After a few days of relax, the Mexican charger Angelo Lozano is getting ready for the “O’Neill Sebastian Inlet Pro”, the first event of the WQS calendar that will take place on January 12-18 at Sebastian Inlet, Florida (USA).

The member of the Squalo Team will start the competition in round 128, where he will be battling with Gabriel Villarán (Peru) and Manuel Selman (Chile). These two Latin surfers are also Lozano’s mates in the Red Bull team.

Immediately after the Sebastian Inlet, Angelo will fly to Peru to compete in the “Copa MoviStar”, a two-stars event of the WQS tour that will also set the beginning of the ALAS tour 2009. The first stage of the ALAS tour 2009, organized by the Latin American Professional Surfers Association, will be carried out at San Bartolo’s waves.

“I’m eager to come back, this year I will start with the first two stages of the QS, with the first stage of the ALAS tour. I will have a better position this year in the ALAS because I got there as the Top 8. I will look for more this year and I hope I’ll get the results I expect”, said the Mexican surfer from Puerto Escondido to Surfpress.

Here is a detailed list of the first five events where Angelo will be participating:

• Jan 12-18 – “O´Neill Sebastian Inlet Pro, presented by Ron Jon” – Sebastian Inlet – Florida – USA – WQS ****
• Jan 22-25 – “Copa Movistar presented by Rip Curl and Samsung” – San Bartolo – Peru – WQS **
• Jan 22-25 – “Copa Movistar presented by Rip Curl and Samsung” – San Bartolo – Peru – ALAS ******
• Feb 9-15 – “Hang Loose Pro” – Fernando de Noronha- Brasil – WQS *****
• Feb 18-22 – “Reef Classic Chile” – Reñaca – Chile- ALAS ******

SURFOS’ “CREMA DE LATINOS”

Surfos Magazine will celebrate its 50th edition on its next number with the presentation of “Crema de Latinos”. A trip with the best Latin surfers –Lozano is among them- in the best Costa Rican spots.

“Crema de Latinos was a very good way of closing last year, with several days of surfing, friendship and good energy with the boys. We did good photos, and the organization of the trip was perfect. One more time, Surfos was great with us in Costa Rica…”

Know more about Angelo Lozano on: www.angelolozano.com.mx – www.angelolozano.blogspot.com

Ángelo Lozano is sponsored by: SQUALO – RED BULL –LINDEN SURFBOARDS – DC SHOES – FCS – BLACK FLYS – HYPER FLEX WETSUITS – BAJA BOARD HOUSE.

2008 will be a year difficult to forget for Angelo Lozano, the Mexican surfer finished the year with a triumph on the PXM Vans International Pro, a classic WQS that is organized every year at his home, Puerto Escondido. As he is preparing himself for the Classic Latin Pro Costa Rica, which is the last stage of the ALAS tour organized by the Latin American Professional Surfers Association, Lozano is enjoying his big moment as the local hero.

The member of the Squalo team has been showing his talent and knowledge of the Mexican Pipe from some time now, and photographer Scott Aichner has captured some of these great moments that were published in some of the most  prestigious surfing magazines.

Surfpress talked to Angelo Lozano a few days before he travelled to Costa Rica, here are some parts of our interview with the surfer in the spotlight.

How would you describe 2008 after your triumph in the PXM?
A very good year, I have dreamed with winning this tournament since I was a kid and I didn’t imagine it would be a WQS three stars the year I would win it, it was better than I thought.

Which are the things that you would reconsider or change for 2009 after this triumph?
I will participate in more WQS and ALAS events that I can.

Which are your goals for 2009?
I would like to improve my WQS and ALAS ranking, and also the ranking in the national circuit, ah! And I also want to do a good job in Costa Rica’s ISA world championship.

Which is your goal for the ALAS tour this year?
I want to finish on the top 8 to have the best possible seeding for next year.

This year you have been greatly exposed in the most prestigious media like Surfer, Surfline, Fluir Magazine, Water Magazine, Surfer Annual Photo Issue, and others, how do you deal with it and what does this represent to you?
Well it was part luck and also commitment. I worked hard this year and thank god it was worth it.

When are you planning to show your talent in Hawaii?
I would like to go at the end of this year or at the beginning of next year.

What do you think is missing in Mexican surfers in general to be strong in the QS?
To have the support for doing them.

How did your boards work during the whole year?
They worked fine, it is very important to have good boards and a good number of them when you are competing and travelling.

Which was your best freesurf moment of the year? Where and why?
It was in the wave season at Puerto this year, this was the most productive moment of the year, it was there where Scott Aichner took the photos for the magazines. But the north of Peru with its small waves was also pretty fun and productive, and also Dominican Republic and G-Land.

Which are your plans for the first part of 2009?
I want to be in the important WQS´s and ALAS, I will have to combine them.

