The dates and venues for the 18th edition of the “Kölbi” National Surf Tournament were released by the Costa Rica Surf Federation and it brings some changes in relation to previous editions.

The circuit will carry out through seven dates:

January 27 and 28: Dominical (South Pacific)
February 24 and 25: Puerto Viejo (Caribbean)
March 17 and 18: Avellanas (Guanacaste)
April 14 and 15: Santa Teresa (Puntarenas)
May 26 and 27: Bejuco (Puntarenas)
June 23 and 24: Jaco (Puntarenas)
July 27,28 and 29: Hermosa (Puntarenas)

The tournament this year included Avellanas in Santa Cruz, Guanacaste, a beach that had not been included in over 12 years. Playa Bejuco is another novelty in this year’s edition.

The event will be live streamed with the objective of reaching more and more people and getting them to understand and follow this sport. In 2017 the Surf Federation had reports of over 40,000 people following the tournament.
Taping of the events will also serve as a training tool for the competitors to improve their technique.\

With surfing now as part of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 each tournament is of great importance for the athletes that want to be part of this historic event representing Costa Rica. The ISA games, the Panamerican games and the World Championship Tour (WCT) are all goals that Costa Rican surfers are aiming to participate in to gain experience and points.

“We just came back from Nicaragua with brilliant results delivered by a great team. Each member of the national team now understands the importance of being part of this Olympic cycle, and the “Kölbi” National Surf Tournament is where the route to Tokyo begins”, stated Randall Chaves, President of the Surf Federation.

The participating categories are the same as in previous years, a total of 9 (Open, Female Open, Junior, Female Junior, Boys U16, Girls U16, Grommet U14 and Minigrommet U12 male and female).

The Federation also informed all the Surf Associations that the period to nominate athletes for the scholarship to be part of the tournament is now open. The scholarship includes the payment of membership, registration fees, food, transportation fees, and new costume made surf boards.

Registration for the first date of the circuit to take place in Dominical will open in January through the website www.SurfingCr.net.