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Rachel Aguero and Leonardo Apreda will compete in their first ISA Junior World Championship.

It is difficult to express in words the meaning of representing the country you love, feeling that joy of knowing that you were selected to defend the white, blue and red colors.

The individual prestige for an athlete of being considered for a national team is the greatest honor an athlete can experience, therefore the excitement upon learning that you are on the final list of those selected for the Junior World Surfing Games is not insignificant.

This 2019 national team is made up of familiar faces compared to the previous year's world championship, however, the presence of two elements highlights the great talent in the new generations of Costa Rican surfing.

Rachel Aguero (Under 16 female) and Leonardo Apreda (Under 16 male), will be the youngest players from our country, at 13 and 12 years of age respectively.

Surfing Republica spoke with the athletes and their parents about what this call to the national team meant to them, and here we share the interview.

What was your first reaction when you found out you would be selected for the national team?

Rachel Aguero: My first reaction was happiness. I've been training very hard in recent years and I feel very happy.

Leo Apreda: I felt very happy to be able to represent Costa Rica.

What does it mean to you to be on a national team and compete in a junior world championship?

Rachel Aguero: It means great pride and I always try to uphold the country's name.

Leo Apreda: It is a great experience, opportunity and responsibility to represent my country.

How have they been training to be considered for the 2019 World Surfing Games?

Rachel Aguero: Last year I was close to being considered, however I was not selected and this year I set out to prepare hard to achieve it and thank God I did.

Leo Apreda: I've been training very hard, both physically at the gym and surfing for many hours a day, and also watching videos of my favorite surfers.

What are your expectations for this World Cup?

Rachel Aguero: I hope to God I can leave the country's name at the top and try to bring home a victory.

Leo Apreda: My expectation is to focus on heat by heat and hopefully bring a medal back to Costa Rica.

As the father of this national talent, what does it mean to see your son on the national team?

Jonathan Aguero (Rachel's father): The feeling is very strong, it is a reward for the effort she makes in every training session and in every competition.

Erika Gatgens (Leo Apreda's mother): It's a mix of emotions, seeing your son struggle every day with functional training, getting up early to go surfing, all this being selected has been a reward and as a mother you feel great satisfaction.

What do you think of Leito's skill level despite his age?

Jonathan Aguero (Rachel's father): Rachel has improved a lot. We have to take into account that we only lived in Jacó beach two years ago. We were from the city, and thank God we have been able to have this adventure that we are carrying forward day by day.

Erika Gatgens (Leo's mother): Leito is only 12 years old and it's truly impressive to see the level he has. I hope he has a great future with work, effort and perseverance.

Written by: Enrique Hernández - Surfing Republica

Directed by: Marco Montero