With this two triumphs, one in the ALAS tour and one in the QS, would you say 2008 was an excellent first year in the Open division?
Yes, I’m really happy for how things have worked out, I had great expectations for this year, it was not quiet exactly the same as I thought it would be, but it was very rewarding in a different way.

While the Puerto Escondido waves are about to open the southern swells season, the local surfers enjoyed a good swell at Zicatela. Angelo Lozano, from Puerto Escondido is getting ready for his next commitments while he enjoys some good waves at home.

Lozano, Squalo team member and brand new Red Bull athlete, talked to Surfpress about his future plans, the beginning of the ASP tour and his results in the ALAS tour.

“We had a good 10 to 12 feet swell. Something like five meter waves. I got a good left. Two days after that, we had a great three meters waves, perfect and exciting. Those are the two days I will remember. We had some other days but the conditions weren’t the best. Nevertheless, the season is just beginning.”

Nationally, you had a good performance, but, how important it is for an international surfer like you, to remain in the national tour?
It’s important for me because it’s important to my main sponsor, Squalo. Mexico is its main market so it is our responsibility to stand out in Mexican events.

What did you like about the first part of the ALAS tour, and what do you think should be improved?
I enjoyed having man to man heats, to warm up for the second part of the year. And definitely, I must get better results. I felt good during the first stage of the tour, but I lost 4 out of the 5 times I competed and it was because I made technical mistakes.

What’s your opinion about this first year as a 100% Open competitor in the ALAS?
I’m not comfortable with my results. I got four ninths and a 25th in Ecuador. With five events I’m tenth in the ratings. I’m way too far from my expectations for this year in the ALAS. The good thing is that there are still several events left and I’m training hard, so I hope I’ll improve my position.

Lozano had planned to compete in a stage of the QS that will take place at Oceanside (California), the Koastalkaos.com Pro, but he won’t be able to do so due to a misunderstanding with the ASP managers.
“I have some points, because of last year ASP tour, because I had paid the membership and registration for a PRO Jr. event in California but I didn’t compete there. So the credits you don’t use one year, you may use it the next year. I told the ASP that I wanted to use my credits for the WQS event at Oceanside. The credits only cover U$S200 for the membership of the event and I had to pay U$S150 for registration that I already paid with time to spare. But when the time came I wasn’t registered in the event. I called the ASP at once and they told me that I didn’t pay the membership fee. I reminded them that I had the membership covered by last year’s credits. They apologized to me but there was no time to include me among the competitors.”

Which other QS events will you participate in?
There’re two events in California on September, and one at Ensenada on October and another one on November at Puerto.

Have you planned any surf trips for 2008?
I want to go to Nicaragua with the photographer Jeff Farsai, who shot a picture of me that was published on the last edition of Water Magazine. We want to travel in June although it’s not sure. If I can’t go to Nicaragua I will travel to Austria where Red Bull has a training center. I’m also planning to visit Indonesia on August. At home, I always ride around Puerto; it’s like any other good surf trip.

How was the beginning of the WCT? Who do you think are the favourites this year?
The opening was spectacular! Kelly has won again the first two events, and a few hours ago he has won his third event out of four in 2008. He is my favourite and I think he has very good chances of winning again this year, for the ninth time. Nevertheless, Mick, Parko, Andy and CJ will be tough competitors for him.

Ángelo Lozano is sponsored by: SQUALO – RED BULL – LINDEN SURFBOARDS –FCS – BLACK FLYS – HYPER FLEX WETSUITS – BAJA BOARD HOUSE.

Ángelo Lozano became the big winner on the second stage of the American Cup that took place last weekend at Bonfil Beach, Acapulco. The surfer from Puerto Escondido beat Jose Manuel “Yuco” Trujillo, who was the favourite, in the final.

“It was a very good event, with a great level and a lot of surfers who were eager to win. This was the second stage of the American Cup and it was a good opportunity to obtain good results for the ranking. I felt great during the whole event, I was focused on my performance and tried not to feel under a lot of pressure. Bonfil’s wave is fun and easy to ride, I like it a lot. I had been there two years ago for an Open final but I couldn’t win that time.

“The event had a man to man modality from the second round onwards, that’s why it was highly competitive, just what I wanted. There were some final heats from the round prior to the quarterfinals. I had very good waves in the final and I took advantage of that….I had to compete against the local and favourite surfer, Yuco “Flow” Trujillo, a great friend. It was a 30 minutes final lots of fun but really exhausting. Besides it was a special triumph because I was the only Red Bull surfer on a Monster event competing against a lot of athletes from its team”.

Ángelo beat his cousin Cristian Corzo on the semifinal. Corzo, who is also Ángelo’s friend and his mate during the trips for the Latin tour, had won the Surf Music Festival at Puerto Escondido. Later on, Lozano competed against his friend “Yuco” in the final, as he did last year during the Mexican stage of the ALAS.

With this result, the Squalo team member, went to the top of the ranking. He was second after the first stage of the American Cup following champion Dylan Southworth.

