Guam – Guahan Napu Inc., the local non-profit federation of surfers and body-boarders, today announces the names of surf athletes who will represent Guam at the surfing and long-board surfing competitions in New Caledonia.
Cheyne Purcell is the Men’s Short board contestant to represent Guam at the Pacific Games while Fred Mendiola will compete in the gender neutral Long Board category. Purcell ranked first place after achieving a total of 27 points in three qualifier events between November 20 2010 and March 12, 2011. Mendiola ranked first in long board surfing with a total of 29 points, also in the three qualifier events organized by GNI. The qualifiers were “Surf the Basin II”, “Rick’s Reef Classic IV” and the Pacific Games Try-Out.
Joeito Santiago, who achieved second ranking with a total score of 26 points, opted to be considered a third alternate for the Men’s Short Board category, due to work obligations. The association moved Derrick Ikehara, who ranked third with a score of 24 points, to second place alternate position in the short board division.
In the Long Board surfing category, the second alternate is Richmond Arciaga, who had a 24-point score after the qualifiers. He replaces Joe Villatora who has opted to apply for a Technical Official position as a judge at the games. Derrick Ikehara is third alternate in the Long Board division.
The surfing team coach is Andrew Lee. Alternate athletes will only step in if the first ranked contestants are unable to travel and compete in August. Alternates are subject to the same criteria as the first ranked contestants, which include regular attendance at all training and other functions related to the Pacific Games.
Information from a press release.
frankie@spbguam.com
