THE ISA WORLD MASTERS SURFING CHAMPIONSHIP IS OFFICIALLY OPEN

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ISA President Fernando Aguerre along with Minister of Sport Jose Franciso Cevallos and the Governor of Santa Elena John Paul Soto Garcia amongst the flags of the National Teams declared the 2013 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship officially open. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

20 National Delegations Marched Through the Streets and Beaches of Montañita in front of Thousands of Locals during the Opening Ceremony.

The 2013 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship was officially inaugurated Saturday, April 6, 2013. In attendance were the 20 countries that traveled to Ecuador from every corner of the world. Local authorities, officials and thousands of enthusiastic locals were witnesses to the start of the World Championship.

The National Delegations congregated in the heart of Montañita and walked through the streets that were filled with local supporters. The Parade of Nations route then took a turn to the beach and finished at the Concha Acustica stage that was located adjacent to the ocean. When arriving to the main stage, each flag bearer waving their national flag, poured sand from their local beach into a glass container symbolizing the peaceful gathering of nations through the love of surfing.

“I am very happy to see the love Ecuador’s people for the ocean, and I have high hopes for this championship and that it marks the relationship between people and the ocean,” remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “Montañita is a wonderful place, it’s an incredible paradise. Take care of it and give it your love. Thank you Ecuador, Santa Elena, Montañita, the government, the private sector and the people of Ecuador. Thank you for having us.”

“What happiness and joy it brings me to be back in my land and know the pride that we feel for once again organizing an event of this magnitude and transmit to the world that we are capable of organizing and executing in a successful way,” said Ecuador’s Minister of Sport Jose Francisco Cevallos. “Thank you very much to all the support that has been given to this magnificent event.”

After a beautiful showcase local Ecuadorian traditional dances, President Aguerre Minister Cevallos, and Governor of Santa Elena John Paul Soto officially declared open the 2013 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship open.

Following the Opening Ceremony, a national monument was inaugurated. A 7-meter (22 feet) sculpture of a surfer was unveiled. This sculpture was made to mark Montañita as an international surfing destination.

Competition starts on Sunday with the morning show at 7:40am (local time) followed by Qualify 1 of Grand Masters at 8am, Qualify 1 of Masters at 11am, and Qualify 1 of Kahunas at 2:20pm.

Here is the schedule:
Sunday, 7:40am Montañita, Ecuador
Sunday, 5:40am West Coast USA
Sunday, 2:40pm Western Europe
Sunday, 11:40pm Sydney, Australia

Live webcast of the entire championship is available on www.isawmsc.com