The Billabong ISA World Surfing Games are coming
Costa Rica is getting ready for the biggest surfing championship in history held in Central American coasts
Billabong ISA World Surfing Games
August 1-8, 2009
Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica
One of the most important and traditional global surfing events, the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games will take place from August 1-8 in the perfect waves of Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica. This will be the first time that a Central American country will receive the best surfers from around the world.
Once again, the nations of the world will gather together in the most pure Olympic spirit, full of friendship and camaraderie. The event will have eight historical days full of different colors, religions and languages from all around the planet in peaceful coexistence.The chosen place for the event will be the strong and consistent waves of Playa Hermosa, two hours away from the capital city, San José, and five minutes away from the famous surf city of Jacó. Waves are consistent at Playa Hermosa, going from one foot to six with perfect barrels. Even better, the dates were chosen according to the best season at Hermosa, because of the great conditions of the southern swells during this part of the year.
The event will also have, for the first time in history, the sponsoring of one of the most acclaimed global surfing brands, Billabong. Once it was known that Billabong would be ISA World Surfing Games sponsor in 2009 and 2010, its Marketing Vice President, Graham Stapelberg, stated: “I believe it is vital to provide a platform for these emerging surf regions. It is the only event of its kind where you get such a large representation of so many different surf nations”.
On the other hand, Jose Ureña, President of the host organization governing body, the Costa Rican Surfing Federation, expressed the honor by saying: “I’m really happy for the opportunity that ISA and Billabong have given to us. To be hosts of this event is a like dream, to have so many countries enjoying our waves. It’s a unique occasion for us.
And it’s the biggest challenge we have as a federation to contribute to surfing development and to promote Costa Rica as a touristic destination”. He also added: “We will witness something incredible for our country, especially for surfing. We will have a massive audience supporting the national team and the media will follow them closely this time, different than what happened in previous events.”
Fernando Aguerre, President of the ISA, expressed his happiness for the future event: “The first Billabong ISA World Surfing Games represents a great step towards a better future for all the surfers of the world.
The alliance with Billabong is a confirmation of the importance of the ISA World Championships for the surfing world. Now, all the national surfing federations will have a first class event for the Open division. The best surfers of the world have the chance to compete for the medals in the purest “Olympic style”, for the honor of representing their countries.
For this first year, the combination is perfect: the great waves and warm waters of Costa Rica, the strong Billabong support, the effort and organizing efficiency of the Costa Rican Surfing Federation and the best surfers of the planet. All this will happen in the midst of the purest “Olympic style” of camaraderie and fair play that are characteristic of the ISA events.
I have no doubts that this is going to be an event to remember for the years to come. Welcome everybody and good luck to the competitors.”
IMPORTANT FACTS
TEAMS
Each team will be formed by:
4 Open Men
2 Open Women
2 Longboarders
Each division will be rewarded with Gold, Silver, Bronze and Copper medals. And each surfer’s points will be added for the Overall Team Standings that defines the nation medals.
The results of the last edition of the event in Portugal 2008 were the following:
Gold: Australia – 17,238 pts.
Silver: USA – 14,284 pts.
Bronze: Brazil – 12,610 pts.
Copper: France – 11,819 pts.
CHAMPIONS GALLERY
2008 – Costa de Caparica, Portugal: Australia
2006 – Huntington Beach, USA: Australia
2004 – Salinas, Ecuador: Australia
2002 – Durban, South Africa: South Africa
2000 – Maracaípe, Brazil: Brazil
1998 – Carcavelos, Portugal: Australia
1996 – Huntington Beach, USA: USA
The Australian Team is the big favorite. They’ve won four out of the seven editions that were organized, the last three ones consecutively.
EVENT SCHEDULE (Subject to change)
July 28: Team Registration
July 29: Team Registration
July 30: Last Day Team Registration
1pm – Media Registration
3:30pm – Media Conference
July 31: 8am – Judges Meeting
10am – Managers Meeting
2pm – Parade of Nations/Opening Ceremony
August 1: Contest Start
August 3: 8pm – ISA AGM
August 8: Contest End & Closing Ceremony
HISTORY
The ISA World Surfing Games have a long story. It begins in 1964 during the first World Championships near Sydney Australia when the International Surfing Federation was created. This association gathered all the surfing nations together and began organizing World Championships every other year.
In 1976 in Hawaii, the ISF gave way to the ISA that continued organizing World Championships every other year. In 1996, at Huntington Beach, California the championships were called World Surfing Games for the first time. In 1997 the International Olympic Committee granted the ISA full recognition as the worldwide authority for surfing, welcoming the sport to the Olympic movement.
About the International Surfing Association (ISA)
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding and surfriding. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964 and the Junior World Championships since 1980.
ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of over 50 countries on six continents. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California. It is presided by Fernando Aguerre, first elected in 1994 in Rio, and re-elected six times since. The ISA’s four Vice Presidents are Alan Atkins (Australia), Robin de Kock (South Africa), Mike Gerard (USA) and Karin Sierralta (Peru).