World Surfing Games El Salvador will award the last Olympic spots for Tokyo 2020.

The national pre-selection team, comprised of the best surfers in the country, is gathered in Guanacaste, eager to carry out the second training session prior to the World Surfing Games El Salvador 2021.

This world championship, which will be held between May 8 and 16, is of utmost importance, and the national team must arrive with a high level of performance, as this event will award the last Olympic spots for Tokyo 2020.

The national team is staying at the Gilded Iguana hotel and restaurant in Playa Nosara and from there they will divide their training sessions in different locations throughout the beautiful province of Guanacaste.

The preliminary roster currently in the North Pacific region of Costa Rica consists of: Leilani McGonagle, Lisbeth Vindas, Coral Wiggins, Slater Molina, Andreas Schneider, Anthony Fillingim, Esteban Chaves, Jason Torres, Jair Pérez, and Oscar Urbina. Carlos Muñoz and Maykol Torres were unable to join the group due to health reasons. The roster also includes several players who are currently outside of Costa Rica: Tomas King, Malakai Martínez, Brisa Hennessy, and Paulina Summers, whose attendance was prevented by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The national team is strictly following the health protocols for surfing, in order to be able to continue with all the necessary training.

“ This training has been very different from all the others. We've been running very different heats with situations that can arise in competition. All the men and women have been surfing very well, and I also feel great, thank God. The entire team at the Costa Rican Surfing Federation does an excellent job, and together with the National Olympic Committee, they've made all of this possible. I'm also very grateful to coach Jim Hogan and physical trainer Mario Rios. We're having a great time, and they've given us different and good challenges, both as a team and individually,” added Jair Pérez.

“We arrived on Tuesday in Nosara, at the Gilded Iguana hotel and restaurant, where they welcomed us with open arms, lending us all their facilities. It has been very enriching for all the athletes and the technical team, which this time included Alfredo Barquero for photos and videos, Mario Rios as physical trainer, and Jim Hogan. The idea behind these training sessions is to observe and get to know them better, while complying with all the protocols for surfing practice both at the facilities and on the beach,” stated Randall Chaves, president of the Costa Rican Surfing Federation.

Randall also states that in addition to looking for a suitable team for the world surfing championship, our country is looking to scout more athletes for the Central American and Pan American Games.

“Generally speaking, we are focused on reaching our maximum level and I am very happy with the group because there is a very nice atmosphere. For my part, I am very happy to be able to be in a pre-selection again and I am trying to give my best in case I am chosen to represent Costa Rica,” Jason Torres mentioned.

Another interesting fact about this call for pre-selection is the presence for the first time of Sleiter Molina, a local surfer from Playa Nosara, who has demonstrated a high level every time the National Circuit visits this area.

“ For me, it is a great motivation to have the opportunity to surf and learn from the best surfers in the country. It is a great experience and learning opportunity to continue achieving my goals as a surfer, since one of my goals is to represent Costa Rica with pride,” said Slater Molina.

Without a doubt, this is a great opportunity for this group of talented athletes who eagerly await the final call and to find out who will be chosen for our country's various international commitments.

Written by: Enrique Hernández

General Management: Marco Montero