Source: Federico Ayciriet – Argentinean Surf Association – www.asasurf.org.ar

Argentina has 16 new Judges
A new international course for surf judges in Argentina was held on Saturday, June 6.  Training took place at the Sheraton Hotel Mar del Plata under Jordao Bailo Jr. of Brazil who is CBS Technical Director, Head Judge Level 3 and ISA Course Presenter, and PASA Head Judge.

After the official announcement in November 2008 and due to the increasing need of qualified personnel evident in events throughout the Atlantic coast, the Argentinean Surf Association promoted this course which formed 16 new judges that will be recognized by ISA (International Surfing Association) to judge the corresponding tours from 2009/2010 onwards.

Training of the new judges included contents corresponding to levels 1 and 2 set and recognized as the judging standard by the main organizations linked to the sport at world level.  Jordão Bailo, responsible for the course, commented: “ISA develops these advanced courses in such a way that they place on the table a systematic knowledge on academic methodology”.  The contents of the course was divided in two panels, organized in the following manner:

First panel - Length 4 hours: Introduction of Judging criteria, Score System, Competition Rules, Longboard Judging, Interference Rules.

Second Panel - Length 4 hours: Maneuver Definition, Criteria, Judging Simulation Through Videos, Priorities, Tabulation, Judge Ethic Code, Knowledge of Score System, Staff in Surfing Events, and Proceedings.

Bailo, signaled that “Progress reached by the competitive aspects of surfing in the last years cannot be only attributed to equipment improvement and competitor performance.  The increasing success of surfing as a competitive sport can be directly linked to the progress and refinement obtained by competition rules and judging criteria”.

On the potential of Argentinean surfing at international competition level, the Brazilian, with the authority he has as one of the three elected ISA Head Judges, declared that: “Due to economic and educational conditions, and social characteristics, Argentina is in a position of becoming a regional reference and position Latin America as a surfing power.  This country is gaining positions in World Championships and is improving day after day.  It’s an honor to be here because with ASA working in such a manner, change is a question of time”.

To complete their training, those that attended the course must complete 30 hours of practice that will be supervised by the Argentinean Surf Association.  Initial practice will take place during the selective championship that will allocate the fourth and last place to be completed for the team to attend the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games that will take place in Costa Rica from August 1- 8.

The list of new judges is: Fernando Pérez, Javier Echegoyen, Joaquín Santamaría, Mauro Juan Leonardo, José Morea, Marcelo Fernández, Fabián Martelli, Juan Suarez, Leandro Santacrocce, Sebastián Royo, Hugo Barbero, Pablo Martinez Salas, Federico Ayciriet, Martín de la Vega, Hernán Azlor and Fernando Salinas. `
The Argentinean Surf Association wants to especially thank the Mar del Plata Sheraton for accompanying the growth of Argentinean Surf and Quiksilver Argentina.

Lele Usuna Argentinean vice champion and second classified to the World Games

After two hard days of competition, Leandro Usura obtained first place at the Quik PRO 09 after he prevailed over Nahuel Rull in a tight final.  Lele thus obtained the vice-championship and will accompany Marcelo Rodriguez to the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games that will take place in Costa Rica from August 1 - 8.

After six editions, the Quiksilver PRO Argentina had for the first time a past winner.  Leandro “Lele” Usuna obtained the last stop of the championship organized by the Argentinean Surf Association and won for the second time one of the most important surfing events of the country.

On the first day, the waves of La Paloma challenged the surfers’ body and mind, for they needed to constantly battle to reach the point.  A correct wave selection and saving of physical resources were fundamental to score well in each heat.  Maxi Prenski, Marcelo Rodriguez, Maxi Siri and Andres de Marco stood out.  The surprise at this point was the elimination of Martin Passeri and Lucas Santamaria.

When defining the race, things went well for Nahuel Rull, Maxi Siri, Nahuel Amalfitano and Lele Usuna.  They reached the semifinals and struggled to the end to occupy a place in the final that finally went to Usuna and Rull.

In the final heat, “Lele” had the same consistency that he had shown in the previous heats and beat a solid and concentrated Nahuel Rull who did everything possible to put himself on the par of an error-free rival.  With this victory, Lele Usuna became the first Argentinean surfer to win the Quik Pro twice; his first victory was in 2007 against Maxi Siri.

QUIK PRO ARGENTINA 09 FINAL RESULT
1. Leandro Usuna
2. Nahuel Rull
3. Maxi Siri and Nahuel Amalfitano

About the International Surfing Association (ISA)
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding and surfriding. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964 and the Junior World Championships since 1980.

ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of over 50 countries on six continents. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California. It is presided by Fernando Aguerre, first elected in 1994 in Rio, and re-elected six times since. The ISA's four Vice Presidents are Alan Atkins (Australia), Robin de Kock (South Africa), Mike Gerard (USA) and Karin Sierralta (Peru).

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