10 things you should know about the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games

In less than 50 days one of the most prestigious surfing events today, the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games will be underway at Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica, from August 1 to 8.

The best surfers of more than 32 countries will meet in the perfect and warm waves of Playa Hermosa do decide the winner of Team World Gold medal, as well as the ISA world champions in the Open Men, Open Ladies and Longboard divisions.

The 10 things you should know about the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games are:

1 – The Billabong ISA World Surfing Games is one of the greatest surfing events in existence.  It is undoubtedly the most cosmopolite, with athletes competing as members of their National Surfing Teams, with surfers from over thirty countries.

2 – The Billabong ISA World Surfing Games began in 1964 under the name ISF World Championships run by the International Surfing Federation, the first surfing international organization in history. In 1976 the ISF gave way to the ISA. From their beginning and until today, the contestants in the these championships traveled to compete as a team, to defend the colors of their countries.

In 1996, a year after the ISA was recognized by the International Olympic Committee, its President, Fernando Aguerre, proposed a name change to World Surfing Games.  He also created the Sands of the World Ceremony and the Parade of the Nations, to highlight the importance of the union of nations through surfing.

3 – Since 1996, the nations that won the Gold Medal for their team positioning were the following:
1996 – Huntington Beach, USA – Gold Medal: United States
1998 – Carcavelos, Portugal – Gold Medal: Australia
2000 – Maracaípe, Brazil – Gold Medal: Brazil
2002 – Durban, South Africa – Gold Medal: South Africa
2004 – Salinas, Ecuador – Gold Medal: Australia
2006 – Huntington Beach, USA – Gold Medal: Australia
2008 – Costa de Caparica, Portugal – Gold Medal: Australia
2009 – Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica – Gold Medal: ?

4- The team to be beaten is Australia.  Of the seven editions, Team Australia won four.  The other three Gold Medals were for the USA, Brazil and South Africa, always as locals.  The “Aussies” were always champions as visitors.

5- This is the first time in history that a Central American country will host the event.  Costa Rica has shown in the past years an enormous growth, not only because of its surfing level, but also in their tourism and institutional infrastructure.  This is why, among other reasons, this country was chosen to host this year’s Billabong ISA World Surfing Games.

6 – Billabong, one of the greatest surfwear brands in the planet, is the new official event sponsor.  Billabong’s trust is a new recognition to the ISA-sanctioned championships, providing additional promotion resources to the ISA’s work for a better surfing future.

7 – World champions of the previous edition of the ISA World Surfing Games that took place in Costa de Caparica, Portugal, October 2008 were:

Open: CJ Hobgood (USA)
Women: Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS)
Longboard: Matthew Moir (RSA)
Bodyboard: Marcus Lima (BRA)
Bodyboard Women: Natasha Sagardia (PRI)

8- The format of the event has changed after the announcement that the bodyboarders will have their own Bodyboarding World Championship. The teams will include of eight athletes; four Open Men, two Open Girls and two longboarders. Additionally each teams includes Manageres, Coaches and other technical staff.

9 - Following the efforts of the nations to win the Gold medal, the growing presence of ASP World Tour athletes is once again confirmed. French professional surfing stars Jeremy Flores and Micky Picon announced that they will be part of their team. Some of the most developed surfing countries haven’t announced their teams yet, but we expect to see more Top 45 surfers.

10- All the information about the event, including the live webcast will be available in: www.billabongisaworldgames.com

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. 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).

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