Discovering Surf Talents

The 7th annual Discovering Surf Talents Levis Cup, brought over 50 young surfers from around the country, to Playa Serena in Coronado. The event, originally scheduled for the 18th & 19th of October, was proponed as there was no swell. The waves predicted for the following weekend (October 25&26) were small, ranging from 1-3ft, but learning to compete in unfavorable conditions is one of the many challenges competitive surfers face; with this in mind, the event went on.The first day of competition began with a reminder from Technical Director, Stanford Raúl. “It is not the quantity, but the quality waves” he said. This means, judges score the best maneuvers, not the numeber of waves each surfer rides. Playacommunity was on the sidelines as young compeitiors Veronica, Marita, Maria, Andrea and Vivian took to the water. All under the age of 12, each girl raced to the water with a smile. The younger of the compeitiors were accompanyed by a parent or coach. 

The overall winner of the competition was Isauro Elizondo, Santa Catalina local, placing first in three categories.  The event gained media coverage by NextTV, through which many participants wished Panama’s national surf team luck, as they competed in the ISA world championship in Peru.

The two-day event came to an end and minimal garbage was left behind, despite the large crowd that had been in attendance. When we spoke with Gianni Tunon, DST surf instructor, we were pleasantly surprised to hear why.

Discovering Surf Talents strives not only to support youth in the sport of competitive surfing, but also to teach environmental responsibility and respect for the ocean. “By participating in DST events or taking lessons from one of our certified instructors, youth learn how to surf competitively yes, but also to respect the ocean, keep the beach clean, and the importance of good sportsmanship.” Gianni explained.

Gianni teaches surf lessons in Coronado, Gorgona and San Carlos weekly to students surfing at levels that range from beginner to advanced. He says he can begin instruction at any age, but the optimal age to start is usually around 5 years. At any age aspiring surfers will learn to be mindful of the seafloor before entering the water, identifying the reef, rocks or sand below, how to handle riptides, and other important ocean familiarity skills.

Other courses offered by DST include a lifesaving course by Sinaproc and ISA surf instructor certification. For more information on DST events and classes and courses contact Gianni Tunon at 6247-8874 or Stanford Raúl 6070-4692.