The 2024 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Masters Surfing Championship (WMSC) is set to gather the world’s best masters surfers in Surf City El Salvador on October 18-24, 2024.
Cardiff, California – October 16th 2024
Here are 10 things you need to know about the upcoming competition.
1. International Masters Competition is Back!
Last held in 2013, the WMSC took place six times between 2007 and 2013 and saw many incredible names claim Masters World Titles, including two-time Gold Medalists Layne Beachley (AUS) and Sunny Garcia (HAW). It will be the second time the WMSC takes place in El Salvador, having previously been held at Punta Roca in 2011.
2. Former Medalists Return
Thirteen former medalists will be present in El Salvador, headlined by the only surfer to win the Gold Medal in the Open, Junior, and Masters divisions at the ISA, Tom Curren (USA). The three-time WSL Champion will compete professionally for the first time in over six years.
Joining him will be four other former WMSC champions. 2012 Masters World Champion Rochelle Ballard (HAW), 2013 Kahunas World Champion Mike Latronic (HAW), 2010 Masters World Champion Heather Clark (RSA), and 2010 Kahunas World Champion Rod Baldwin (AUS) will once again seek to top the podium as they make their return to international competition.
It has been many years since most of the surfers in the draw have competed internationally. Multiple medalists in other ISA divisions will look to diversify their medal counts, joined by former WSL Championship Tour (CT) surfers. Names like two-time ISA World Surfing Games Gold Medalist Hira Teriinatoofa (TAH), two-time ISA World Surfing Games Silver Medalist Melanie Bartels (HAW) and two-time ISA World Surfing Games Medalist Jacqueline Silva (BRA) will make their WMSC debut, as will former WSL CT surfers Serena Brooke (AUS), Ben Bourgeois (USA), Kim Wooldridge (AUS), and legend of the sport, Becky Benson (HAW).
3. Record National Participation
Over 90 athletes, representing 28 national teams, will gather to compete for the coveted Team Gold medals, surpassing the previous record for national teams, set in 2012. Defending Team World Champions, Team Hawaii, are fielding a strong team that includes two former Gold Medalists as they seek to defend their title.
4. New National Teams
Five national teams, Austria, Barbados, Canada, England, and Israel, will be represented in the WMSC for the very first time.
5. The Divisions
The age categories have been updated since the event was last held in 2013. Two new women’s categories will make their debut in 2024, Grand Masters and Kahunas, while each of the men’s divisions see an adjustment in age.
● Men’s and Women’s Masters (Over 40)
● Men’s and Women’s Grand Masters (Over 50)
● Men’s and Women’s Kahunas (Over 60)
