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Juan Ashton had an impressive showing in qualifying for both Masters and Grand Masters categories and employing equipment that was tailor-made for the conditions on hand.

Isabela local, Joe Suarez, came to win on similar equipment, but despite a good display of talent could not qualify for the ISA event.

And the crowd goes wild!

Gustavo Betancourt threw his weight around (and lots of water) in qualifying for the Masters category of competition.

Another competitor that was showing fine form in qualifying for the team was Hector González.

Low tide Aviones is always good for some adventure on the reef.

In the Grand Kahuna category no one could touch Javier Gorbea, who floated his way right onto the team and a trip to Panamá.

Another Kahuna who’ll make the trip and hope for a big swell at Santa Catalina was Isla Verde’s own Alberto Licha.

The always-enthusiastic Maru Torres was on hand to help the FSPR staff make this event a total success.

Grand Masters competitor, Dicky Villanueva, took it to Aviones and will represent Puerto Rico in Panamá.

Between heats it was just another day at the beach for the Villanueva family.

It’s hard to believe that Pablo “Pache” Diaz is old enough to compete in Masters events, but getting old happens to everyone.

Just another beautiful day in paradise.

Gustavo Betancourt charging on his backside with style.

To the victor goes the… Medalla shower!

Gustavo and Juan, competitors and teammates.

Juan Palerm, at far right, addresses the qualifiers for the Puerto Rico Masters team. They are, from left; Dicky Villanueva, Hector González, Alberto Licha, Javier Gorbea, Gustavo Betancourt, and Juan Ashton.

Photos by Sara Diaz-Velarde

This past Saturday, June 26^th, Puerto Rico’s best over 35 surfers met on the beaches of Piñones for a friendly contest to decide who would make the trip to Santa Catalina, Panamá at the end of August to compete on the national team in the ISA World Masters Championships.

Run by the new directive of the Federación de Surfing de Puerto Rico (FSPR), the event went off without a hitch and was blessed with very contestable surf conditions for this time of year with easterly wind swell creating waves of 3 – 5 feet at the renowned peak known as Aviones.

“This was a great event for our federation,” said Juan Palerm, FSPR President, “and I think we have a team that can make a serious run at the World Championships in Panamá.  With surfers like two-time ISA Masters Champion, Juan Ashton, bringing the always important experience to our team, we also count on surfers in each category of competition who know how to charge waves like the ones we hope to find at Santa Catalina.”

According to ISA regulations each team will be composed of two competitors in the Masters, Grand Masters, and Kahuna categories, and one competitor in the Grand Kahuna category.

Surf Caribe salutes the FSPR for their tireless work in promoting surfing at every age level here in Puerto Rico and wishes the Masters team the best of luck in Panamá.  Stay tuned to Surf Caribe for more coverage of the ISA event as it happens in August and September.

Results

 Masters 

Juan Ashton

Gustavo Betancourt

Grand Masters

Juan Ashton

Dicky Villanueva

Kahuna

Hector González

Alberto Licha

Grand Kahuna

Javier Gorbea