Day 5 of the VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (WJSC) in Ecuador was “do or die”

Huge Upsets And Incredible Action From The Point To The Beach Break With The Worlds Best Juniors

Day 5 of the VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (WJSC) in Ecuador was “do or die” for many countries and athletes, as a 3rd or 4th place in the Repechage heats meant elimination from the world’s largest junior surfing competition.

Ireland’s Gearoid Mc Daid is staying alive in the Repechage, and representing his country proudly as the

only member of Team Ireland. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

Today witnessed huge upsets. Defending Boys U-18 Gold Medalist from the 2013 ISA WJSC, Josh Moniz (HAW) was eliminated from the contest. Another casualty was one of the event favorites, Noe Mar McGonagle from Costa Rica, who came close to a Gold Medal in 2012 and was chasing after the title in his last year as a junior.

Day 4 of the VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (WJSC) featured impressive action from the world’s top junior surfers / 2014 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship

Brazil’ Edivelton Santos successfully landed a Kerrupt Flip, named after pro surfer Josh Kerr, and earned a 9.90, the highest single wave score of the contest thus far. Photo: ISA/ Michael Tweddle

Day 4 of the VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (WJSC) featured impressive action from the world’s top junior surfers. The competitors faced challenging conditions in this event, the largest Junior Surfing competition in the world with nearly 300 athletes, competing in front of two different judging podiums. Nonetheless, the talented surfers managed to post big scores with high performance aerial maneuvers.

Brazil’s Elivelton Santos posted a near perfect score of 9.90 landing a “Kerrupt Flip,” earning the highest single wave score in the contest thus far, and one of the highest total heat scores of the event with 15.57. The air performed by the Brazilian is a highly technical trick where the surfer completes an inverted air while holding both rails of the board and rotating 360 degrees in the air.

The athletes made the best of today’s variable surf on Podium 1. During the high tide, the surfers took advantage of the inside beach break, which was in the 2-3 feet range. Once the tide dropped, the outside point came alive with 150 yard-long rides, resulting in long peeling waves from the top of the point all the way to the beach.

THE WORLD’S BEST JUNIOR GIRLS TAKE OVER DAY 3 OF COMPETITION IN ECUADOR | 2014 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship

Costa Rica’s Leilani McGonagle felt right at home in the long left point break like Pavones,

and dominated her heat in the Girls U-16. Photo: Rommel Gonzales

 

On Day 3 of the VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, the world’s best junior girls took over the point at La Loberia (La FAE), in Ecuador.

Qualifying and Repechage heats took place today, and the first athletes in the World Championship were eliminated. The Repechage is a do-or-die round; if a surfer gets 3rd or 4th place, the athlete is out of the competition.

The surf conditions were challenging as the waves decreased to the 2-3 feet range. Surfline, the official forecaster, is predicting a solid swell will arrive and build through the final days of the competition, with 5-7 feet waves on the last day. However, today, most of the competitors opted for the inside beach break as the point break was inconsistent.

THE FIRST STAND-ALONE ISA WORLD LONGBOARD CHAMPIONSHIP TO TAKE PLACE THIS SEPTEMBER IN PERU - International Surfing Association

La Jolla, California, August 22, 2013- The International Surfing Association (ISA) is excited to announce the first stand-alone ISA World Longboard Championship this September at the legendary break of Huanchaco, Trujillo, Peru. More; THE FIRST STAND-ALONE ISA WORLD LONGBOARD CHAMPIONSHIP TO TAKE PLACE THIS SEPTEMBER IN PERU - International Surfing Association

TEAM AUSTRALIA WINS THE 2013 DAKINE ISA WORLD JUNIOR SURFING CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY BILLABONG IN NICARAGUA

Following an amazing Final Day of great waves and exciting surfing performances, the 2013 DAKINE ISA World Junior Surfing Championship Presented by Billabong officially closed.

