“I want to be an ALAS champion and seek an Olympic spot in the Pan American Games and represent Costa Rica in Paris 2024.”

A talented young man from the Costa Rican South Caribbean, a boy who has shown over the years that the level is there and all he needs are opportunities to demonstrate it.

Óscar Urbina is one of the surfers of the new generation of athletes from Puerto Viejo who are pushing hard to be at the highest national and international level, as he has demonstrated in the last commitments, winning the championship of reactivation of Costa Rican surfing, in addition to the second place in the first stop of the ALAS Pro Tour 2022 and his most recent result, the third place in the big wave tournament.

In this article, the Caribbean athlete tells us more about his plans for this year and how he has been preparing for a year that will be fundamental to fulfilling a possible Olympic dream.

How did you prepare for this first ALAS event?

For this ALAS competition, I prepared in various ways. Mentally, I always maintained a positive mindset, focused on reaching the final and winning. I kept telling myself I could do it and that I would. I also focused on having fun and showcasing my surfing skills. Strategically, my focus was on a variety of maneuvers, power surfing, and critical aerials to achieve a good score with the judges. I trained at the competition venue and also took the time to visualize my potential opponents.

How has your preparation been overall, without being able to participate in as many tournaments to get some experience?

Physically I don't train as much as I could, but mentally I've been very focused. My discipline stems from a love of sport and art, so every time I surf I try to enjoy it to the fullest and push myself in the same way.





What is life like for a surfer in Puerto Viejo?

We stay really active because there are no tides in Puerto Viejo, so you can surf anytime. But when flat season comes, when there are no waves, there's not much to do. You might just try to make the most of the waves at some nearby spots where something might pick up, or when flat season arrives, I have to head to the Pacific to keep training and focus on surfing.

What are your competitive goals for 2022?

My goals for 2022 are to compete in the ALAS Games and win the championship so I can qualify for the Pan American Games and then the Olympics. I'm also focused on making the Costa Rican national team to achieve my Olympic dream.

What's next for Óscar Urbina in terms of projects or tournaments?

This year, my goal is to hire a coach to help me improve my skills and refine my technique. I'll focus not only on surfing but also on developing more discipline outside the water to enhance my performance in competitions. I also plan to find more sponsors to help me achieve my goals this year and in the years to come.

Written by: Enrique Hernández