Circuito Nacional Costa Rica Banco Lafise 2025 Debuts with Great Momentum at Playa Cieneguita
The Circuito Nacional de Surf Costa Rica Banco Lafise 2025 made its debut at the Copa Limón Ciudad de la Vida the weekend of February 14th, 15th and 16th, and it was a huge success. National athletes and their families flocked to Playa Cieneguita, located on the country’s Caribbean coast in Limon. Significantly, the cultural ambience lent good vibes through a weekend of pumping waves and energetic performances. The Federation of Surf Costa Rica is the driving force behind the National Surfing Circuit and Banco Lafise joins them as the major sponsor this year, among a slew of others.
New Categories Added to the National Surfing Circuit
Adaptive Surfing
For the first time since 2017, the Circuito Nacional Costa Rica, has added an Adaptive Surfing category. Actually, it was included in the 2020 Circuito as well, which was interrupted by the pandemic that year. Both Natalia Vindas and Baldir Vallejos rose to the occasion at Playa Cieneguita. Notably, both athletes have outstanding accolades on the national and international level. “Naty”, as her friends call her, was the actual first female to compete for Costa Rica and win a medal at the ISA World Para Surfing Championships. As a result, she won the bronze medal in 2017 in the Prone Category in the prestigious event, held at La Jolla, California that year.
Both Baldir and Naty have competed in multiple ISA Worlds Games. In 2021, they were two of the competing athletes comprising Costa Rica’s National Para Surfing Team that competed in Pismo Beach. Individually, Natalia placed fifth and Baldir earned a Copper medal for his category Stand 2. Interestingly, Vallejos was on his way to a gold medal, but an interference call resulted in the loss of a wave score.
That year, Costa Rica finished in fourth overall as a Team, bringing home the Copper medal. This was undoubtedly the result of outstanding performances and team spirit, including gold medals for Roy Calderon and Jimena Ruiz. Furthermore, Dariel Melendez and “Juan Ma” Camacho earned bronze medals in their respective categories. With four more dates on the Circuito Nacional 2025 to go, hopefully more talented adaptive surfers will sign up for their share of the waves and fun. As Naty is quick to point out, “The ocean is for everyone.” Surfing included.
Kahuna and SUP Categories added to the Mix
In addition to Adaptive Surfing, this year’s categories on the National Surfing Circuit have expanded to also include Masters, Kahuna, Grand Kahuna, and SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard). The extra categories have drawn well-known and loved favorites from years past including, but not limited to, Gilbert Brown, Alvaro Solano and Jorge Fallas. Both Brown and Fallas hail from the Caribbean Coast. Alvara Solano, a Jaco native and former Open National Champion, won the men’s Kahuna heat. Formerly the 2019 SUP National Champion, Alvaro believes it is a good addition to the National Circuit for the growth of the sport.
Both Gilbert Brown and Jorge Fallas won their respective heats of the Master and Grand Kahuna categories. Lisbeth Vindas of Jaco, former 13-time National Champion, won the Women’s Master category, falling short of making the final for Open Women.
Mikela Castro Bolivar Takes Charge across Five Categories
Mikela Castro Bolivar at just ten years old took charge of many heats in her former stomping grounds of Limon. The young surfer who is also a role model to up and coming surfer girls won the Junior Women, Girls and Mini-Grommets Finals. Additionally, Mikela placed second in Grommets and had a fifth-place finish in the Open Women category. Competing in five categories is pretty much unheard of in any surfing competition which makes Mikela’s performances even more impressive.
Mikela’s dad, Mike, and her mom, Esmeralda, are very much involved in both Mikela’s and son Axel Castro’s surfing. Not only is the young Limon native grateful for their support, but also the support of the locals. After her heats, don’t be surprised to find Mikela congratulating fellow surfers on their performances with an embrace. Her Pura Vida vibes extend beyond the competitive atmosphere in heats. To youth be the strength of tomorrow.
Next up, Santa Teresa
Without a doubt, Copa Limón Ciudad de la Vida was a huge success for its amazing surfing performances and a lot of stoke, both in and out of the water. The culture of the Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, its “gente,” and the presence of Nationals and their families combined for a debut of great momentum for the Circuito Nacional 2025. The addition of new categories, like Adaptive Surfing and the Masters, Kahuna, Grand Kahuna and SUP have added a more inclusive characteristic to the Circuit. To repeat what Naty Vindas said, ” The ocean is for everyone.”
The next contest on deck is the Santa Teresa Pro and registration is open. It will take place on March 14th through the 16th. You can register with the Federation of Surf Costa Rica at this link until March 10th.
Congratulations to all the finalists and participants at the first contest of the 2025 National Surfing Circuit in Playa Cieneguita, Limon. For a complete list of finishers and rankings, check it out here.
Thank you to John Duran and the Federation of Surf Costa Rica for the use of photos for this post.
Source: Federation of Surf Costa Rica