Team Australia is the new ISA World Junior Surfing Championship Gold Medal Team and winners of the Team Champion Trophy.

In the individual divisions, Hawaii’s Josh Moniz won the Boys Under-18, Hawaii’s Tatiana Weston-Webb won the Girls Under-18, Australia’s Jacob Wilcox won the Boys Under-16, and Hawaii’s Mahina Maeda won the Girls Under-16 in the incredible waves at Playa Jiquiliste.  More; TEAM AUSTRALIA WINS THE 2013 DAKINE ISA WORLD JUNIOR SURFING CHAMPIONSHIP PRESENTED BY BILLABONG IN NICARAGUA » 2013 Dakine ISA World Junior Surfing Championship , June 8- 16, Jiquiliste Beach, Nicaragua.

And The Winner Is... Nicaragua; Venue For 2014 ISA World SUP Champs Officially Announced | SUPracer.com

The International Surfing Association (ISA) has just announced the location for the 2014 World Stand Up Paddle and Paddleboard Championship… Nicaragua.

After the first two editions of this event were held in Peru, we’re heading back to South America again next year for the third instalment. The announcement was made today and although dates aren’t confirmed, we can expect the event to run in late February. More; And The Winner Is... Nicaragua; Venue For 2014 ISA World SUP Champs Officially Announced | SUPracer.com

CRITICAL DAY OF COMPETITION IN NICARAGUA AS THE FINAL DAY APPROACHES » 2013 Dakine ISA World Junior Surfing Championship

Today was a critical day of competition at the 2013 DAKINE ISA World Junior Surfing Championship Presented by Billabong. After a day filled with Qualifying and Repechage heats, every heat is more important than ever. If one country loses one athlete, it can mean the end to their Gold Medal dreams.

Germany’s Leon Glatzer put on an impressive performance punting a huge air and earning one of the highest scores of the day advancing to the Boys under-16 Qualifying Final. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

The famous Nicaraguan offshore wind continued to blow all day, although the surf was a bit smaller in the 3-4ft range.

Big surprises came from Team Germany, Italy and Costa Rica as their athletes have advanced into the last stages of competition.

The ISA’s mission of developing surfing globally is flourishing as athletes from non-traditional surfing nations are earning their spots in the final days of competition. 

Read more; CRITICAL DAY OF COMPETITION IN NICARAGUA AS THE FINAL DAY APPROACHES » 2013 Dakine ISA World Junior Surfing Championship , June 8- 16, Jiquiliste Beach, Nicaragua.

The Surf Continues To Pump at the DAKINE ISA World Junior Surfing Championship

As the DAKINE ISA World Junior Surfing Championship approaches its final days of competition, the race for the Gold Medals and Team Champion Trophy intensified.

With the help of Koa Smith, the defending Team Champion, Hawaii, is holding on to the lead heading into the final three days of the DAKINE ISA World Junior Surfing Championship. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

 The surf continued to pump in the 3-4 foot range, with many overhead sets, and with Nicaragua’s legendary offshore wind blowing from dawn till dusk, for the fourth day in a row.

After 5 days of competition, the defending Team Champion, Team Hawaii, is leading the charge as they have not lost a single athlete yet.

Following close behind is Team Australia, which has only lost one athlete. Currently, in third is Team France followed by USA, Peru, South Africa, Brazil, and Japan.

PERFECT 10’S AND EPIC WAVES FOR THE WORLD’S BEST JUNIORS IN NICARAGUA

Nicaragua delivers epic surf for Day 4 of the DAKINE ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (WJSC). The swell, as predicted by Surfline, arrived this morning with waves in the chest to head-high range with some overhead sets.

Australia’s Kai Hing earned the first perfect 10-point ride of the DAKINE ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in Playa Jiquiliste, Nicaragua. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

The first perfect 10-point ride of the event was awarded to Australia’s Kai Hing, who launched a huge air-360. Hing generated great speed down the line and as he approached the closed-out section, he took flight, rotated 360 degrees in the air, and landed perfectly.

