Torres, Bernold Make a Push in Jacó

By Britton Jacob-Schram

Perfect waves allowed for near perfect performances earlier this week from Jason Torres and Nataly Bernold at the national circuit’s second event in Playa Jacó.

Held at the break in front of the Hotel Bahía Encantada — a spot never before listed on the circuit’s roster — the four-star Torneo Coca-Cola Zero gave Central Pacific surfers home court.

Jacó newcomer Bernold took out defending six-time women’s champion and close friend Lisbeth Vindas, making it her third consecutive Jacó win.

© Photo Courtesy

HIGH NOON: Jason Torres, one of Costa Rica’s most agile and powerful surfers, reveals a hack that could take him farther than most during this year’s national circuit. (Photo Courtesy of Philippe Demarsan)

During the men’s open final Sunday, it was Torres, still reeling from a fifth place win at the ISA World Surfing Games in Portugal, who made it look all too easy, taking out both Germaine Myrie and defending men’s open winner Gilbert Brown.

“He’s got it. He has it, he’s just one of those natural surfers, and I’ve been saying that for a couple years now,” said the President of the Costa Rican Surfing Federation José Ureña.

Hungry for his first national title, surf officials are expecting solid results from Torres this year.

“I think this is Jason’s time and that’s how it’s going to be for the next few years. He knows now he’s at that level, and as soon as he believes in himself, he’s got a lot of good things coming to him.”