Alas announces that the 2014 latin surf tour will include Stand up paddle surfing and bodyboarding

Translation: Heido Sundstrom

In 2014, the Latin American Surfing Association (ALAS, for its initials in Spanish) will include two additional categories in their tour: Stand Up Paddling (SUP) and the return of Bodyboarding. They will also feature the traditional Open, Women’s, Junior Pro and Longboard categories. Bodyboarding will once again see its share of action on the tour and, thanks to the enormous growth of Stand Up Paddleboarding, Antonio Sotillo and Karin Sierralta have decided to include both divisions next year.

The Bodyboarding and Stand Up Paddling World Championships that have been organized by the ISA have also been a fundamental factor in making this decision.

ALAS President, Antonio Sotillo, expressed: “A few months ago in Margarita, I witnessed the best international bodyboarding and saw the growth of Latin enthusiasm for this sport. With the waves that our circuit has and the bodyboarding talent, we guarantee a show. We also want to support the development of Latin bodyboarding world champions that we see coming up from our continent.”

Meanwhile, when referring to SUP, ALAS CEO, Karin Sierralta, commented: “The tremendous evolution of Stand Up Paddle Surfing, the furor that the sport has brought all across the continent, cried for a Latin circuit. I think that we’ve failed by not bringing it sooner, but better late than never. We proudly announce the creation of this circuit that, without a doubt, will be very competitive and raise our level of SUPing to new standards.”

Although the dates have not yet been confirmed, SUP will share the stage with the Open, while Bodyboarding will have its own dates.