The morning started with clean conditions and calm offshore winds. The tide was low and the waves were hollow. As the tide increased throughout the day, the offshore winds got stronger and the surf got even better. The surfers were getting barreled, launching huge airs and doing powerful turns.

Read more; PERFECT 10’S AND EPIC WAVES FOR THE WORLD’S BEST JUNIORS IN NICARAGUA » 2013 Dakine ISA World Junior Surfing Championship , June 8- 16, Jiquiliste Beach, Nicaragua.

NICARAGUA KEEPS DELIVERING INCREDIBLE WAVES DURING DAY 3 OF COMPETITION

Amazing surfing continued during Day 3 of the DAKINE ISA World Junior Surfing Championship Presented by Billabong as Nicaragua’s offshore wind prevailed all day long.

Competition intensified as the first Repechage Rounds took place today. This is a do-or-die round, if a surfer gets 3rd or 4th place, the athlete is out of the contest.

“The competition is reaching its critical stages, when athletes can’t afford to lose or they will go home,” remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “The camaraderie between all the National Teams and the local Nicaraguans has created a great vibe amongst the surfing tribe. The waves are amazing; Nicaragua is truly a surfer’s paradise. Stay tuned all week and don’t miss a minute of the live webcast.”

Today showcased Qualifying and Repechage rounds of the world’s best under-18 and under-16 Boys and Girls with great waves in the 3-5ft range with occasional bigger sets.

GREAT SURF CONTINUES IN NICARAGUA WITH EXCELLENT PERFORMANCES BY THE WORLD’S BEST JUNIORS

Day 2 of the DAKINE ISA World Junior Championship Presented by Billabong kicked off with the typical Nicaraguan offshore wind and amazing waves that continued the whole day.

Larissa Santos from Brazil, with powerful, maneuvers like this, was one of the Under-16 Girls standouts of the day. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

Today showcased the opening Qualifying Round of the world’s best Under-18 and Under-16 Girls, who demonstrated their stellar talent, while the Under-18 and Under-16 Boys competed in both the Qualifying and Repechage Rounds with great 4-6 foot waves in Playa Jiquiliste, Nicaragua

“Today was an amazing day of competition. The waves were incredible,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “I was up at 5:30am surfing Popopyo, a very nice wave and also at Pangas, but it was not as good as it is here at Playa Jiquiliste. Although the waves are a bit smaller today, they are still excellent, and the boys and girls are surfing very well. Stay with us, and if you are not watching the live webcast, you are missing out.”

EXCELLENT CONDITIONS FOR DAY 1 OF THE DAKINE ISA WORLD JUNIOR SURFING CHAMPIONSHIP IN NICARAGUA

The World’s Best Under-18 Surfers from 30 countries Put on Amazing Display in the Solid Waves of Playa Jiquiliste.

The DAKINE ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (WJSC) Presented by Billabong kicked off Sunday with incredible surf in beautiful Playa Jiquiliste, Nicaragua. The competitors were greeted with great conditions and the famous Nicaraguan offshore winds, which provided a spectacular stage for the world’s best junior surfers.

 

USA’s Jake Marshall took advantage of today’s spectacular conditions, advancing with a 1st place in the opening round. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

 A large Sunday crowd of Nicaraguans fans, team officials and supporters, witnessed the fierce competition from the beachfront grandstands built in Jiquiliste Beach for the ISA World Junior Championship. 

EXCELLENT CONDITIONS FOR DAY 1 OF THE DAKINE ISA WORLD JUNIOR SURFING CHAMPIONSHIP IN NICARAGUA » 2013 Dakine ISA World Junior Surfing Championship , June 8- 16, Jiquiliste Beach, Nicaragua.

