is to set clear goals, work hard, and have fun.