In Playa Hermosa yesterday, Noemar McGonagle was crowned the Quiksilver King of the Groms in Costa Rica for 2012. The 15-year old surfing prodigy had an easy day at the beach yesterday, according to sports news daily Al Dia.

The Pavones native will now advance to the next round of the 2012 Quiksilver King of the Groms in Acapulco in July. Should young McGonagle take the crown in Acapulco as well, he will represent Costa Rica at the final in France later this year.

This is the second year in a row that McGonagle comes away a winner at the local King of the Groms tournament. He dominated this year with a very aggressive style, trying out for aerial maneuvers at every occasion. At the tournament, a fan asked him “What’s your secret?”, to which McGonagle calmly responded “Power Surfing.”

A Surfing Family

McGonagle’s young sister, Leilani, is also a Tica surfer of certain stature. She is a member of the Roxy surfing team, and earlier today she signed autographs along with Tica pop star Debi Nova at the Mango Surf and Skate Shop in Jaco.

Noemar’s father, Sean McGonagle, is his coach. He told Al Dia that this tournament was crucial for his son to either keep following his advice or come away on his own.

” We currently at that stage when he will have to figure things out on his own, because we are now beginning to see him as a pro.” In Costa Rica, Noemar is used to competing against high-caliber surfers like Carlos Munoz, Luis Vindas and Jason Torres.

The McGonagle family knows that the real challenge awaits Noemar in Mexico, since if he advances to France he hopes to do better than last year. He was injured prior to traveling to France for the 2011 Quiksilver King of the Groms final heats, and as a result he was eliminated in the first round.

Noemar isn’t the only Tico going to Mexico. Second-place surfer Kevin Montiel will also represent Costa Rica at the tournament.