Luis Vindas finally joined his sister up on the winner’s podium as Costa Rica’s national surfing champion.
Luis and Lisbeth Vindas, of the central Pacific beach of Jacó, won Costa Rica’s surfing national championships on accumulated points after the season’s final contest at La Curva in nearby Playa Hermosa this weekend. Luis earned his first-ever national surf championship, while his sister picked up her eighth title.
After not scoring high enough to qualify for Sunday’s final, Luis watched from shore as his closets challengers Carlos Muñoz and Gilbreth Brown stumbled – allowing Luis Vindas to stay atop the rankings and earn the crown. In his fifth year on the circuit, Luis collected his first national title. He was runner-up in 2008. His sister also faltered in the event’s final rounds. However, so did her closest competitor Nataly Bernard, resulting in Lisbeth picking up another title.
“The truth is that today was the most nerve-wracking day of my life, because this morning I thought maybe the title I dreamed of for many years had gone away,” Luis Vindas said in a release. “Now I am very happy that I am able to say that I am national champion of Costa Rica.”
Naturally, Luis dedicated the award to his family. Defending champion Muñoz finished second overall in the men’s championship, while also winning the junior national championship. Jason Torres finished third with 2008 champ Brown landing in fourth in the final standings.
Waves were around one to two meters high Sunday. The competition started at 1 p.m. with about 1,500 fans on hand, according to the Costa Rica Surf Federation. Lisbeth beat out Bernold and U.S. competitor Jordan Hundley for her win. Hundley won the junior championship. Bernold was initially announced as champion before a recount corrected the scores.
Lisbeth Vindas said she was thrilled to score one more title this year. But she said after the win that although she will continue surfing, she also plans to spend more time with her husband and family.
