In a groundbreaking moment for Colombian surfing, athletes Margarita Conde and Marcela Gonzalez received support from Olana Swimwear to reach a goal: showcase their longboarding abilities at a top-level platform, the 2025 ISA World Longboard Championship in El Salvador.
At Olana, our brand purpose has been clear from day one: make the highest quality most sustainable swimwear possible and use part of the revenue to support surf girls and women from Colombia, while cheering for female surfers all around the world.
This year, we decided to join forces with other sponsors and support these two athletes’ participation at the renowned international contest in El Salvador last April.
Seeing the Olana stickers on their boards was one of our proudest moments, but witnessing them brave the big waves on the screen and proudly represent their country, was priceless.
During the event, Margarita shared her excitement on Instagram, expressing, “Surfing in front of this iconic rock is a dream come true. Thanks for each message and show of support.” The competition spot, renowned for its challenging waves, provided a thrilling backdrop for the athletes.
Both Margarita and Marcela are locals to a Colombian surf town called Puerto Colombia, where the waves are more modest and they face the challenge of training for larger swells. Yet, they rose to the occasion brilliantly.
Margarita's standout moment came when she scored an impressive 7.67 on a wave, a feat that drew cheers from supporters both on the beach and back home.
Marcela, too, shone brightly, advancing to the second round by surpassing competitors from Guatemala and Ireland. Her social media post reflected her determination: “With the Colombian heart in my heart, I face my fears and challenge myself to improve, always driven by passion and determination.”
The championship concluded on a high note for the Colombian team, now ranked 20th in the world, surpassing traditional surf powerhouses like El Salvador and Spain. Individually, both Margarita and Marcela improved their world rankings.
Beyond the rankings and scores. The two athletes enjoyed an unforgettable, truly transformative experience, which is what Olana is looking to facilitate.
Congratulations to Marcela and Margarita for breaking barriers and for being an inspiration to other surf girls and women in Colombia!