On the next few days, Ángelo will come back to Puerto Escondido to participate in the first national competition of the Mexican Surfing Federation which will take place at Río Nexpa, Michoacán.

“This year my priority is the national tour, I want to be sure that my team will go to 2010 World Championship. My idea is to be part of the national team and to fight for one of the medals on that competition”, explained Lozano to Surfpress on a telephone conversation.

BAD RECEPTION

The presentation of “Bad Reception” took place last week in Panama. This DVD production gathered together some famous surfers like Fred Patacchia, Dane Reynolds and Tom Curren, with Latin surfers like Ángelo Lozano, Martín Passeri, Gabriel Villarán, Diego Cadena, Gary Saavedra, Cristian Corzo and Gabriel Aramburu among others. Mr. Lozano can be seen on the film doing what he knows to do best on Mexican waves.

Ángelo Lozano is sponsored by: SQUALO – RED BULL – LINDEN SURFBOARDS –FCS – BLACK FLYS – HYPER FLEX WETSUITS – BAJA BOARD HOUSE.

A few days ago, the Mexican surfer Angelo Lozano became part of the Red Bull team. This is a big moment on Lozano’s career who is very proud of being part of the prestigious team this famous trade mark represents.

The Squalo team member was very happy for his new incorporation to Red Bull’s team. The team is already integrated by Carlos “Coco” Nogales, the real Zicaleta’s godfather.

“The truth is that I’m really happy. I’ve been talking to them for a long time but we hadn’t come to an agreement till now. Red Bull is an exclusive trade mark, I respect them a lot and it’s an honour to be part of the family. That also implies much more work and I think that will bring good results for both of us. As regards the plans we have with Red Bull, we will focus on competitions around the country and abroad, and some surf trips, which is my favourite part”.

SURF MUSIC FESTIVAL AT PUERTO ESCONDIDO

Next weekend Angelo Lozano will compete in Puerto Escondido Surf Music Festival, at Zicatela Beach. The event will take place from March, 20 to 22 and it will gather together the best aztec surfers.

“This event should be a real celebration to Mexican surfing. The sport is growing a lot in my country and this kind of events are pretty good to encourage surfing. Personally, I feel great, I’ve been training a lot in the north of Peru and I’m prepared to show a great performance”, said Angelo Lozano to Surfpress on a telephone conversation.

Lozano is on a great professional moment. He has won the Air Show during the Reef Classic Chile on February at Reñaca. Besides he just made a surf trip by the north of Peru.

Angelo Lozano is sponsored by: SQUALO – RED BULL – LINDEN SURFBOARDS –FCS – BLACK FLYS – HYPER FLEX WETSUITS – BAJA BOARD HOUSE.

Angelo Lozano is in Montañita, Ecuador, where the Reef Classic Ecuador, third stage of the ALAS tour 08, is taking place. This surfer from Puerto Escondido, Mexico, has already participated in the other two previous stages of the tour in Argentina and Peru.

“Montañita has a very good waves, I hope the conditions to be fine so I can get a good result and climb up in the ranking”, said Lozano on a telephone conversation to Surfpress.

Lozano finished the Reef Classic Argentina on the ninth position, and obtained the same position last weekend in Punta Rocas, Peru.

The Mexican will continue his trip next week in Chile, where the fourth Reef Classic of the year will be carried on. There, he will try to repeat his last year’s performance at Reñaca, when he won the Pro Junior division.

Angelo Lozano is sponsored by: SQUALO – LINDEN SURFBOARDS –FCS – BLACK FLYS – HYPER FLEX WETSUITS – BAJA BOARD HOUSE.

Angelo Lozano is now prepared for the second stage of the ALAS tour after a busy January. The surfer from Puerto Escondido will be visiting Peru, Ecuador and Chile during February.

The upcoming Reef Classic will take place in Peru, the Squalo team member will compete for the second time this year in the ALAS tour at Punta Roca’s waves. He first participated in the Reef Classic Argentina during the second weekend of January at Mar del Plata where he placed ninth.

A week after that, the third stage of the Latin tour will be carried out at Montañita, Ecuador. Whereas the fourth Reef Classic will take place at Reñaca seven days later.

“I’ve been training a lot for the next competitions, I know those waves pretty well and that’s a good thing for me. I hope to do my best and to obtain a better position on the ranking. This will be an intense year and this is just the beginning”, said a peaceful Angelo Lozano.

A FLYING START

The first stage of the Americas’ Cup Pro-Am Tour took place in Cancun. There, Angelo Lozano placed second following Dylan Southworth. Diego Cadena got the third position and Heriberto Ramírez was fourth.

“This will be an important tour for Mexican surfing. Next stage will be carried out on March at Acapulco, Guerrero and I’ll be there. This is a great idea to promote surfing as one of the most important sports of the country”.

Angelo Lozano is sponsored by: SQUALO – LINDEN SURFBOARDS –FCS – BLACK FLYS – HYPER FLEX WETSUITS – BAJA BOARD HOUSE.