The International Surfing Association (ISA) continued its commitment towards the development of adaptive surfing by holding its fourth annual ISA Adaptive Surfing Clinic presented by the Challenged Athletes Foundation Junior Seau Foundation Adaptive Surfing Program in San Diego, USA.
Aspiring adaptive surfers of all ages and skill levels gathered at Tourmaline Beach to receive expert instruction from top adaptive surfers and instructors. The goals of the clinic were to promote participation at all levels in the sport and to introduce the healing qualities of surfing and the ocean to surfers with physical challenges.
Sixteen surfers of varying backgrounds participated in the clinic, half of whom were women and girls, highlighting the ISA’s drive to promote gender equality in the sport.
The clinic was held as part of the official program of the 2018 Stance ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship (WASC), which is set to take place in La Jolla December 12-16.
For the fourth consecutive year the WASC will gather world’s best adaptive surfers, some of whom assisted with coaching in the clinic, to represent their nations and compete for Gold Medals.
The 2018 edition of the event will feature a record-breaking participation both overall and among women. More than 120 athletes from 24 nations, including 37 women, are prepared to compete.
ISA President Fernando Aguerre said:
“It is amazing to see the happiness and motivation of these aspiring adaptive surfers. They displayed incredible skills out there in the waves today.
“It’s important to build the sport across all levels; engaging the grassroots with clinics like this and the elite adaptive surfers with the world championship competition. This clinic is engaging the youth to introduce them to the sport and the healing qualities of the ocean. It is also providing a model for participating athletes and nations to engage in similar grassroots development in their nations.
“I hope to see some of these up-and-comers competing in the World Championship in the years to come.”
The 2018 Stance ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship will be streamed live December 12-16 on www.isasurf.org.
The schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, December 12:
- Opening Ceremony at La Jolla Shores & Kellogg Park, 9:30am – 11:30am
- Start of Competition at La Jolla Shores, 1:00pm – 4:30pm
- Adaptive Surfing Symposium at La Jolla Shores Hotel, 6:00pm – 8:30pm
December 13-16
- Competition at La Jolla Shores, 7:00am – 4:30pm
Sunday, December 16
- Closing Ceremony at La Jolla Shores following the competition Finals
