Justin Hague, founder, and commissioner of the locally organized Semana Santa Classic has hosted this surf contest for 8 years with the beneficiaries always being the local lifeguards.
Of the many highly entertaining events that occur in Dominical annually, the Semana Santa Classic is the one contest that nites the roots and culture of Dominical’s surf community. In this occasion, any surfer who wanted to participate was welcome. The local business helped in sponsoring the contest with the proceeds going to the Costa Ballena Life Guards. It’s a “feel good” event on the last holiday weekend of the Costa Rican summer. Local families and visitors set up shade tents and BBQs beach-side while local DJs play reggae keeping the vibes high. Seemingly typical of Semana Santa, the waves were again big creating a lot of excitement in the water and on the beach for the participants as well as spectators.

Attracted by the cash prize and the laid- back contest feel, many of Costa Rica’s top surfers also come out to join the fun. Here, local surfers are matched up against Costa Rica’s top pros putting their skills to the test. There are also categories for “Locals only”, Women, Groms, and Masters. Costa Rica’s Carlos Munoz swept the open category reminding us what pro-level surfing is all about. Many locals were also ripping. Ethen Hollander shined winning the locals category against some of Dominical’s best. Local surfers taking 1st place in their division included Greg Gordon, Gabrielle Guyon, Elena Vargas, and Kian Ashara. Other notables were locals Jordy Mendez, Spencer Thomas and Josue Venegas who are standouts anytime they enter the water.

Semana Santa Classic 2019 Surf Contest

By Trevor Brown

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