Puerto Rico is ready for the Masters

sábado, 29 de março de 2008

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 29 March, 2008 : - - Last year’s local team and runner up in the first edition of the annual ISA World Masters Surfing Championship, Puerto Rico is now in Peru looking to repeat or improve their great results. From March 31 until April 5 they will compete against 17 other National teams in the perfect waves of Punta Rocas.

Puerto Rico proved to be tough competition as locals, and this year they will be challenged to prove themselves in foreign waters. In 2007, the legendary “boricuas” surfers Juan Ashton and Alberto Licha were both medal winners. Surfer Juan Ashton won the Gold Medal in the Masters while teammate Alberto Licaha secured the Bronze Medal in the Grand Masters. Both teammates are here in Peru, and they will be under the spotlight in both events.
The full Puerto Rico team includes:

Masters
Juan Ashton
Gustavo Bettancourt

Grand Masters
Alberto Licha
Stephen Bradley

Kahunas
Michael Torres
Victor Torres

Grand Kahunas
René Gonzalez

Master ladies
Becky Taylor

Jorge Gonzalez, Vice President of the Puerto Rican Surfing Federation, said, “All the surfers have a great surfing experience, I think that the long and strong waves of Punta Rocas are a lot like the good days in Arecibo, Aguadilla or Rincon, so we have a good advantage here. Anyway, the cold waters and the need to wear wetsuits is not something we’re used to.”

Gonzalez added, “Alberto Licha, someone that previously won a contest in Punta Rocas, was in a great shape and attitude but had a little accident, hurting his ankle during the big swell that hit our island last week.”

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