Here are the 10 things that you need to know about the upcoming competition. The 2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championship (WPSC) is set to gather the world’s best Para Surfing athletes in Huntington Beach, California on November 3 – 9.
1. World Champions Return
A huge list of former World Champions will be returning to defend their titles. 15 men and 10 women who have won World Titles will be present in Huntington Beach, including multiple Gold Medalists Alana Nichols (USA), Davi Teixeira (BRA), Sarah Bettencourt (USA), Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart (AUS), Marta Paço (POR), and Matt Formston (AUS).
Many two-time World Champions will also be hoping to increase their counts, including Aleli Medina (PUR), Llywelyn ‘Sponge’ Williams (WAL), Emma Dieters (AUS), Jeff Munson (USA), Jesse Billauer (USA), Elias Figue Diel (BRA), and Roy Calderon (CRC).
2. The Numbers
151 athletes, representing 25 national teams, will gather to compete for the coveted Team Gold Medals. The current Team World Champions, Team France, will seek to defend their title.
3. Women’s Para Surfing Continues to Grow
Women will make up over one-third of the total competitors. Gender equity is a key priority for the ISA and the massive growth in women’s participation in recent years is a testament to the ongoing efforts to create more opportunities for women in all surfing disciplines. Since 2017, there have been equal places available for men and women across all ISA championships.
4. Para Surfing Classification
The ISA has officially classified over 300 para surfers. The goal of classification in Para Surfing is to accurately allocate the athlete into their best surf class to ensure a high level of competition and a more leveled playing field, minimizing the impact of impairment on the sport performance.
Athletes are grouped into one of 9 classifications depending on their particular physical conditions. Each classification will crown men’s and women’s World Champions.
● Stand 1
● Stand 2
● Stand 3
● Kneel
● Sit
● Prone
● Prone 2
● Vision Impairment 1
● Vision Impairment 2
5. Para Surfing Women’s Workshop
The ISA will host a gathering of Para Surfing women prior to the World Para Surfing Championship to join in community, share resources, discuss barriers, and aim to promote Para Surfing to more women.
The ISA Women’s Para Surfing Workshop will be held on Sunday November 3rd at 9am at Huntington Beach’s south side of the pier. In person attendance is encouraged for all registered women and coaches in the 2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championship.
6. La ISA y Environmental Conservation
The ISA has partnered with Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy, a non profit organization to restore and protect the coastal wetlands of Southeast Huntington Beach.
On Novermber 2nd at 2pm, athletes, staff and the Huntington Beach community will gather together at 21900 Pacific Coast Highway. Join us for a hands on conservation afteroon helping restore HB’s wetlands by planting native plants. Let’s make a difference!
7. Where to Watch
The live webcast will be streamed on www.isasurf.org from November 3-9. Visit isasurf.org for results, team rosters, photos, videos, and news pertaining to the competition.
8. Social Media
The ISA will be posting live updates, photos and videos from the competition on social media.
9. Schedule
November 3 – 9am: Para Surfing Women’s Workshop, Huntington Beach Pier
November 3 – 1:30pm: Opening Ceremony, Pier Plaza
November 4 – 8: Competition, Huntington Beach, South Side
November 9: Finals and Closing Ceremony
10. The ISA and Huntington Beach
The WPSC will be held in ‘Surf City USA’ for the second year in-a-row. It will be the ninth major ISA Event held in ‘Surf City USA’, after the city hosted four editions of the ISA World Surfing Games, in 1984, 1996, 2006, and 2022, as well as the ISA World Juniors in 2005, 2018 and 2019.
Huntington Beach will once again be able to showcase the world’s best para surfers, while also helping further the ISA’s mission to see para surfing included in the Paralympic Games.
