Longboards
Rule The Day in Costa Rica At The ISA Games
Bonga Perkins : photo Watts/ISA
Big board performances became a key factor
in their nations standing as the Longboard
division opened today at the Billabong ISA
World Surfing Games fueled by Monster
Energy. Under cloudy skies, sometimes
pouring rain and choppy, shifting beachbreak,
the big favorites along with a few small
determined dark horses advanced to the next
round in the most difficult conditions yet.
Underdogs like New Zealand and Venezuela who
already have surfers qualified through to
the next round, kept them competitive with
advancing longboarders. Venezuela's team
gathered as a group every time they had a
heat in the water, chanting, cheering and
waving their flags like men possessed.
“The enthusiasm from the Venezuelan team is
so motivating,” said Ronald Reyes. “The
support from my coach and my country makes a
big difference.”
Big surf powerhouses Hawaii, Australia,
France and the USA all placed Longboard team
members into the next round, making up for
costly losses inflicted yesterday. Both
Hawaiians Kekoa Uemura and Bonga Perkins
advanced to the next round after Hawaii lost
two of its stars in Tuesday's final
eliminations elevating them into 3rd place
with 16,960 points.
The Americans and Australians also advanced
both their longboarders, and are in a first
place deadlock with 19,080 points each.
France was helped hugely by early wins from
both their Longboard teammates, but South
Africa and Costa Rica were hurt when their
men did not make the cut. Brazil and Costa
Rica are neck and neck with 15,890 and
15,640 respective points.
Unexpected wins from complete dark horses
were still a frequent result in the
repercharge heats. The Great Britain got
both their men through, and surprise
chargers like Tahiti and Argentina are also
qualified. Bombshell surprise Mexico blasted
through two repercharges and still fighting
to make the next round.
“The deciding factor for me was doing some
really big floaters” said Tzabui Poo, from
Mexico. “Earlier I was falling when I tried
them, but in this heat I went big and landed
them!” The biggest upset of the day was
Dieter Gerards from Cologne, Germany, who
made it through round 1 and 2 of the main
event.
“I'm really amazed that I was able to beat
to Brazil and Tahiti,” said a still stunned
Gerards. “Ten minutes went by without a wave
late in the heat - but I stayed calm,
waiting for the waves and watching the other
surfers very carefully. When a good wave
finally came my way I just tried to do put
it all together,” said Gerards.
Despite the fact that 15 countries are
already out of the running and another 10
have very slim chances, enthusiasm is
running wild for individuals still advancing
in the contest.
“When I came out of the water my teammates
said to me that it had won and couldn't
believe it,” said a super-stoked Gerards. “I
can't believe it! It is really total
madness! Now I am going to call my family
and friends in Germany, to tell them what
happened!”
The contest will be web LIVE everyday at
BillabongISAWorldGames.com.
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