The 2020 AmpSurf ISA World Para Surfing Championship (WPSC) is set to take to La Jolla Shores, USA March 11-15.
Here are the 10 things to know about the upcoming competition:
- Record-breaking participation
Approximately 133 athletes from 22 countries are set to compete in the World Championship, surpassing the record of 120 that was set in 2018.
The athlete participation has nearly doubled since the inaugural edition in 2015.
- Striving for gender equality
In addition to the record number of athletes, 2020 will also see women compete in record numbers.
The 41 women pursuing Gold Medals break the record of 37 set in 2018, and continues a year over year trend of increased women’s participation in the event.
- How to watch the event live online?
The 2020 AmpSurf WPSC can be viewed live on www.isasurf.org March 11-15.
Additionally, viewers can tune in on the ISA’s Facebook page and the Olympic Channel.
- The divisions
As the discipline of Para Surfing continues to evolve, the ISA has updated the classification divisions in which the athletes compete in order to create the most level playing field.
Athletes will be grouped into one of 8 classifications depending on their particular physical conditions. Each classification will crown men and women World Champions. (Women Para Surf Stand 3 will not run due to no classified participants).
To see all sport classifications, click here.
- Paralympic ambitions
With Surfing set to make its Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020, the ISA believes that high performance and youthful values of Para Surfing also merit inclusion on the world’s greatest Para sporting stage.
The ISA has lobbied for the sport’s inclusion in the Paralympics and most recently applied for inclusion in the Santiago 2023 Para Pan Am Games.
- AmpSurf the Title Partner & the supporters
In 2020, AmpSurf will join the WPSC as the Title Partner for the first time, bringing their expertise in providing Adaptive Surfing therapy programs to veterans, adults, and children.
The ISA would like to thank the presenting sponsors, Foundation for Global Sports Development and the City of San Diego, as well as event supporters that make the World Championship possible.
- The World Champions
In 2018, Team USA took the overall Team Gold Medal for the first time in the event’s history, breaking a two-year Gold Medal run from Team Brazil.
The defending individual Gold Medalists competing in 2020 are the following: Bruno Hansen (DEN), Ann Yoshida (HAW), Samantha Bloom (AUS), Melisa Reid (ENG), Matthew Formston (AUS), Alana Nichols (USA), Victoria Feige (CAN), Henrique Saraiva (BRA), Freddy Marimon (COL), and Antony Smyth (RSA).
Denmark’s Hansen is the only competitor to earn a Gold Medal (4) in each edition of the event.
- Social media
The ISA will be posting live updates, photos and videos from the competition on social media. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube and don’t forget use the official hashtags #ISAworlds and #InspiredSurfers.
Facebook: International Surfing Association (@ISAsurfing)
Instagram: @ISAsurfing
Twitter: @ISAsurfing
Youtube: ISAsurfing
- Fostering the future generations
The AmpSurf ISA Adaptive Surf Clinic will take place on Tuesday, March 10 from 8am-12pm at La Jolla Shores.
The purpose of the clinic is to provide an opportunity for athletes with physical challenges to experience the healing power and joy surfing, receiving instruction from top athletes and instructors.
- The schedule
Tuesday March 10
- AmpSurf ISA Adaptive Surf Clinic, 8am-12pm at La Jolla Shores
Wednesday March 11
- Opening Ceremony, 9:30am-11:30am at Kellogg Park adjacent to La Jolla Shores
- Competition, 1pm-4:30pm at La Jolla Shores
Thursday March 12 – Sunday March 15
- Competition 7am-4:30pm at La Jolla Shores
Sunday March 15
- Closing Ceremony following the close of competition at La Jolla Shores