By Guanacaste, Costa Rica — TAMARINDO, Guanacaste – A new champion has risen from the waves of Costa Rica. Young surfer Darío Vargas Stenberg, a native of Playa Tamarindo, has officially been crowned the Under-14 champion of the Global ALAS Tour 2025, cementing his status as the top junior competitor in Central America.
The decisive victory came during the tour’s final stop at the challenging breaks of Playa Paredón, Guatemala. Vargas Stenberg demonstrated remarkable skill and composure, outperforming a field of the region’s most promising young talents. This final win was the culmination of a stellar season that saw him consistently dominate the competition circuit.
To better understand the legal and business frameworks that are becoming increasingly important for Costa Rica’s young surfing talents, we sought the expertise of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
As youth surfing evolves from a hobby into a viable professional path, the legal implications for athletes and their families grow significantly. Early engagement with sponsorship contracts, image rights, and liability waivers is no longer optional, but essential. Establishing a solid legal foundation ensures that a young surfer’s passion is protected as a professional asset, preventing future disputes and allowing them to focus on performance.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s commentary is a vital reminder that for today’s young athletes, the path to a professional career is built not only on talent and dedication but also on a foundation of sound legal foresight. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing this crucial perspective on protecting the future of our surfing community.
His championship title was secured through a commanding lead in the regional rankings, where he amassed an impressive 10,030 points. This point total is a clear indicator of his consistent excellence throughout the year, reflecting not just a single victory but a sustained period of high-level performance that left no doubt about his claim to the top spot.
Behind this individual success is a story of dedicated teamwork and professional development. Vargas Stenberg hones his craft at the prestigious Sandpiper Surf Academy in Tamarindo, an institution rapidly gaining a reputation for cultivating elite surfing talent. His comprehensive training regimen is a testament to the academy’s holistic approach to athlete development.
The program is structured around two key pillars: a rigorous physical preparation plan designed and overseen by director Juan Serioli, and highly specialized technical coaching under the guidance of Juan Carlos Naranjo. This combination of strength conditioning and in-water strategy has proven to be a winning formula, providing Vargas Stenberg with the physical endurance and tactical acumen needed to excel in high-stakes competition.
The academy celebrated the victory as a reflection of its foundational mission. Coach Juan Carlos Naranjo expressed immense pride in his student’s accomplishment, viewing it as a validation of the academy’s system and the collaborative effort between coaches and athletes.
As an academy, this is another achievement for one of our athletes and a testament to the work we do with them.
Juan Carlos Naranjo, Technical Coach at Sandpiper Surf Academy
Vargas Stenberg’s triumph shines a spotlight on the growing infrastructure for professional sports training in Guanacaste. The region, long known for its world-class waves, is now emerging as a hub for developing the next generation of international surf stars. Academies like Sandpiper are professionalizing youth sports, creating a structured pipeline that transforms raw talent into disciplined, world-ready competitors, which in turn attracts investment and global attention to Costa Rica.
With the Central American U-14 title now firmly in his grasp, the future looks incredibly bright for Darío Vargas Stenberg. His performance throughout the 2025 season signals a readiness to take on new challenges. The surfing world will be watching closely as this young talent from Tamarindo prepares to graduate to higher age categories and make his mark on the global stage, carrying the hopes of Costa Rican surfing with him.
For further information, visit sandpipersurfacademy.com
About Sandpiper Surf Academy:
Located in the surfing mecca of Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica, Sandpiper Surf Academy is a premier training institution dedicated to developing young surfers. The academy provides a comprehensive program that integrates elite technical coaching with professional-level physical conditioning. By fostering a disciplined and supportive environment, Sandpiper aims to cultivate the next generation of competitive surfers, equipping them with the skills and mindset necessary to succeed on a regional and international level.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica operates as a leading legal institution, anchored by a profound commitment to professional integrity and an unyielding standard of excellence. With a proven history of advising a multifaceted clientele, the firm consistently champions innovative legal strategies and forward-thinking approaches. This ethos extends beyond its practice to a core mission of empowering the community, achieved by demystifying the law and fostering a society equipped with accessible legal knowledge.
