ALSi GIRLS
Team Riders
Mia Calderon
Mia Calderon, hailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico, is a versatile athlete who transitioned from gymnastics, soccer, and basketball to surfing at age 12, inspired by her father. Now studying at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayagüez, Mia loves protecting the ocean that allows her to surf and is the VP for the Surfridder Foundation at the university. Mia has made waves in the surf community, earning various features on Surfline's Instagram and landing the cover of Waxd magazine. She proudly represents her iSLA and has attended the ISA world surfing games, the Alas tour and the Pan American games.
@miaacalderon
Anais Mendoza
Anais Mendoza, from Aguada, Puerto Rico, discovered the ocean's pull at 10, inspired by her mother’s boogie boarding. Not wanting to be left on the shore, she joined the waves and began competing at 15. Captivated by the power of Aguada’s big waves and the pros who surfed them, Anais embraced surfing. Her journey led her to win silver in the women’s Bodyboard competition at the 2023 Central American and Caribbean Games. She now hones her craft under the guidance of 2x World Champion, Jared Houston, with Hallows and Margara as her favorite surf spots.
@anais_mendozaaa
Nimsay Garcia
Nimsay Garcia, from Patillas, Puerto Rico, has been competing professionally in paddleboarding for 10 years. Her journey began in 2014 at the Puerto Rican National Games, where she discovered her passion for the sport. Winning competitions fueled her desire to take paddleboarding beyond a hobby. With dreams of representing her iSLA in world championships, panamerican surf games, and more, Nimsay sees ALSi as her extended family, a source of support and inspiration to always give her best, both in and out of the water.
@__nimsaygarcia
Emilia Huminski Canals
Emilia Huminski Canals, from Rincón, Puerto Rico, was raised in a surfing family known for their environmental activism across the island. Starting on a boogie board with her mom at age 6, Emilia found her true passion in longboarding, captivated by the way it allows her to flow gracefully with the waves. Now a proud member of the national longboarding team, she recently represented Puerto Rico in the ISA World Longboard Championship, proudly raising Puerto Rico’s flag. Emilias favorite surf spots are non-other than Marias and Domes in Rincón, where she will continue to dedicate herself as she aspires to qualify for the 2028 Olympics.
@emilia.h.c
Olivia Cruz
Olivia Cruz, from the west side of Puerto Rico, grew up in the sport thanks to her father's, Jesse Cruz, influence. Olivia, along with her sister practiced jujitsu and surfing since as long as they can remember but decided to focus on mainly on surfing as the years went by. Representing her iSLA in the ISA World Junior Championships, she’s competed in El Salvador and Rio de Janeiro, advancing to the third round in Brazil. Recently recognized by the Puerto Rican Senate for her accomplishments, Olivia continues to push her limits, supported by her family, coach, and sponsors like ALS. Olivia carries her island’s pride with her in every wave she rides and aspires to have a carrer in surfing.
@oliviacruz_e
Ema Cruz
Emma Cruz, born and raised in Isabela, Puerto Rico, has been surfing for as long as she can remember, after first practicing jiu-jitsu in her early years and later focusing solely on surfing. Ema has accomplished representing Puerto Rico at the ISA World Junior Surfing Championships, a dream come true as she is proud of the dedication she has poured into her craft. Grateful for the support of her family and coaches, Emma competes with a deep sense of pride for her iSLA and a passion to inspire others. Ema values the supportive female community ALSi has fostered and hopes to reach her goals side by side with her female colleagues.
@emacruz787
Annabella Lopez
Annabella Lopez, from Isabela, Puerto Rico, found her love for surfing by watching her older brother surf at Jobos Beach. At just 6, she followed her family into the waves and that same year won her first competition, igniting a lifelong passion. By 14, she committed fully to surfing, drawn to the adrenaline of big waves and the risk they carry. Representing Puerto Rico in ISA World Junior Surf Games and the Panamerican Games, she finds strength in the ALSi girls, inspired by their shared journey. A shoulder injury led her to rediscover writing and the importance of mental and physical resilience, further deepening her love for the ocean and her sport. Her ultimate dream is to one day represent her iSLA in the Olympics.
​
@bellasurfpr
Faviola Alcala
Faviola Alcala, a goofy footer from San Juan, Puerto Rico, has been competitively surfing since she was 9 years old. Her journey began at age 6, inspired by her brother’s surfing lessons and her early days on a boogie board. After choosing to focus solely on surfing over soccer, Faviola has traveled the world, catching waves in Hawaii, Japan, Mexico, El Salvador, and Barbados. She’s earned top spots in major competitions, including 10th in the North American WSL Junior and 33rd in the QS, all while running her own apparel brand, Scrippy Co. She has been featured on Surfline with a shot by pro photographer Jorgito Rivera,Faviola shining her brightest when she's having fun in the water.
@faviolaalcala
Maya Karl
Maya Karl is redefining the surfer stereotype, balancing competitive surfing with academic ambition. Though quite humble, Karl is a pro surfer at just 18 years old, and is sponsored by big league brands like Volcom, Avasol, Timmy Patterson Surfboards and ALSi. Raised between Rockaway and Rincón, Puerto Rico, she began surfing seriously at 12 after Hurricane Maria, but saw exponential growth in her surfing during COVID were she dedicated to training. Maya has achieved remarkable feats, in competitive surfing and now, she’s heading to Cal Poly to study business while competing with their top-ranked surf team. Her mentors, Will and Cliff Skudin of Skudin Surf, were pivotal, not only to her growth as a surfer, but as a human being. She started attending their Rockaway summer camp at six, learning not just how to surf, but crucial skills in surf etiquette, ocean safety, and motivating other. Maya aims to elevate surfing into a collegiate-level sport while continuing to thrive in competitions.
@mayakarl_