Surfers in the ASA tournament for the year 1990.

Surfing Costa Rica - Photo Sebas Vega.

In this article, we present a photograph featuring historical figures of Costa Rican surfing, who were vital to what surfing is today. This image includes surfer and former president of the Surf Federation, Mr. José Ureña, who provides us with the full story behind it.

 

Where and in what year was this photo taken?

This event was organized by the Alajuela Surfing Association (ASA), which began holding events in 1988 and 1989. These events featured all the pioneers of Alajuela surfing: Mario Rodríguez, "Puppy" (Luis Corella), Ricardo Guevara, and many more. They were a generation that surfed before us. Most events took place at Playa Hermosa and Playa Jacó, and the tournaments were both national and international. However, this specific photo was taken in 1990.

Surfing Costa Rica - Photo Sebas Vega.

What's so special about this photo to you?

It's very special for me because it was the first event where I went from Junior to Open, and we were able to capture it in a photo. The event was great because the waves were really good and everyone was able to surf quality waves, and well, I did quite well and managed to win.

Surfing Costa Rica - Old Surf Photos.

Who appears in the photo?

In the photo I can remember, “Gory” (Marco Pacheco), who has been around almost his whole life, is from a much older generation than us. From Jacó are Álvaro Solano, Gustavo Castillo, and others, and from Puntarenas is “Caliente” (Christofer Jimenez) and a few more. Back then, there was a great rivalry between these two places. We from Jacó also raced for the Best Western hotel, which was the pioneering team here.

Surfing Costa Rica - Old Surf Photos.

What was the name of the tournament and who won the event?

The tournament was called “First Surf Friendship Tournament” and I personally managed to win the Open, which at that time was called Master. I think Gustavo Castillo or Álvaro Solano won in the Junior category, I don't remember exactly.

What types of awards were available at that time?

The prizes have always been trophies or medals; surfing has always been in an Olympic format, that is, for medals or trophies. We have not been able to have a sustainable league in Costa Rica with good economic prizes that could be called professional.

Surfing Costa Rica - Old Surf Photos.

What differences can you notice between the tournaments of that era and current tournaments?

I don't think it's that much. It was incredibly difficult for all of us to get to the tournaments. We traveled together. For example, when there were tournaments in Puntarenas, we surfers from Jacó had to take a bus from here to Orotina, then a train to the Barranca crossing, and then walk from there to wherever the event was. So it was simply a matter of having the desire and wanting to succeed; we've all been through that. As for accessories and platforms, I do think they're better nowadays than they were back then.

Surfing Costa Rica - Old Surf Photos.

The president of the Alajuela Surf Association (ASA) at that time, Mario Rodríguez, highlights the effort over so many years of “Mako” (Miguel Cordero), Rodrigo Orlich, Ricardo Guevara, Christofer Jimenez, Deiver Bert, Cassio Carvalho, José Ureña, Álvaro Solano, Gustavo Castillo, Matarrita, Marco Pacheco and Luis Corella.

Photograph by Sebastián Vega.

From left to right: Unidentified surfer, Christofer Jiménez (yellow shirt), Miguel Cordero (red shirt), Ricardo Guevara (yellow shirt), Delberth Bent (white shirt), unidentified surfer, unidentified surfer, José Ureña (white shirt), Marco Pacheco (blue shirt), Álvaro Solano (shirtless), unidentified surfer (shirtless in the back), Gustavo Castillo (blue shirt).

Written by: Enrique Hernández

General Management: Marco Montero