A Year of Momentum, Talent, and Rising Local Champions
Costa Rica held its ground on the world stage in 2025, finishing among the top ten surf nations at the ISA World Surfing Games and producing strong results across international and regional competitions. (Delfino)
At home, the Banco LAFISE National Surf Circuit delivered one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory, with rising youth talent pushing hard against established names.
The year showed something important about Costa Rican surfing: it’s no longer just about world-class waves drawing visitors. The country is steadily building a deep competitive culture, from young groms competing in national events to surfers representing the country on the global stage.
2025 wasn’t just another year — it felt like proof that Costa Rica’s surf culture is evolving into a powerful competitive pipeline where Pura Vida meets podium potential.
International Surf Presence & Events in 2025
One of the biggest moments locally came when Santa Teresa hosted the Banco LAFISE Santa Teresa Pro, part of the ALAS (Latin American Surf Tour).
The event drew more than 160 surfers from over 20 countries, bringing competitors from across Latin America as well as Europe and North America.
For the Santa Teresa community, the contest reinforced something locals have known for years:
this small beach town sits on waves that can host world-class competition.
International athletes competing alongside Costa Rican surfers create an exchange of styles, techniques, and perspectives that elevate the level of the sport locally.
Events like this continue to strengthen Santa Teresa’s reputation as one of the important surf destinations in Latin America.
Costa Rican Surf Stars Making Waves
Several Costa Rican surfers stood out during the 2025 season both internationally and regionally.
Darshan Antequera continued to establish himself as one of the country’s top international competitors, finishing 16th at the ISA World Surfing Games and posting strong results across regional events. (larepublica.net)
Leilani McGonagle delivered one of the strongest performances for the Costa Rican team at the ISA World Surfing Games, finishing 13th overall in the women’s division, one of the highest placements among Latin American surfers. (Delfino)
Sam Reidy also had a major year, representing Costa Rica internationally while dominating the national competitive scene.
Together, these surfers continue to raise Costa Rica’s profile on the international stage.
Youth & Future Talent
Perhaps the most exciting story of 2025 is the strength of Costa Rica’s next generation.
Surfers like Romeo Stone, Carden Jagger, and Amets Garai represented the country in junior international events, competing against the best young surfers in the world.
Closer to home, Santa Teresa celebrated one of its own rising stars.
Dencell Reyes, a surfer from Santa Teresa, captured the 2025 Costa Rica National Surf Circuit Championship in the Junior Sub-18 division, marking a major milestone in his young career.
Reyes also represented Costa Rica at the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, confirming that the Nicoya Peninsula continues to produce some of the country’s most promising surf talent.
With young surfers pushing the limits at earlier ages, Costa Rica’s competitive future looks brighter than ever.
International Surf Scene — The Global Breakers
Across the global surf scene, 2025 remained fiercely competitive.
At the ISA World Surfing Games in El Salvador, Costa Rica finished 10th overall among 61 nations, placing the country among the top surf programs in the world. (Delfino)
The strongest individual performances for Costa Rica included:
- Leilani McGonagle — 13th place
- Darshan Antequera — 16th place
- Sam Reidy — Top 25 finish
These results placed Costa Rica among the top Latin American surf nations, competing alongside powerhouse programs like Brazil and Peru.
Meanwhile, the ISA World Junior Championship continued to showcase the next wave of international talent, with countries such as Spain, Australia, and the United States producing standout performances.
Regional & Continental Success
Costa Rica also delivered strong results at the South American Surf Championship in Chicama, Peru.
The national team finished fourth overall among nine countries, with several podium finishes across divisions. (larepublica.net)
Highlights included:
- Sam Reidy — Gold medal, Open Men
- Koa Bryant — Bronze medal, Sub-14
- Mikela Castro — Bronze medal, Sub-12
- Lía Díaz — Bronze medal, Women’s Longboard
- José Ruiz — Bronze medal, Men’s Longboard
These results reinforced Costa Rica’s growing strength across multiple surf disciplines.
Costa Rica’s National Surf Circuit
Back home, the Banco LAFISE National Surf Circuit remained the backbone of competitive surfing in Costa Rica.
The season unfolded across iconic surf breaks including Santa Teresa, Jacó, Guiones, and Playa Hermosa, drawing hundreds of competitors from across the country.
The 2025 national champions included:
Open Men: Sam Reidy
Open Women: Rachel Agüero
Junior Sub-18 Men: Dencell Reyes
Junior Sub-18 Women: Erika Berra
Sub-16 Champion: Amets Garai
Multiple Youth Titles: Mikela Castro
The circuit showcased the depth of Costa Rican surfing, where experienced professionals compete alongside rising junior athletes in a highly competitive national environment.
The Big Picture
Looking back, 2025 wasn’t defined by a single moment or victory.
Instead, it was a year that highlighted the strength of Costa Rica’s entire surf ecosystem:
- International athletes representing the country abroad
- Regional medals and strong team performances
- A thriving national circuit
- And a new generation of surfers rising through the ranks
From Santa Teresa to Playa Hermosa, from junior heats to international competitions, Costa Rica continues to prove that its surf culture is not just about beautiful beaches — it’s about talent, dedication, and a community deeply connected to the ocean.
And if 2025 is any indication, the next wave of Costa Rican champions is already paddling out.
Perfect. A small local spotlight box works beautifully in a newspaper layout — it pulls the big international story back onto the sand right under people’s feet. Something readers in Santa Teresa will instantly connect with.
Here’s a clean sidebar you can drop anywhere in the article layout.
🏄♂️ Santa Teresa Spotlight
Local Surfer Dencell Reyes Wins National Junior Title
In a year that saw Costa Rican surfers competing around the world, Santa Teresa celebrated a champion of its own.
Local surfer Dencell Reyes captured the 2025 Costa Rica National Surf Circuit Championship in the Junior Sub-18 division, marking one of the most important achievements of his young career. https://www.facebook.com/reel/2821122744922598
Reyes grew up surfing the powerful beach breaks of Santa Teresa and Playa Carmen, waves known for shaping surfers with quick reflexes, strong paddling, and fearless style. Those same waves have produced a long list of talented surfers over the years, and Reyes now joins that growing legacy.
Following his national title, Reyes also represented Costa Rica at the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, competing against some of the best young surfers on the planet.
His victory is a reminder that Santa Teresa isn’t just a destination surfers travel to — it’s a place where champions are being raised in the lineup every day.
And if the next generation of groms charging down the beach each morning is any indication, the future of Costa Rican surfing is already paddling out.
