Local Wilber Albarenga Wins The 2nd Annual Quiksilver Pro El Salvador

Local Wilber Albarenga Wins The 2nd Annual Quiksilver Pro El Salvador

Posted 06.05.2007

Clean High Performance Waves for the Final Day

(La Libertad, El Salvador) June 4, 2007 Thrilling the hometown crowds, Punta Roca local Wilber Albarenga won the 2nd annual Quiksilver Pro El Salvador yesterday. Albarenga's victory is makes it two years in a row that a surfer from La Libertad has emerged victorious at the legendary point break here called "Punta Roca." (Last year contest director and lifelong local Jimmy Rotherham won the event.)

Alberenga, nicknamed "Policia," was carried up the beach by his countrymen and he celebrated with his infant son. "I'm so happy." said Alberenga. "I want to thank Quiksilver, Bahia, Sprite and all of the other sponsors. I'm so stoked that a local has won this event again. This is our home and I want one of us to win every year."

Rotherham, injured and out of action this year, was excited to see childhood friend Albarenga take the win. "I grew up with Wilber and I'm so proud of him that I want to cry," said Rotherham. "I'm also so honored by the presence of so many great international surfers here. They all surfed so well."


Event photos and updates from each day are at: www.quiksilver.com/proelsalvador

Results:
1. Wilber Albarenga (El Salvador)
2. Javier Swain (Peru)
3. Gabriel Villaran (Peru)
3. Gabriel Aramaburu (Peru
5. Logan Strook (USA)
5. Juan Carlos Ramos (El Salvador)
5. Diego Salgado (Panama)
5. Carlos Gonzcalves (Ecuador)

BEST BET APR '07: CENTRAL AMERICA - Surfline article on El Salvador

BEST BET APR '07: CENTRAL AMERICA
South of the Border starting to heat up
Central America will frequently see some of its largest Southern Hemi swells of the year in April or May.

This April looks like it will fuel the fire of that theory. A series of storms have been plowing across the South Pacific lately, with more on tap for the next few days. Overhead to well overhead surf will result in much of Central America and Mainland Mexico through the first third of the month. Smaller surf will likely take over through mid month, with a good chance of another solid run of swell late April through early May.
http://www.surfline.com/travel/travel_bamp.cfm?id=8581

New York Times article on El Sunzal

El Salvador Adds Style to Great Waves

Maybe it's time to head to El Salvador. There, just a five-hour nonstop flight from New York, you can catch rides all day on perfectly hollow 5- to 10-foot waves in 82-degree water, while sea turtles paddle past you, pelicans fly in formation above your head and so many fish leap from the water, you have to regularly brush them off your surfboard.

Slate article on El Tunco

Carlos Don't Surf

On the volcanic beaches west of La Libertad, El Salvador, stray dogs saunter up to the open-front restaurants and sorrowfully flop their heads into the laps of diners; stray cats blink, purr, and mew under the tables. The patrons here, mostly young surfers and backpackers from the United States and Europe (as well as a few middle-class weekenders from San Salvador), are happy to oblige with morsels of food. Bob Marley tunes play endlessly on cafe sound systems, and bottles of locally brewed Pilsener beer come cold and cheap. It's a nice little vibe, and at times both the travelers and the strays look genuinely stunned by their good fortune.

More photos of La Libertad

Photos of La Libertad


Study Spanish in El Salvador with the El Salvador Spanish Schools

Surfing La Libertad

Surf and study Spanish in El Salvador

Surf and study Spanish in El Salvador: one on one Spanish classes with professional instructors at your hotel or rental in the surfing destinations of La Libertad and El Sunzal. More info at the El Salvador Spanish Schools