The Dominican Republic’s national surfing team is intensifying its preparations for the XXV Central American and Caribbean Games Santo Domingo 2026, with athletes and coaches emphasizing mental discipline and technical improvement as key factors in their pursuit of medals.
During a visit to Cabarete, one of the Caribbean’s best-known surfing destinations, representatives from the Dominican Olympic Committee (COD)‘s Mission Headquarters and Technical Directorate reviewed the team’s training program and met with athletes and coaching staff to assess their progress.
Maintaining Focus Ahead of Home Games
Members of the squad said they have intentionally isolated themselves from outside distractions, choosing instead to concentrate fully on training and competition as they prepare to represent the country on home waves.
Leoni Perthold, who competed for the Dominican Republic at the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games in San Salvador, said staying mentally focused is essential in a sport where concentration can directly influence performance.
She added that previous frustrations over a perceived lack of support are now behind her and that the team feels better supported as it prepares for the regional competition.
Experienced Athletes Return to the National Team
Daniel Álvarez, who has returned to the national team after nearly two decades away, described the opportunity to compete once again for the Dominican Republic as a career highlight.
“What matters is what is happening now,” Álvarez said. “It’s a tremendous opportunity to represent our beautiful country and our beautiful island at this event, and we’re going to make the most of it.”
Building Physical and Mental Readiness
Head coach Heriberto Tinoco said keeping the athletes focused exclusively on training and competition will be critical to achieving the team’s objectives at Santo Domingo 2026.
Alongside technical training in the water, the athletes are also working with nutritionist and sports psychologist Fernanda González and strength and conditioning coach Carlos Fernández, who presented detailed reports on the team’s physical and mental preparation during the visit.
Olympic Committee Monitors Progress
Juan Febles Dalmasí, technical director of the Dominican Olympic Committee, welcomed the progress outlined by the coaching staff. He was accompanied by technical officials José Clase and Radhamés Kalaf as part of the committee’s ongoing monitoring of national sports federations preparing for the 2026 Games.
With the regional multi-sport event approaching, the Dominican surfing team hopes its disciplined preparation in Cabarete will translate into strong performances and a place on the medal podium when the country hosts the competition.