NICARAGUA TO HOST THE 2013 DAKINE ISA WORLD JUNIOR SURFING CHAMPIONSHIPPRESENTED BY BILLABONG

DAKINE ISA World Junior Surfing Championship Presented by Billabong
June 8-16
Playa Jiquiliste, Nicaragua

La Jolla, California, May 24, 2013- The International Surfing Association (ISA) is excited to announce the ISA will be returning to Nicaragua for the second year in a row for the 2013 DAKINE ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (WJSC) Presented by Billabong from June 8-16.

 

Nicaragua last hosted the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship in Playa Colorado in 2012.

The most important Junior event in the world has the full support of Nicaragua’s President, Daniel Ortega, and the country’s Minister of Tourism, Mayra Salinas Uriarte.

TEAM SOUTH AFRICA WINS THE 2013 REEF ISA WORLD SURFING GAMES IN PANAMA

South Africa’s Shaun Joubert Wins the Open Men’s and Australia’s Dimity Stoyle Wins the Open Women’s in Incredible Waves at Santa Catalina

Following an incredible Final Day of great waves and tremendous surfing performances, the 2013 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship officially closed.

Team South Africa, the 2013 Reef ISA World Surfing Games Team Champions, holding the Fernando Aguerre World Team Champions Trophy and IOC President’s Trophy. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

Team South Africa is the new 2013 Reef ISA World Surfing Games Team Champion. South Africans is the winner of the Fernando Aguerre World Team Champion Trophy, named and donated by the long-time ISA President who was first elected in 1994 and has been diligently working on fulfilling the ISA’s mission of developing the sport of surfing around the world.

Additionally, the Team Champion received the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President’s Trophy and the “Copa V Centenario Del Descubrimiento Del Oceano Pacifico,” or 5th Century Cup of the Discovery of the Pacific Ocean.

South Africa’s Shaun Joubert is the new Men’s Reef ISA World Surfing Games Champion. With powerful turns and aerial tactics, Joubert earned the Gold Medal.

Australia’s Dimity Stoyle is the new Women’s Reef ISA World Surfing Games Champion. Stoyle earned the Gold Medal with a high scoring wave in the last minutes of her heat.

BIG SHIFTS IN TEAM STANDINGS FOR THE FINAL DAY OF THE REEF ISA WORLD SURFING GAMES IN PANAMA

The second to last day of the Reef ISA World Surfing Games saw big changes in the overall team standings.

The door is now wide open for Brazil, which is now in the lead, and for Peru and Australia, which are close behind and are making a charge for the stash of trophies – the Fernando Aguerre World Team Champion Trophy, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President’s Trophy and the “Copa V Centenario Del Descubrimiento Del Oceano Pacifico,” or 5^th Century Cup of the Discovery of the Pacific Ocean, and the individual Gold Medals.

Noe Mar McGonagle is Costa Rica’s last man standing and will be looking for a spot on the podium during the final day of competition. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

Sunday is the final day of competition, when the Team Champion and Gold Medalists will be decided.

“Competition is getting down to the wire with the exciting Final Day on Sunday,” remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “Surfing conditions are expected to improve with waves in the head high range. I wish all the National Teams and their surfers the best of luck! You won’t want to miss any of the amazing action on the live webcast.”

COMPETITION INTENSIFIES IN THE REEF ISA WORLD SURFING GAMES IN PANAMA

Day 6 of the Reef ISA World Surfing Games reached the critical stage as the competition field was reduced and more surfers are out of the event.

South Africa’s Mikey February, with powerful turns like this one, earned a 15.17, the Men’s highest total heat score of the day. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

The race for the Fernando Aguerre World Team Champion Trophy, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President’s Trophy and the “Copa V Centenario Del Descubrimiento Del Oceano Pacifico,” or 5^th Century Cup of the Discovery of the Pacific Ocean, and the individual Gold Medals intensified with only 2 more days of competition.

The surf conditions were challenging again today with lack of swell and strong onshore winds. The contest had a delayed start after a holding pattern to wait for conditions to improve. The first heat kicked off at 1:45pm and features the Men’s and Women’s Repechage.

