The Latin American Association of Professional Surfers (ALAS) has just announced on its website a new stage, which will possibly be the last of 2018, in the waves of El Tunco, El Salvador, between November 9 and 11.

The event, the press release details, would be three stars for open men and two stars for women, youth and longboards.

“It is an honor to return to El Salvador for the 16th anniversary of the ALAS Tour,” said the president of the association, Peruvian Karin Sierralta.  “The seed of what is now the tour was planted in this Central American country 20 years ago. We have a lot to thank, first of all our friend Chute (Francis Hasbun), Jimmy Rotherham and his family, and Jaime Delgado (organizer of the upcoming event). I am happy to return to the perfect waves of El Salvador, my second home.”

Jaime “Papaya” Delgado, the event organizer of this Central American country rich in waves, spoke about the upcoming tournament and the importance of surfing championships in his country: “Thanks to the ALAS events, surfing and the economy of the area where the competition takes place are reactivated. With promotion in the media, live broadcasts and with athletes visiting us from other places in the world, places like Las Flores and El Sunzal have become known.”

“For example, in Las Flores, after two consecutive events, hotel investors began arriving shortly after and have generated more jobs for local people,” he added.

“The competitions not only benefit the commercial sector, but also national athletes benefit from cash prizes and training to increase their competitive level. This year we hope to once again count on the support of the government of El Salvador, since surfing is a pole for development and tourism promotion for the country,” he concluded.

Although La Bocana is divided in both directions, the left predominates and this is a rarity in El Salvador, a paradise for right-wingers.

It is a mouth with a rocky bottom. Depending on the direction of the swell, it creates tubes and various sections for maneuvering.