A few years ago, not that many really, between five and 10, Central American surfing was dominated by Costa Rica and had some strong Panamanian talent. The rest of the countries were mere supporters in international events, whether ALAS, Pan American or ISA World Championships.

The world has changed, the region has changed and this has never been clearer than in this ALAS, the Gran Pacífica Cup that is being held in Playa Azuchillo, Nicaragua.

In all categories there is a Nicaraguan, a Guatemalan or a Salvadoran involved in the conversation for the final day… While a few years ago the countries mentioned were easily defeated in the qualifying rounds, today they are involved in the final day of the tournament in question. It is a process that has been brewing for years, these are countries that have favorable weather and an impressive abundance of waves and that had them for many years but it seemed that these conditions were not taken advantage of.

Now, it can finally be said that things have changed. This event is a clear testament to what has been described.

And the main beneficiaries of this are not only countries like Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua, but especially Costa Rica and Panama, and the region as a whole.

The synergy that is being created in Central America will generate champions in international leagues in the very near future. More than those who are already shining in international leagues.

They are all close, they all have good waves and they all compete frequently against each other. They will push the level of surfing in their region even further and will be on par with Peruvians and Chileans who have been achieving good international results for some time.

As I write these lines, competitors from all these countries are going to sleep, thinking and dreaming of winning the Nicaraguan ALAS. Among the finalists there are Costa Ricans, Nicaraguans, Salvadorans and Guatemalans.

Who knows, one of them may even win the championship in more than one category.

It is a change that is now becoming noticeable in the region and will soon be felt more internationally.

-Edition 2 of the DUKE newsletter of the Copa Gran Pacifica, stage 2 of the ALAS Pro Tour: https://dukesurf.com/edicion-2-del-informativo-duke-del-copa-gran-pacifica-etapa-2-del-alas-pro-tour/

-Some of the best morning waves at the Gran Pacifica Cup: https://dukesurf.com/some-of-the-best-morning-waves-at-the-gran-pacifica-cup/

-All about the Big Brother house of the Copa Gran Pacifica: https://dukesurf.com/all-about-the-big-brother-house-of-the-copa-gran-pacifica/

-Edition 1 of the DUKE newsletter of the Copa Costa Pacifica, stage 2 of the ALAS 2024 tour: https://dukesurf.com/edicion-1-del-informativo-duke-de-la-copa-costa-pacifica-etapa-2-del-tour-alas-2024/

-CHECK LIVE SCORES of the Copa Gran Pacifica here: https://dukesurf.com/check-live-scores-of-the-copa-gran-pacifica-here/

-Photos from the start of the Gran Pacifica Cup: https://dukesurf.com/las-fotos-del-comienzo-de-la-copa-gran-pacifica/

-Today's free surfing early in about forty photos: https://dukesurf.com/todays-free-surfing-early-in-about-forty-photos/

-The Gran Pacifica Cup and the hunger for championships in the region: https://dukesurf.com/la-copa-gran-pacifica-y-el-hambre-gigante-de-campeonatos-que-hay-en-hispanoamerica/

-Today's session in Azuchillo decoded in twenty photos: https://dukesurf.com/todays-session-in-azuchillo-decoded-in-twenty-photos/

-Gabriel Villarán launched a new YouTube channel that promises to be great: https://dukesurf.com/gabriel-villaran-launched-a-new-youtube-channel-that-promises-to-be-great/

-One by one these are the more than 150 registered for the Gran Pacifica Cup: https://dukesurf.com/one-by-one-these-are-the-more-than-150-registered-for-the-gran-pacifica-cup/

-The preview of the Gran Pacifica Cup in photos: https://dukesurf.com/la-previa-de-la-copa-gran-pacifica-en-fotos/

-Review and assessment of Paris 2024 and a look ahead to LA 2028 with Fernando Aguerre: https://dukesurf.com/repaso-y-balance-de-paris-2024-y-mirada-a-la-2028-con-fernando-aguerre/

-Noa Deane and Moana Jones won the Padang Padang Classic: https://dukesurf.com/noa-deane-and-moana-jones-won-the-padang-padang-classic/

-ALAS de Nicaragua already has more than 150 registered participants: https://dukesurf.com/alas-de-nicaragua-ya-tiene-mas-de-150-inscriptos/

-…Lost won the Vissla shaper ranking for the second consecutive year: https://dukesurf.com/lost-won-the-vissla-shaper-ranking-for-the-second-consecutive-year/

-Daniella was vice in the QS of Maresias; Nacho and Vera made the semis: https://dukesurf.com/daniella-fue-vice-en-el-qs-de-maresias-nacho-y-vera-hicieron-semis/

-Clay Marzo, Mason Ho and Parker Coffin at Kelly's Pool: https://dukesurf.com/clay-marzo-mason-ho-and-parker-coffin-at-kellys-pool/

-The police version: The surfer “obstructed the officer’s investigation”: https://dukesurf.com/belmar-police-version-surfer-obstructed-the-officer’s-investigation/

-Jair Pérez, coach of the Costa Rican team, semifinalist in the QS of Virginia: https://dukesurf.com/jair-perez-coach-del-team-tico-semifinalista-en-qs-de-virginia/

-Mitch Ross “nervous about John John competing at Trestles”: https://dukesurf.com/mitch-ross-nervous-about-john-john-competing-at-trestles/

-This is what the 2024 WSL Finals series will look like: https://dukesurf.com/this-is-what-the-2024-wsl-finals-series-will-look-like/

-Tatiana Weston Webb made it to the finals and closed the women's draw: https://dukesurf.com/tatiana-weston-webb-made-it-to-the-finals-and-closed-the-women's-draw/

-The five finalists have just been defined: Ewing and Ferreira in: https://dukesurf.com/the-five-finalists-ewing-and-ferreira-in-the-finals/

-The controversial score of the day: https://dukesurf.com/el-puntaje-polemico-de-la-jornada/

-Medina was left out of Fiji and the fight for the top 5: https://dukesurf.com/medina-se-quedo-afuera-de-fiji-y-de-la-pelea-por-el-top-5/

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