| February Surf Report |
by Huw Lewis
Congratulations are due to Zihuatanejo’s own National Surfing Champion, Ana Scales, who came second in an international field during the Festival de Colotepec Surf tournament, in challenging 6 to 8 foot waves at Oaxaca’s Puerto Escondido. The competition, organised by former champ Raul Noyola, was narrowly won by Mariné Laripa of Argentina, with local Brandi White in third. This was probably the first time an amateur women’s surf competition has been held in Mexico in such heavy conditions, with double overhead waves making barrel riding skills critical to winning points, and impressive performances all round. Ana will be contesting her title at Nationals in Sayulita in February.
The weekend of the 17th and 18th of January saw the Guerrero State Surfing Championships held at Playa Linda, Ixtapa, for the second time. Competitors were fighting it out for a place in the national tournament in February, with the top placed surfers from each category going on to represent Guerrero. Winners of Nationals will represent Mexico in the World Surfing Games in Ecuador in March, incentive for some real competition. Opened dramatically by torrential rain and black skies, the weekends’ unseasonable storm provided an impressive backdrop to some great surfing, and kept conditions glassy all through day one’s heats. Organised by Ivan Fernandez, owner of El Tunel bar, the favourite hangout of local and visiting surfers in Zihua, and Alvaro Rodriguez Sanchez, the contest ran smoothly all weekend, with a large crowd turning out to catch some spectacular displays of surfing. An average swell also turned up for the occasion, with some just about overhead sets providing a decent competitive arena. Day two saw the semis and the finals take place in unfortunately deteriorating conditions. An onshore wind blew up around midday, effectively closing the wave out for the afternoon. The quality of competition rose to the occasion however with some solid hits and big airs scoring highly. At least six of Zihua’s best surfers made it through to the finals, so good luck to all of them at Nationals...
Results: (at least, the ones we could find out...)
Shortboard - Roberto Barrera, Axel Cruz, Alan Blythe
Women’s Shortboard - Ana Isabel Scales
Longboard - Leonel Perez (Catcha la Ola, Ixtapa), Manuel Rios, Ivan Fernandez (Bar El Tunel)
Masters - El Garrobo, Leonel Perez, El Gato
Junior - Josue Trujillo
Bodyboard -Carlos Carbajal, Boris Duenas
Thanks to all the sponsors of the event for their invaluable contributions, including: Bar El Tunel, Catcha La Ola Surf Shop, Anfibios Surf Shop and Club Zen
February 2004 |
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