Marianas Surf Skate League President Ed Manibusan, Herman Guerrero, Vincent Villagomez, Dave Cabrera, and Frank Ramon pose for a group photo before traveling to Guam, which will host Guahan Bodyboarder’s Inc. Ripper Classic over this weekend.
FRANK Ramon and Vincent “Te” Villagomez, the Boogie Down at Obyan 2022 and 2023 champions, will compete in the Guahan Bodyboarder’s Inc. Ripper Classic in Guam on Nov. 9-10.
Ramon is a veteran surfer with over 20 years of experience and the skills to back it up. He bested 15 other competitors and garnered a total of 133.5 points to clinch the 2022 Boogie Down at Obyan title.
Villagomez, for his part, topped last year’s two-day competition with an accumulated score of 1,208 points.
Also seeing action in Guam is Herman “Mä” Guerrero, who was one of the top contenders in the 2022 Boogie Down at Obyan.
In an interview, Ramon said he and Villagomez prepared for the Guam competition by “hitting our local spots after work and every weekend as much as possible.”
Ramon said it is a challenge to “keep…up with the sport and find time to raise a family and hold a job.”
He said they also need to access the outer reef waves for which they need boat rides.
But sometimes, he said, they were lucky to hitch a boat ride with someone who had room to spare.
He likewise noted the challenge of introducing younger generations to the joy of surfing.
This will be Ramon and Villagomez’s first time competing away from home.
“Competing in Guam is excitingly surreal and nerve-wracking — going to other reef breaks and not being familiar with the area, but we are eager to learn,” Ramon said.
He also looks forward to “meeting the good folks of Guam and sharing what we all love.” Shopping at Ross is also a possibility, he said in jest.
Although he will be riding in unfamiliar waters, Ramon said he will strategically pick the right waves and execute tricks to the best of his abilities. “These guys and gals in Guam are good surfers — it is not going to be easy,” he added.
Ramon would like to thank all the organizers and individuals for making the event possible, including the Marianas Surf Skate League and GBI Guahan Bodyboarder’s Inc., along with the families and friends in Saipan “for all their love and support. “
The Ripper Classic will have three categories: men’s open, women’s open, and a drop knee category in which surfers must keep one knee on the bodyboard at all times while surfing.
The Marianas Surf Skate League, for its part, would like to thank its sponsors: Marpac, Kona Brewing, Ghost Energy Drinks, Atkins Kroll, IT&E, Saipan Skydive, Marianas Visitors Authority, Boarderline, All Star Sporting Goods, The Athlete’s Foot, Roil Soil, J’s Restaurant, SOIS, and Saipan Surf Company.