At this point, the competition has narrowed to less than half of the original competitors, making every heat exciting.

GOLD MEDALS ON THE LINE DURING A CRITICAL DAY 5 OF THE REEF ISA WORLD SURFING GAMES IN PANAMA

Day 5 of the Reef ISA World Surfing Games showed positive signs of the coming swell. As the event approaches the final days of competition, the National Teams face critical rounds that will determine the final positions in the chase for the Gold Medals.

Local favorite, Jean Carlos “Oli” Gonzales, flying high, dominated his heat.

Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

Once again, competition had a delayed start, due to the extreme low tide, to allow for optimal conditions for the world’s best surfers.

Today featured a mix of Men’s and Women’s surfing action in both Qualifying and Repechage. The Repechage is a do-or-die round in the ISA’s patented double elimination format. If an athlete places 3rd or 4th in a Repechage heat, they are out of the competition.

At this point, the competition had narrowed to about half of the original competitors, making every heat exciting.

WORLD’S BEST SURFERS SHOW IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY IN SANTA CATALINA, PANAMA

Day 4 of the Reef ISA World Surfing Games brought a slight increase in the surf and impressive performances from the world’s best surfers. Due to an extreme low tide, the event began just before noon. The competition picked up once the tide covered the volcanic rock reef and the waves improved.

Venezuela’s Rafael Pereira, with critical turns like this one, advanced to the next round.

Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

Today featured all Open Men’s Repechage. This is a do-or-die round. If an athlete places 3rd or 4th in a Repechage heat, they are out of the competition. Today was a day where 30 percent of the competitors who started the event would be eliminated. The energy was intense.

“It was another beautiful day in the paradise that is Santa Catalina,” commented ISA President Fernando Aguerre.“The stakes were high; the National Teams were standing on the reef cheering their teammates all day long. That’s an amazing sight that only takes place at ISA World Championships. It still gives me the chills even after all of these years. The competition is critical as we approach the final days of the event. Don’t miss a minute of the live webcast.”

CHALLENGING CONDITIONS FOR DAY 3 OF 2013 REEF ISA WORLD SURFING GAMES IN PANAMA

Day 3 offered challenging conditions for the world’s best surfers in the 2013 Reef ISA World Surfing Games. The morning’s extreme low tide combined with small waves caused for competition to go into a holding pattern. Once the tide increased, the waves improved and competition started at 11am.

New Zealand’s Ella Williams, with radical turns like this one, was one of the Open Women’s standouts of the day.

Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

The third day of competition featured Open Women’s Repechage Round 1, Women’s Qualifying Round 2 and Open Men’s Repechage Round 1. The Repechage is do or die. If an athlete places 3rd or 4th in this round, they are out of the competition.

“The competition is now reaching its critical stages when athletes can’t afford to lose or they will go home,” remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “I have been watching the world best men and women surfers compete in beautiful Santa Catalina on the live webcast all day. If you haven’t been watching, you are missing out. Make sure to stay tuned all week.”

EXCELLENT SURFING DURING DAY 1 OF THE 2013 REEF ISA WORLD SURFING GAMES IN PANAMA

The 2013 Reef ISA World Surfing Games kicked off with excellent waves in the head-high to overhead range at the world-class reef break in Santa Catalina, Panama.

Santa Catalina in all its glory. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

The surf conditions were spectacular with offshore winds and clean, overhead waves that brought all the teams to the edge of the cliff overlooking the reef to watch the action.

The waves were powerful and hollow, allowing for a variety of maneuvers from barrels to airs and powerful turns.

“It was amazing watching the live webcast and the incredible waves in Santa Catalina on the first day of the 2013 Reef ISA World Surfing Games,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “The people of Panama and all of the fans watching the live webcast around the world are in for an amazing show throughout the whole competition. Watch it live everyday on www.isawsg.com!”