From October 24 to November 1, Peru will become the gathering place of the world’s best surfers, who will compete in the historic 2014 ISA 50th Anniversary World Surfing Games (WSG). The competition will be held at one of the most popular and consistent point breaks of the Peruvian coasts.
The ISA 50th Anniversary WSG begins in less than ten days. Over 25 countries from all corners of the planet and more than 150 men and women surfers will soon arrive to the beautiful country of Peru, its welcoming people, great food, and incredible waves.
These are the ten things you need to know about the ISA 50th Anniversary WSG:
1. The World Surfing Games
The ISA 50th Anniversary WSG will gather over 25 National Delegations from every corner of the world, who will gather to compete for their National Team in an “Olympic-Style” event. This historic competition will double up as a global celebration of the sport’s governing body hosting half a century of world-class surfing championships.
Taking place from October 24 to November 1, 2014, the ISA 50th Anniversary WSG will be held at the world-class Punta Rocas – the same location as the 1965 ISA World Surfing Championship, which was won by Peruvian local, Felipe Pomar and American Joyce Hoffman.
2. The Competition
The ISA 50th Anniversary WSG is a team competition with individual Men’s and Women’s divisions. Each National Team includes four Open Men’s and two Open Women’s competitors. The surfers compete for medals and the honor of representing their respective countries.
3. The Champions
In 1964 Midget Farrelly and Phyllis O’Donell took the inaugural event at the World Surfing Championships in Manly Beach, Australia, setting the stage for five decades of incredible moments and development. From Nat Young’s groundbreaking performance at the ’66 contest in San Diego, to a spry Tom Curren winning in ‘82, and onward to Gold Medal performances from current luminaries like Sofia Mulanovich (2004), Jordy Smith (2006), CJ Hobgood (2008), Sally Fitzgibbons (2008), Jeremy Flores (2009), and Courtney Conlogue (2009). The performances put forth within the ISA arena have helped define the progression of the sport.
2013 ISA World Surfing Games Gold Medalists:
Team:
South Africa – Gold Medal
Australia – Silver Medal
Peru – Bronze Medal
Brazil – Copper Medal
Open Men’s:
Shaun Joubert (RSA), Gold Medal
Jean Carlos “Oli” Gonzalez (PAN), Silver Medal
Cristobal de Col (PER), Bronze Medal
Russell Molony (AUS), Copper Medal
Open Women’s:
Dimity Stoyle (AUS), Gold Medal
Codie Klein (AUS), Silver Medal
Suelen Naraisa (BRA), Bronze Medal
Ella Williams (NZL), Copper Medal
4. The Venue and the Wave
Punta Rocas is located 45 Km south of Lima, the capital city of Peru, in the district of Punta Negra. Punta Rocas is considered one of the most popular and consistent point breaks of the Peruvian coasts. This region has developed some of the country’s most elite surfers such as past ISA World Champions Sofia Mulanovich and Cristobal de Col, who live just a few Kilometers north in Punta Hermosa.
This wave breaks from 5 to 15 feet high on top of a rocky bottom. It’s a powerful, fun world-class wave and in its best days can extend up to 300 meters long. Water Temperature is expected at around 16° Celsius or 61° Fahrenheit this time of year.
5. ISA 50th Anniversary Celebration
All the teams gathered in Peru will be part of the ISA 50th Anniversary Luau, where all the nations will share together the true spirit of Aloha. This gathering celebrates 50 years of developing surfing globally and its bright future, as the ISA continues to advocate for Surfing’s inclusion in the Olympic Games.
6. The Prize
The world’s best surfers will gather to compete for the Individual and Team Gold Medals, the International Olympic Committee President’s Trophy and the Fernando Aguerre World Team Trophy, named for and donated by the ISA President, who was first elected in 1994 and has been elected 7 times since.
7. The History
The ISA World Surfing Games began in 1964 under the name ISF World Championships, and were run by the International Surfing Federation, the first surfing international organization in history. In 1976, the ISF became the ISA. From their beginning and until today, the contestants in the World Championship traveled to compete as a team and to represent their nation.
8. The Schedule
The ISA 50th Anniversary WSG will officially open on October 24 with the traditional ISA Opening Ceremony, which will include the Parade of Nations and Sands of the World Ceremony.
The Parade of Nations is a colorful and energy-filled event, complete with teams chanting, waving flags and cheering of the locals who come out to watch the spectacle.
During the Sands of the World Ceremony, the participating countries will carry sand from their local beach and pour it into a glass container on stage symbolizing the peaceful gathering of nations through the love of surfing.
Important Dates:
October 23 – Official Press Conference
October 24 – Opening Ceremony: Parade of Nations and Sands of the World Ceremony.
October 25 – Competition Begins
November 1 – Final day of competition, Awards Presentation and Closing Ceremony
To watch the event promo, visit the official event website http://isawsg.com, where you will soon find photos, videos and the live webcast.
In addition to the event website, the live webcast and full coverage of the ISA 50th Anniversary WSG will be available on these major websites:
www.surfline.com
www.surfingmagazine.com
www.surfersvillage.com
www.waves.com.br
www.theinertia.com
www.surfosmagazine.com
ISA Member Nations’ Websites
9. The Mission
The ISA’s mission is to develop the sport of surfing in Peru and around the world. This is accomplished through annual World Championships, membership development, educational programs, scholarship distribution and working towards Olympic Surfing.
10. The Support
The ISA 50th Anniversary WSG will mark the 8th ISA World Championship that Peru has hosted since 1965. Not only does Peru offer incredible world-class waves throughout the country, but the nation has always welcomed the ISA and the hundreds of competitors from all around the globe with open arms and warm hearts.
The ISA 50th Anniversary WSG has been made possible thanks to the continued support from IPD (Peruvian Institute of Sports), COP (Peruvian Olympic Committee), its President Jose Quiñones, ADO (Peruvian Association of Olympic Athletes), all the sponsors, and the event organizer, Karin Sierralta and his staff.
