Bodyboard

Bodyboard

This sport arrived to the Dominican Republic in the early 80s.  Its pioneer was Jesús Pérez (El Chu), who introduced the sport to the youth that eventually became important figures in the discipline.

Over more than 15 years, bodyboarding developed and gained recognition in the surfing competitions held by the Asociación Dominicana de Surf (Adosurf) and in an annual event named Summer Bogie.

In 1992, young bodyboarders planned various meetings in order to create the first Asociación de Bodyboard, but due to lack of knowledge, the business did not prosper.

In December 1996, Rafael Castillo (Tito) and Edgard Severino took the initiative to create the first organization dedicated to the development of bodyboarding at all levels.  The initiative gave birth to the creation of the Organización Dominicana de Bodyboarding (ODB), on December 16, 1996.

16 youth joined the group and assumed the responsibility of directing a group fascinated by the challenge of the waves of the Dominican seaboards.

The Organization set the goal of holding six competitions per year, as well as training youth at the competitive level, so that they might represent the country in international competitions.

After two years of constant work, they gained significant national and international recognition.  In 1998, the Playa de Güibia, in Santo Domingo, was the scene of the first professional bodyboard competition held in the country.  The first place winner was Michael Álvarez.

Today, bodyboarding is practiced in Playa Pato, in Nizao, Baní province; in Guiria, Santo Domingo, on the Playa La Boya, on the Boca Chica seaboard.

On the northern coast, it is practiced on Playa Encuentro, of Cabarete and in El Barco and La Pasa, of Río San Juan.