Paloma on The Open Sea Event in Punta Leona

This weekend, on 16 and 17 April, took place in Costa Rica, for the 27th time, the traditional open waters event in Punta Leona, on the Central Pacific Coast, sponsored by The Open Sea Events.

One of our athletes, Paloma, a eleven-year-old, signed up to participate in the 400m. Her family encouraged her to compete in all stages of the process.

Paloma is a dedicated athlete and has a lot of connection with the marine environment by influence of her father who is a soul surfer. Besides swimming in pool and ocean she excels in all sports that boasts to learn. Surf, skate, soccer, competing in athletics representing her school ... She is always willing and eager to learn more. Her attitude is humble and at the same time secure. As she trains with older girls, ages ranging up to 14 years, sometimes we forget that she is still so young for her mature and responsible behavior. She is an example for other children on the swimming team of the school.

Her family is originally from Argentina but in search of waves, their parents lived in many beaches in the world until reaching Costa Rica with their eldest son where Paloma was born.

In addition to the support and encouragement for her to train, participate in competitions and develop her natural abilities increasingly, all the family followed her performance in this event.

We woke up at 4am on Sunday morning in Tamarindo, Guanacaste and 5 am we took the road heading to Punta Leona. We arrived an hour and a half before the start that would be 10am so we had time to find her participation kit, park, find and analyze the place of proof, stretch, warm up and think about the strategy to complete the race the best possible way.

Before the start she was encouraged by her mother who was present, by her brother that sent her a message recorded by cell phone and was cheering with their father who could not follow the journey because of a lesion that he suffered surfing and encouraged also by her coach, Rodrigo Guerra.

Paloma started very well and was chased by opponents that even left some nail marks on her back. It was a very competitive race and we were very happy with her completing the race in 7 minutes and 40 seconds winning the fifth place.

Being part of a huge event and feeling all the energy that involves it so young certainly will make Paloma an experienced competitor at an early age and that will be an advantage that she will bring to life in any sport or activity where she wants to specialize. And this advantage is only possible to win still in childhood with family support.

A champion is not made alone. Many people need to be involved throughout the process. The routine has to be regulated, the time well managed to be divided between school, sport and rest, and good nutrition makes a lot of difference.

This participation in Punta Leona was an achievement for Paloma, her family and her coach!

Thank you all! That will be the first of many open waters events!

#openwaters #aguasabiertas #swimming #natacion #kids