Costa Rica Surfing

Costa Rica Will Host World Surfing Games, January 23, 2009
Costa Rica was recently selected to host and organize the World Surfing Games, Open Category, from July 31 to August 9, 2009, according to the International Surf Association (ISA).The country beat out countries like Brazil and South Africa, two renowned surf destinations. The tournament will take place in Hermosa Beach, in Jacó; it was named Billabong World Surfing Games Costa Rica 2009, whose main sponsor will work with a budget of $2 million to handle the logistics of an event of such scope. Hermosa Beach was chosen by the ISA because of its consistent surf and proximity to downtown Jacó, a city which has the adequate infrastructure to host so many people.José Ureña, the president of the Costa Rica Surf Federation, explains the magnitude of this tournament for Costa Rican business.“Hosting the World Open is the best thing that can happen to a country for surf and for tourist promotion because of the millions of people that will attend the competition,” said the national wave expert.His words ring true: the ISA estimates that for every event at least 80 million people follow the event live via Internet, which is something that will boost Costa Rica’s surfing image.The role that Costa Rican surfers have overseas, also helped the country to bring the event to Costa Rica.