Team Mexico Raising Funds to compete in the ISA World Championship in Fiji

Team Mexico, a group of dedicated, passionate, and talented Stand Up Paddlers, most of whom are from Sayulita, are raising funds to be able to compete in the 5th annual ISA (International Surfing Association) World Stand Up Paddle and Paddleboard Championship in Fiji. This competition will take place from November 12th through 20th, 2016. Team Mexico tells El Sayulero more about the team, past world championships, their fundraising goal, and much more.

So, tell me about Team Mexico. Who’s on the team and where are they from?

The 2016 Mexico SUP Team has 19 paddlers (75% of whom live in Riviera Nayarit). The following team members all live in Sayulita: Felipe Rodriguez, Fernando Stalla, Felipe Hernandez, Javier Jimenez, Julio Gonzalez, Miguel Rodriguez, Manuel Rodriguez, Geovani Perez, Keven Camara, Aida Ramos, and Martha Diaz. The following team members live as follows: Italivi Fuente (from Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, but living in Punta de Mita), Oliver Cruz (Lo de Marcos), Juan Bosco Varela (Bucerias), Angelica Sanchez (Puerto Vallarta), AnaJose Mariscal (Mazatlan, Sinaloa), Erika Benitez (Stanton, CA), Alejandra Brito (from Punta de Mita, but living in Redondo Beach, CA ), and Karen Jacobson (from Puerto Vallarta, but living in Malibu, CA).

How does one qualify for Team Mexico?

Before each ISA world championship, there have been Mexico National Championships, organized and approved by the Mexican Surfing Federation (FMS) since 2013. This means that there is a national invitation to participate at this event in order to select a national team where all winners (from 1st to 4th place) of these 3 thee divisions: SUP SURF, SUP RACE (distance and technical) and PADDLEBOARD RACE (distance and technical), are named to form the Mexican SUP team.

How many years has Team Mexico been participating in the World Championships?

Mexico has participated in the ISA SUP World Championships from the beginning in 2012, which was in Peru. That year Mexico sent only 4 paddlers (all from Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit), and the team got 13th place overall. In 2013, it was in Peru again, where we surprised the entire world by getting a 3rd place Bronze medal with a 12 paddler team (again, most of the team from Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit). In 2014, it was in Nicaragua, where Mexico got 6th place, and finally in 2015, it was right here in Sayulita, Riviera Nayarit, where Mexico´s SUP team repeated a 6th place overall.

Will you tell me more about Team Mexico and their high placement in the 2015 World Championship held in Sayulita last year?

Mexico paddlers are more and more competitive every day. Also, Mexico has some ranked athletes like Fernando Stalla, Javier Jimenez “Bicho” (silver medal 2nd place SUP RACE distance in 2015), Felipe Hernandez (bronze medal 3rd place SUP SURF in 2015), Felipe Rodriguez, and Erika Benitez, who is only 15 years old. Having such great talent on the team forces everyone to do more and paddle harder and harder. Plus when you have received a world championship at home, the energy and support you get from the entire town counts a lot. The Sayulita community has adopted the SUP sport really well and the town really got into the world championship and we are really thankful for that support.   

What is it like competing in the World Championships?

This is really the Olympic games of our sport. It is the best chance to represent your country and compete facing the best world class paddlers.

It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to compete at this level. What does the team’s training schedule look like?

Each athlete has his or her own training plan, which depends on what category you are competing. All of them will have some running, swimming, gym, yoga, and cross fit sessions each day, plus one or two ocean sessions per day as well. One important thing is also eating and resting.  We are just finalizing a training program for the team. It is important to mention the huge support that we have received from Ryan Helm, a Sayulita resident who has been our mentor since the beginning of the sport here in Sayulita. He has been the personal trainer of the team the last 3 years and looking forward to repeat this year as well.

Which team members are planning to participate in the World Championship in Fiji?

The desire is to register a full team this year. Top paddlers of each category will fill the list. The final list will be confirmed by October 2016, just one month before the event.  A full team to Fiji will represent 15 people total, with 10 paddlers and 5 team officials/supporters. It also depends on our final budget.

Why is it so important for the full Team Mexico to go to Fiji?

Mexico SUP Team has been a part of the ISA world championships since its inception (4 years in a row) and we have done exceptionally well. We have made history by winning a 3rd place by team points in Peru in 2013 and showed a great display at the 2015 Mexico´s World Championship in Sayulita by getting a couple of personal medals.

The Mexican SUP Team has a great opportunity to appear on the podium again this year. With 4 ranked paddlers (top 30 in the world) and a great quality of newer competitors, Mexico will provide a very interesting battle for medals this November in Fiji.   

You’re raising money to get to Fiji for this year’s competition. Why should people donate?

The Mexico SUP Team would like to accomplish getting to Fiji and we know it’s going to be a long shot. We are trying to get the best support from our community, so we are calling  friends, business, homeowners, visitors, all those who love Sayulita. Basically, the Mexican SUP Team has a huge base, thanks to Sayulita: a little pueblo that consistently produces great surfers, and now Sayulita lays claim to the title of Stand Up Paddleboarding capitol of Mexico as well. We believe the whole town of Sayulita is part of our BIG team. If each of your readers (Sayulita Life) and homeowners can donate to the team, we are pretty sure we can get to our goal and will be so proud to say that one town raised the funds for the Mexican SUP team.    

What is your fundraising goal?

Our fundraising goal is to raise approximately $100,000 USD. We will need to cover expenses, such as event registrations, airfares, and accommodations. Fiji is known for its world class waves, and is the perfect stage for the world championships, but is very far and is an expensive destination. Team Mexico is excited to compete once again and appreciates your support.

Where can people donate?

For now, people can donate at our Gofundme site by clicking here, or contact Jose Luis here, if interested in knowing our different sponsorship plans with national & world wide exposure.

Follow Team Mexico on FaceBook and Instagram!