The historic location of Punta Rocas, Peru, will host nine days of maritime thrills and spills when the 2025 International Surfing Association World Junior Championship hits the powerful Pacific waves of the South American territory from December 5 to 14. Two Saint Lucians will be among the top Under-18 surfers from around the world, as the sport begins to take wing on the island.
Having been announced to participate in October, Sebastián Russel Rambally-Ambler and Daniel Frank Rambally-Ambler are now on the doorstep of making history. Students at St Mary’s College, residents of Marigot Bay, and members of the Canaries Surf Club, 16-year-old Sebastián and 14-year-old Daniel have been surfing for a decade now, having learnt in the waters of Anse La Raye and Canaries.
In recent weeks, they have picked up support from the government of Saint Lucia, through the Alternative Sports Programme; the Saint Lucia Hotel and Tourism Association (SLHTA), through its Tourism Enhancement Fund; the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority; RASCO; and ACID Kreationz. The SLHTA donated $11 300 to the Saint Lucia Surfing Association (SLSA).
The Saint Lucians also competed at the Barbados Independence Surf Pro and Nationals on November 14 to 16 at The Soup Bowl in Bathsheba. They tied for 13th place among 16 boys in the Junior Pro category, but came away with a great deal of experience, going up against far more seasoned surfers. They also had the singular honour of meeting up with Barbados and Caribbean surf legends Alan Burke, Josh Burke, and Jacob Burke.
Before that, though, the boys received training from Surf Dojo Costa Rica, as they prepared for a major milestone for themselves and for Saint Lucian surfing.
“The lessons — both in and out of the water — have been truly invaluable to our development as athletes and as representatives of our island,” read a release from the SLSA. “From technique to discipline to mindset, we are leaving Costa Rica stronger, smarter, and more connected to the global surf family. We deeply appreciate the cultural exchange, the friendships made, and the warm pura vida spirit you shared with us.”
The youngsters have quickly been embraced by the regional and international surfing community. They have had training sessions with Dane Mackie of Paradise Surf School in Barbados, and they’ve engaged with fellow surfers in Martinique, Trinidad and Tobago, Florida, California, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Austria.
SLSA has dedicated efforts toward nurturing local talent by establishing clubs in Canaries and Choiseul, where Rasta Dave has been monitoring the development of the next generation of Saint Lucian surfers. Those clubs aim to develop aspiring surfers and promote the sport across the island, with the broader goal of establishing surfing as a key sporting and cultural activity in Saint Lucia. The federation has donated 15 surfboards this year.
“Our vision is to promote, develop, and elevate surfing on the island, providing opportunities for our youth to excel both locally and internationally,” said SLSA President Shaid Rambally.
