Mystery surfer steals the show at ECSC in Va. Beach

VIRGINIA BEACH

The rumors about Jairo Perez started Saturday. Something about a guy called Mighty Mouse. Almost none of the top competitors at the 48th East Coast Surfing Championships recognized him or knew his name, yet the tales of his prowess swept the Oceanfront.

Had he actually landed a perfect aerial to reach the semifinals of the men's pro division? Did he really go from fourth place to first in the last 30 seconds of the heat? Why did no one know him? Who is this kid?

By Sunday evening, thousands of people lining the beach learned the answer to that question.

Perez, the 20-year-old mystery surfer from Costa Rica, won the junior pro tournament to establish himself as the fan favorite and biggest surprise of the ECSC. He lost in the semis of the men's pro tournament, eventually won by Jeremy Johnston.

Even though Perez entered the event as an unknown, one thing seems certain: Those who saw Perez surf won't soon forget him.

"A lot of the guys really didn't know who he was," said Kyle Garson, the second-place finisher in the men's pro division and one of the few who knew Perez from running a surfing camp in Costa Rica. "Now, not so much."

It took more than two years to bring Perez to Virginia Beach. In Costa Rica, the waves are astounding, but the living conditions are tough. Perez earned $2,600 on Sunday at the ECSC - $2,000 for winning the junior pro, plus $600 for finishing in the semifinals of the men's pro. He said a wealthy person at home makes the equivalent of about $20,000 a year.

Perez surfed for his country's national team since childhood, but the notion of leaving to compete in the United States sounded daunting, if not impossible.

"It's so hard to get a visa because the government worries that if you go out, you won't come back," Perez said. "But now, they are going to be stoked in my country. This will be on the news there and be a big deal."

Chappie Bunch, a surfer originally from Virginia Beach who now resides in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., met Perez while staying at his vacation home in Costa Rica. Perez was only 9 years old, but his talent stood out immediately. Bunch vowed to somehow bring him to America to surf and agreed to sponsor him.

The government of Costa Rica denied Perez permission to travel multiple times. Bunch and his wife even went to Costa Rica to petition on his behalf to no avail. Finally, after enough prodding from the Bunches and Perez himself, the government relented and granted Perez the right to visit the U.S. as often he likes for 10 years.

According to the stipulations, Perez can stay away for three months, but then must return to Costa Rica for at least 30 days before leaving again.

"They ask you so many questions about everything because they don't want you to stay and work in the United States," Perez said. "I just feel very lucky. I thought I would never get it."

Bunch met Perez's plane in Florida and drove him to Virginia for the tournament. He paid for Perez's travel from Costa Rica and hopes to bring him back for a surfing competition later this year at the Outer Banks.

"This is his way out of a third-world country and a way for him to make something for himself," Bunch said. "He's so self-motivated, and he has an incredible talent for surfing. He can be one of the greatest."

As Perez paddled out for the finals of the junior pro division Sunday, word of his difficult journey had spread through the beach. After his round ended, it became clear Perez was more than just a feel-good story.

He wowed the crowd with a dazzling combination of moves. He rode one wave so far down the beach that he nearly had to leap over a casual swimmer. The fans burst into applause. No one needed the judges to declare a winner. Perez stole the show.

About an hour later, Perez strutted across the stage to claim his $2,000 prize check for the junior pro title. He received the loudest cheer of anyone, including the finalists in the men's pro division.

The rumors about Perez had all been true. Finally, everyone had a chance to see him up close.

"I have heard so many stories about you," competition director Paul West said over the public address system.

By then, everybody had.

Jared Diamond, (757) 446-2039, jared.diamond@pilotonline.com