By Delia Ruelas

The beach adjacent to the pier was the setting where over more than 100 elite athletes, both national and international, gave their best efforts at the 2024 Baja California Mexican Open Surfing Championship. 

Oaxacan surfers Jhony Corzo and Maya Larripa emerged as the champions of the competition, while in the bodyboard category, Keni Favela claimed his second consecutive title.

Maya Larripa won the first final held last Sunday at the pier, where fellow surfer Ana Laura González secured second place, Maya Mateja took third, and Summer Sivori Green finished fourth.

Next, in an exciting bodyboard competition, Kalani Favela achieved back-to-back titles, while Alfonso Aguilar and Jorge Raúl Medina completed the podium in second and third place, respectively.

The event concluded with the men’s shortboard open final, which showcased a high level of competition.

Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca’s Jhony Corzo, a former world champion, surpassed Rey Hernández and 2023 champion Rafael Pereira in the overall standings, becoming the new champion of Baja California’s premier surfing event. Mateo Cadena finished in fourth place.

Jhony Corzo expressed his pride in representing Mexico, attributing his success to the multidisciplinary team effort behind his training.

The significance of the second edition of the 2024 Baja California Mexican Open Surfing Championship lies in giving Baja Californian athletes the opportunity to learn from some of the best surfers in the world, which will undoubtedly raise their level of competition, said Antonio Otáñez, president of the Baja California State Surfing Association.