In just a few days, the world-class reef break in Santa Catalina, Panama will receive the world’s best surfers from over 25 National Teams to compete in the 2013 Reef ISA World Surfing Games. Photo: Philippe Demarsan
From May 4-12, Panama will become the gathering place of the world’s best surfers, who will compete in the 2013 Reef ISA World Surfing Games (WSG) in the perfect reef break in Santa Catalina.
The 2013 Reef ISA WSG begins in less than two weeks. Over 25 countries from all corners of the planet and 150 men and women surfers will soon arrive to the beautiful and tropical country of Panama, it’s great waves, warm weather and welcoming people.
These are the ten things you need to know about the 2013 Reef ISA WSG:
1. The Event
The 2013 Reef ISA World Surfing Games will gather 25 National Delegations from every corner of the world, who will gather to compete for their National Team in an “Olympic-Style” event. The surfers compete for medals and the honor of representing their respective countries.
2. The Competition
The 2013 Reef ISA World Surfing Games is a team competition with individual Men’s and Women’s divisions. Each National Team includes 4 Open Men’s and 2 Open Women’s competitors.
Up until the last ISA World Surfing Games in Playa Venao, Panama in 2011, the WSG included a Longboard division, but starting this year, this division will have its own ISA World Championship, in Huanchaco, Peru in September.
Australia made it back to the top of the podium after a three year absence. The team celebrates while holding the Fernando Aguerre World Team Trophy as Panama’s President, Ricardo Martinelli (far left) looks on. Photo: ISA/Watts
3. The Champions
2011 Team Medalists
Gold: Australia
Silver: Brazil
Bronze: France
Copper: Argentina
Individual Places
Open Men’s Division
Gold: Santiago Muniz (ARG)
Silver: Mick Campbell (AUS)
Bronze: Thomas Woods (AUS)
Copper: Ian Gouveia (BRA)
Open Women’s division
Gold: Cannelle Bulard (FRA)
Silver: Sofia Mulanovich (PER)
Bronze: Jessi Miley-Dyer (AUS)
Copper: Dimity Stoyle (AUS)
4. The Venue
Panama is the southernmost country of Central America, bordered to the north by the Caribbean Sea, to the south by the Pacific Ocean, to the east by Colombia and to the west by Costa Rica. Its early status as a transit country with its famous Panama Canal, has allowed Panama to become a meeting point of cultures from around the globe.
Santa Catalina is a quiet surf town located in the Province of Veraguas and is home to several hundred people who lead simple lives, many as fishermen.
Besides surfing, Santa Catalina is also known for its sport fishing, diving and snorkeling. It’s also the departure point for Coiba Island, a National Park that covers over 430,000 acres, making it one of the largest marine parks in the world.
5. The Wave
The wave is world-class. It breaks along a shallow reef that creates a perfect right-hand powerful and hollow wave. Santa Catalina handles solid swells in the 8-12 feet range.
The event was scheduled to take place during the active Southern Hemisphere swell season that produces great waves for the region. Santa Catalina will provide a long right with an incredible barrel section. The main wave is located approximately 300 meters from shore, so you can get there paddling or by boat. It is a break that picks up sizeable waves in any type of swell coming mainly from the south or southwest.
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.
Additionally, in celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the discovery of the Pacific Ocean, the World Team Champion will be awarded the “Copa V Centenario Del Descubrimiento Del Oceano Pacifico,” or 5th Century Cup of the Discovery of the Pacific Ocean. This commemorative trophy marks the discovery of the Pacific Ocean during the colonial era by the Conquistador Vasco Núñez de Balboa.
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 2013 Reef ISA WSG will officially open on May 4 with the traditional ISA Opening Ceremony, which will include the Parade of the Nations and Sands of the World Ceremony.
The Parade of the Nations is a colorful and energy-filled event, complete with teams chanting, waving flags and the cheering of the locals who come out to watch the spectacle.
The Sands of the World Ceremony symbolizes the true fraternal spirit that bonds together all members of the global surfing tribe. The union of the countries of the world in this Ceremony is symbolized through the mixing of the sands from the shores of all participating National Delegations, showcasing the ISA desire for a better and peaceful world.
Important Dates
May 4: Opening Ceremony, Parade of Nations, Sands of the World Ceremony and Official Press Conference.
May 5: Competition Begins
May 12: Final day of competition, Awards Presentation and Closing Ceremony
9. The Mission
The ISA’s mission is to develop the sport of surfing in Panama and around the world. This is accomplished through annual World Championships, membership development, educational programs, scholarship distribution and working towards Olympic Surfing.
The ISA is fulfilling its mission as it has previously held three very successful World Championships in Panama including the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in Playa Venao in 2012, the ISA World Surfing Games in Playa Venao in 2011, and the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship in Santa Catalina in 2010.
10. The Support
The 2013 Reef ISA WSG is the fourth event in a row hosted by Panama with the full support of the country’s President, Ricardo Martinelli and the Ministry of Tourism, led by Salomon Shamah. The Panamanian Ministry of Tourism is once again supporting an ISA event in the country for a 4th year in a row. Reef, a leading surfing brand, is also supporting this year’s event and the ISA’s cause for a better surfing future. The Province of Veraguas has opened its arms welcoming all the surfers.
Follow all of the action live on the official event website www.ISAWSG.com
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the World Governing Authority for Surfing. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running the Open Division World Championship since 1964, the World Junior Surfing Championship since 1980, the World Masters Surfing Championship since 2007, the World Bodyboard Championship since 2011, the Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival in China, and the World Standup Paddle (SUP) and Paddleboard Championship beginning in 2012. The ISA also sanctions the World Kneeboard Titles and the World Tandem Surfing Championship, and will launch the World Longboard Championship in 2013. ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies of 73 countries on five continents. Its headquarters are located in La Jolla, California. It is presided over by Fernando Aguerre (Argentina), first elected President in 1994 in Rio de Janeiro and re-elected seven times since. The ISA’s four Vice-Presidents are Alan Atkins (AUS), Karín Sierralta (PER), Debbie Beacham (USA) and Layne Beachley (AUS).
More on www.isasurf.org
