November 22nd, 2018

Somewhere in Nicaragua

The festivities started pretty early. 7:30Am to be exact.

John Gillem making his way out the contestable fun surf we had today. There was actually some debate on whether to move the contest to tomorrow or even Sat. But luckily, we were blessed with some really nice waves today.

Mark “Buzz” Dephilippis, putting his long lasting Colorados skills to test today up at the reef. The contest is held each year at Panga Drops, since this time of year, Playa Colorados usually tends to go a little dormant. How’s that aqua green lipper Buzz is navigating tho??

There were a few decent size sets today.

Nacho is back in town, just in time for the best contest of the year. He got a little traveling bug (we think) so he had to bow out of all the other divisions today. Hope you’re feeling better amigo!

Speaking of another good fellow surfer here.. Josh Springfield is back… as a matter of fact, the whole Springfield clan is back together. This place just isn’t the same without them here. Bienvenido amigos!

Grant was getting super stylie in the Long Board department today. On a soft top to boot. Either way, he was ripping!

John G, looking for the point makers… aka Barrels out there.

If you wanna see someone who has one heck of good time on a longboard, look no further than Dario Romano.

Super clean conditions with some solid offshores. Welcome to Thanksgiving in Nicaragua.

Josh on a well overhead PD’s green machine.

Everyone of these guys surf together regularly throughout the year here. So today was about as fun as any contest comes, in terms of camaraderie.

John Springfield, taking the contest by storm. Literally.

There were quite a few LB heats in the morning, so when the ladies SB division finally came on, so did the winds. But that didn’t stop Jenny Cortez from showing the crowd her local knowledge.

Ructi has definitely been putting in a lot of surfing time this season. But that backwash and offshore wind will always be your better demon that can take years to excel at. Either way, she still showed the waves who was boss out there today.

The grom heats were super heated, oozing with raw, upcoming talent.

Maycol, scoring the only barrel (that I witnessed) today. This kid is beyond amazing. I asked him to please go out and find me a barrel to shoot for this contest. AND thus, he delivered.

and then he followed through with a turn like this. There’s noting better in life than a youthful person who still listens to his elders. Great job today little buddy!

If you follow the surf report regularly, you will recognize John and his newest shred sled pictured here (and from past posts). Needless to say, he’s been improving and dialing in his surfing daily with this fun looking fishy thing. I bet if you asked him what his favorite surfboard is, this one might be the one… for now.

The claims were strong!

Ohhh LOOK, its Tony Z. He came out to play today on this glorious Thanksgiving day too. Btw, he LOVES Turkey and it’s ritualistic for him to always paddle out with a 6 hour cooked turkey for good luck. Let’s just say, I am starting to become a big believer in his ritualistic ways. The way of the BIRD!!!

The shortboard division definitely upped the ante of the competitive vibe and nature for sure. What is it with the lower volume of surfboards that changes the whole game really????

I guess it because shredding the gnar is just too hard not to do with a traditional shortboard. Thanks Kelly!!!! Rob, I know you tried so hard with the High 5 at Pipe, but the competitive prowess will never die with the shortboards.

Especially with the crew we have being groomed with the waves here.

Tony, not slowing down for a second after eating that whole turkey.

Although, I was wondering if he was a little delusional from all the amino acid tryptophan from that big fat bird. I think he thought he was still in the longboard division.

One person in the whole contest who could compete as a grom while being over 40 is this guy.  ENERGY LEVEL…. HIGH!!!!

Lesther putting on a show isn’t abnormal here on any given day. The only difference here, is he is wearing a rashy, and points are being tallied. Otherwise this is just another fun day of surfing.

His little bother, Oscar, who also isn’t a stranger to wearing a jersey, nor putting on a show (as he recently did for the big wigs of the surf industry at the recent Oakley Surf Shop Challenge), always doing big things.

Jeison, is another up and coming surfing from Nicaragua, particularly the Tola region. Let’s just say, this place makes really good surfers!

You can’t have a proper surf contest without allowing ALL surf riding vehicle aficionados attending. There could be an easter egg here on the report today on Thanksgiving and this may or may not be me. Either way… today was fun.

Tony entered every division today. We’ll just say he excelled in all forms of wave riding. Even dick dragging!

John actually took the win for sponging today. Amongst many other titles as well. Watch out for this kid…… ahem… I mean fine young man.

As I mentioned not too far back… You can’t have a proper surf contest without allowing ALL surf riding vehicle AND or ages.

Welcome the super mini grom division.

These kids were fearless!!!!!

All while being super stoked the entire time!

We can’t thank you enough to this fine young lady. Muchos Gracias Jen Whatley for hosting, yet another great year of the Local Chompipe Surf contest. You’re the best!!!!

and None of this would even being possible without this legend! Thank you so much Dan Springfield for all of your talent in organizing and especially astute attention to detail for making this year and every years Chompipe contest possible (not to mention the, golf, volleyball and all the finer things like Pizza, which are just a few of our favorite things here that you make happen). HUGE Thank you to the entire Springfield Posse!!!

Aaaaand let the prizes ceremony commence…… right about NOW!!!!

As you can see…. today was a huge success. Thank you to everyone who helped in making today happen. Congrats to all of the winners of their surfing division and heats. We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Thank so much for stopping by. CHEERS ~ ~ ~