The holiday season in Costa Rica brings many good things for everyone to enjoy. The weather is great across the country and there are parades, carnivals, shopping bonanzas, etc. On the Pacific coast, the surf at this time of the year is spectacular, which is why the 2014 Olympus National Surf Circuit is taking place right now in Playa Bejuco, south of Jaco Beach.

The sets at Playa Bejuco have been perfect for the competing surfers. The first heats of the competition for the Dunkelvolk Cup were dominated by Maykol Torres, a perseverant young surfer who triumphed over favorites such as Noe Mar McGonagle from Pavones. In fact, the four finalists at the heats for the Dunkelvolk Cup had never before been in a final, which means that the initiative of getting more young people interested in competitive surfing in Costa Rica is definitely working.

According to a report by Gabriel Vargas of daily newspaper La Nacion, Maykol Torres succeeded by focusing on taking advantage of the best waves in each set.

At least one Jaco Beach native was able to please the local crowds with a victory. As expected, reigning champion Lisbeth Vindas once again proved why she is one of the best surfers Costa Rica has ever seen. Although she is a favorite to take the Olympus tournament, winning the first event in the Women’s Open was particularly special since she was surfing in her backyard and had support from the locals. She had to battle fellow Jaco Beach native Leilani McGonagle to take the cup.

In the longboard category, Anthony Flores took first place.

This year’s Olympus Surf Circuit actually has less competitors than in previous years. The current maximum allotment of surfers is 140, down from 156 last year. This was decided by event organizers to compensate during times when the surf is not cooperating. The next stop of the circuit will be at Playa Cocles in Puerto Viejo de Limon for the Limecoral Caribbean Classic on January 25^th and 26^th.