El Salvador continues to solidify its reputation as a prime destination for international sporting events, particularly in the world of competitive surfing. This achievement stems from the security policies implemented by President Nayib Bukele’s government, creating a safe and inviting environment that projects the nation onto the global stage.
Currently, El Salvador is hosting the Surf City El Salvador ISA World Masters Surfing Championship at the iconic El Sunzal beach, located in La Libertad. The event has attracted over 90 athletes from more than 20 countries. The opening ceremony was held yesterday, followed by a training session today for surf legends, gearing up for the competition.
Morena Valdez, Minister of Tourism, visited El Sunzal to engage with the visiting delegations, offering them a welcome kit featuring Salvadoran products. She also announced that the competitions will officially begin tomorrow, as organizers await the arrival of the ideal “swell” conditions. Valdez emphasized how President Bukele’s government has promoted coastal development through surfing, stating, “We saw a Spanish entrepreneur say that the waves have always been here, but what was missing was security and promotion. This is what we’ve achieved through the Territorial Control Plan and the emergency regime, which provided us with greater safety.”
The athletes have praised their experience in El Salvador, with Argentine surfer Lucía Gil remarking, “It’s a magical moment. The people are united, working to improve their country and promote tourism. It’s inspiring to see how they’ve organized themselves around security. Thank you, President Bukele, for showing us that it’s possible.”
To close out Saturday’s activities before the official competitions, the beach hosted a special night surfing event. Illuminated by towers of light, spectators enjoyed watching the experienced surfers take on the waves of La Libertad’s coast under the stars.
El Salvador’s success in hosting these international events highlights its growing influence in the surfing world and its commitment to fostering tourism and sports development.