The final day of competition at the 2015 Nicaragua Unica… Original ISA World Surfing Games presented by Lafise and Claro ended with an international celebration for the sport of surfing. Twenty-seven National Teams flooded the sands of Playa Popoyo, Nicaragua alongside thousands of spectators to cheer on the action.

The entire day was full of fantastic surfing in overhead to double overhead waves.

The lineup for the Women’s Final included Tia Blanco (USA), Leilani McGonagle (CRI), Ella Williams (NZL) and Chelsea Tuach (Bar). 2014 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship Bronze Medalist Blanco and Copper Medalist McGonagle took strong leads. However, by the end of the heat it was Blanco that would take the Gold Medal home for her country.

“It means the world to me, to win this Gold Medal for the USA. I am so stoked!” exclaimed Blanco, still in the awe following her win. “Getting carried up the beach by my coach and Damien Hobgood was a dream come true — it was one for the memory book. Thank you to everyone who believed in me, I could not do it without you.”

The Men’s Final came next, and included defending 2014 Gold Medalist Leandro Usuna (ARG) and Bronze Medalist Shane Holmes (AUS), against the world renown talent of Nic Von Rupp (POR) and Noe Mar McGonagle (CRI).

Following his sister’s final, Noe Mar made quick work of the competition. Scoring two rides in the eight-point range before anyone earned even a three-point ride, it seemed to be in the bag for Noe Mar. Then, Noe Mar stepped it up again with a near-perfect 9.93 ride. The Gold Medal was his, but the win was for Costa Rica.

“I didn’t do it for myself, I did it for Costa Rica,” said Noe Mar, full of national pride. “We come to these ISA events to do the best for our country, and I knew a win in my heat would give us the points we needed for the team Gold. Costa Rica is a small country, but we have a big heart and the most supportive people. I dedicate this to them.”

With the combined effort of the McGonagle siblings in back-to-back finals, Costa Rica not only left with two individual medals but with the title of Team World Champion. The support of the people on the beach was powerful. During the closing ceremony, Team Costa Rica put their hands together near the front of the stage and were joined by fellow countrymen in the crowd for a final cheer of national celebration.

“This has been a historical week for surfing, the ISA and the beautiful host nation of Nicaragua. This partnership between Nicaragua and the ISA has produced best-in-class events year after year, while showcasing the perfection of its coastline to the world,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre.

“Twenty-seven nations came together from around the world, for a phenomenal week of surfing on extraordinary waves,” continued Aguerre. “I want to thank each and every athlete for surfing in the name of their nation. More than medals, I hope every person leaves here with memories of the outstanding ISA event and new friends from our international community.”

Men’s Surfing Results:
Gold Medal – Noe Mar McGonagle (CRI)
Silver Medal – Nic Von Rupp (POR)
Bronze Medal – Shane Holmes (AUS)
Copper Medal – Leandro Usuna (ARG)

Women’s Surfing Results:
Gold Medal – Tia Blanco (USA)
Silver Medal – Leilani McGonagle (CRI)
Bronze Medal – Ella Williams (NZL)
Copper Medal – Chelsea Tuach (BAR)

For the full results click here – http://isawsg.com/results/

Sensational Semifinals, Finals to Climax on Sunday for 2015 Nicaragua Unica… Original ISA World Surfing Games.

The 2015 Nicaragua Unica… Original ISA World Surfing Games presented by Lafise and Claro kicked-off an exciting weekend of competition finals on Saturday. Outstanding matchups took place in the Repechage Rounds, before the ISA Aloha Cup closed out the day of nation-oriented camaraderie.

The entire day was full of impressive action, but the best matchups took place in the Repechage Rounds. Carlos Muñoz captured three Repechage heat advancements, two of which he won outright with scores in the nine-point range and the best air reverse of the event.

“I am super stoked and happy to make it through, we need the points. The race for the title is getting harder and harder for us,” voiced Muñoz. “My strategy to reach the final is to save energy, relax, use the spirit of the team and keep having fun. It’s just Surfing. Pura Vida!”

In the first heat of the Women’s Repechage Round 6, New Zealand’s Paige Hareb notched the first 10-point ride of the 2015 ISA World Surfing Games en route to her heat victory. Still, it was Costa Rica’s Leilani McGonagle that stole the attention of the day defeating 2014 Gold and Bronze Medalists Anali Gomez (PER) and Philippa Anderson (AUS).

“I’m feeling great,” expressed McGonagle. “In the heat before I had a bit of a tough time. I wasn’t really hitting the lip in the pockets, so I just regrouped and tried my best out there. Pura Vida! Let’s go Costa Rica.”

In their individual heats, the Costa Ricans proved to be extremely tough to beat. Later, they came together with fellow teammates Anthony Fillingam and Noe Mar McGonagle to dominate the ISA Aloha Cup. With a score of 50.17 and more than nine minutes to spare, Team Costa Rica won the Gold Medal.

The rest of the ISA Aloha Cup podium resulted in Team Peru taking Silver, Team Australia earning the Bronze and Team Argentina getting the Copper.

“What a final! The ISA Aloha Cup is absolutely amazing because it offers an opportunity for surfing to unite a nation and compete with pride. That is what the ISA World Surfing Games are all about — honoring the sport while honoring your country,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre.

“Tomorrow the world will witness the semifinals and finals for the men and women divisions,” continued Aguerre. “More than individual Gold Medals, a new Team Champion will be decided and one nation will be recognized as the strongest team in the world. I know it will be fantastic.”

For a full list of the day’s results, visit — http://isawsg.com/results/

The live webcast of the final day of competition will begin at 10:00am local time.

Sunday, 10:00am Playa Popoyo, Nicaragua

Sunday, 9:00am Los Angeles, USA

Sunday, 1:00pm Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Sunday, 6:00pm Paris, France

Monday, 2:00am Sydney, Australia

Tune into the live webcast here — http://isawsg.com/live/