The Annual Pitaya Festival was held at Playa Hermosa on the 15th of March, and per usual there was a pretty solid turn out of people. The ‘Earthship Pitaya Festival’ is a weeklong event that begins with activities around San Juan Del Sur such as a swing party, open mic, and live saxophone music. It culminates with the music festival at Playa Hermosa, which includes a line up stacked with live music and international DJ’s.
In recent years a surf competition has been incorporated into the festival on the Friday and Saturday of the week, as a great way to incorporate and honor the surf culture of the town. This year things went a step further, and it was decided that the competition would be considered the first official event of the Nicaraguan National circuit.
The level at which competitive surfing has developed in the country over recent years truly is phenomenal, as young Nicaraguans are setting the bar high – including the chicas! Surfers from all over the country came to compete, but it was San Juanenos who took home the trophies in all categories (Juancito – sub-18, Rex Calderon – men’s open, Pedro Flores – longboard). The boys surfed great, but as we are Chica Brava, and a sponsor of the contest, we are of course much more interested in the girls competition!
The women’s open, was indeed, quite interesting. First of all, there were a handful of competitors, which is really exciting for the development of women’s competitive surfing in Nicaragua. Last year there were two heats of four women each. This year there were three heats, a semi finals, and a final heat, with fourteen total competitors. The big buzz of the Pitaya contest wasn’t the boys, but instead two young girls from Popoyo who stole the show. Of Argentinian background, but raised in North Nicaragua, these little chicas have probably spent more of their life in the ocean then out of it, and they rip!
Candelaria and Valentina Resano are 8 and 10 years old… and killing it, as they train with their dad Manny who is widely known as one of the best surfers in Nicaragua. Not only do the girls have skill and style, but they are great competitors as well, with acute focus, drive, and incredible stamina. Already sponsored by Volcom, there is no doubt that these chicas will be on the pro circuit in a few short years, putting Nicaragua on the women’s pro circuit radar. They won first and second in the contest, myself coming in third, and Elsi in fourth. Overall it was a beautiful, fun day, with the competitive buzz in the air and live music in the stands. It was humbling to get the chance to surf against the next generation of ripper-shredders, and inspiring to see them bringing women’s surfing in Nicaragua to the next level…. GO CHICAS, CONGRATS! Check out the footage of the Women’s Final and these chicas shredding!!!
Special thanks to all the businesses in San Juan who helped make this event possible, and big shout out to Dexter Ramirez of Mango Rosa Hotel, who kept the event punctual, professional and super fun!