The International Surfing Association (ISA) is pleased and proud to announce Huntington Beach, California, USA, as the host of the 2019 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, October 26 to November 3.
The event, which is presented by Visit Huntington Beach, will return to ‘Surf City USA’ for the second consecutive year after a successful edition in 2018 that featured 361 surfers from a record-breaking 44 nations.
2019 will mark the sixth consecutive year that VISSLA, an industry-leading surf brand, joins the event as the Title Sponsor. Additionally, SisstrEvolution, VISSLA’s partner women’s surf brand, will join the event for the second consecutive year.
The VISSLA ISA Juniors is the premiere world championship for crowning 18 and under Surfing World Champions. The event has awarded Gold Medals that launched the careers of numerous stars of the sport, including Gabriel Medina (BRA), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), Jordy Smith (RSA), Courtney Conlogue (USA), Filipe Toledo (BRA), Caroline Marks (USA), Julian Wilson (AUS), Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), Owen Wright (AUS), Tyler Wright (AUS), Laura Enever (AUS), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS), Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA), and Brisa Hennessy (CRC).
The 2018 edition saw Japan take the overall Team Gold Medal, highlighting the rapid development of Surfing in the country in the leadup to the sport’s landmark debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Keanu Kamiyama led Team Japan to the Gold Medal in the Boys U-18 Division, while individual Gold Medals were claimed by Germany’s Rachel Presti in the Girls U-18 Division, Australia’s Grayson Hinrichs in the Boys U-16, and USA’s Caitlin Simmers in the Girls U-16.
Continuing a longstanding commitment to promote gender equality in Surfing, the VISSLA ISA Juniors will again offer equal slots for boys and girls in 2019. The ISA’s efforts proved successful in 2018 as girls competed in record numbers and showcased their world-class talent on a global stage.
Huntington Beach has played a historic role for the sport of Surfing, having hosted top-tier events such as the ISA World Surfing Games and the Vans US Open of Surfing. The 2018 VISSLA ISA World Juniors will be the sixth ISA Global Event held in ‘Surf City USA’ after the city hosted three editions of the ISA World Surfing Games in 2006, 1996, and 1984 as well as the ISA World Juniors in 2005 and 2018.
ISA President Fernando Aguerre said:
“We’re stoked to bring the VISSLA ISA Juniors back to Huntington Beach. The excellent waves, strong surf culture, and outstanding accommodation made the event a resounding success in 2018. We’re looking forward to reuniting the global elite of surfing’s youth on the sands of the iconic Huntington Beach pier.
“The intensity and level of competition has been steadily on the rise as we near Surfing’s debut in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. These young surfers will become the future stars of our sport and some could even have the opportunity to become Olympians.”
President of VISSLA, Paul Naude, said:
“Vissla is proud to continue supporting the global youth of surfing. The creative progression and innovation that these young men and women have displayed over the years has truly inspired us and seamlessly aligns with our brand’s forward thinking philosophy. We’re excited for another edition of the world’s best juniors vying for Gold in the Olympic Surfing era.”
President & CEO of Visit Huntington Beach, Kelly Miller, said:
“Visit Huntington Beach, the official destination marketing organization for the city, is ecstatic to build on last year’s success and host the surfers, team officials, and fans from all over the world. We love to support young athletes in Surf City USA, and are stoked to showcase our quintessential Southern California beach destination for surf culture, family atmosphere, laid back luxury accommodations, shopping and dining as we welcome the next generation of international champions, their families, and supporters this fall.”
Originally held as a division within the ISA World Surfing Games, the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship became a standalone event in 2003 and has been held annually ever since.
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About VISSLA
Vissla is a brand that represents creative freedom, a forward-thinking philosophy, and a generation of creators and innovators. We embrace the modern do-it-yourself attitude within surf culture, performance surfing, and craftsmanship. We constantly strive to minimize our environmental impact and protect the oceans and waves that raised us. This is a surf-everything and ride-anything mentality.
We are creators and innovators.
About Visit Huntington Beach
Visit Huntington Beach is the official destination marketing organization of Huntington Beach, Surf City USA®. One of Southern California’s premier beach and surf destinations, Huntington Beach is the ideal location for a California family vacation, active outdoor sports and adventure trip or relaxing weekend getaway. With 10 miles/ 16 kilometers of wide-open white sand California beaches, Huntington Beach is a destination of choice for vacationers and business travelers alike. To plan your Surf City USA® vacation, or to learn more about Huntington Beach, see the Visit Huntington Beach website at www.surfcityusa.com, go to #SurfCityUSA or @HBSurfCityUSA, or call 1-800-729-6232 for a free Visitors Guide.