10 Things to Know About the 2025 ISA World Para Surfing Championship

The 2025 ISA World Para Surfing Championship (WPSC) is set to gather the world’s best
Para Surfing athletes in Oceanside, California on November 2 – 7.

Here are the 10 things that you need to know about the upcoming competition.

1. World Champions Return

An impressive lineup of past World Champions will hit the water in Oceanside Beach, including 21 men and 11 women who have all earned World Titles. Leading the charge are the most successful competitors in the event’s history, Victoria Feige (CAN) with five gold medals and Bruno Hansen (DEN) with six.

Additionally, multiple-time Gold Medalists Alana Nichols (USA), Davi Teixeira (BRA), Sarah Bettencourt (USA), Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart (AUS), Marta Paço (POR), Elias ‘Figue’ Diel (BRA), Alelí Medina (PUR), Llywelyn ‘Sponge’ Williams (WAL), and Melissa Reid (ENG) will look to add to their already impressive counts.

2. The Numbers

A total of 137 athletes representing 24 national teams will gather to compete for the coveted Team Gold Medals. Reigning back-to-back World Champions France will aim to defend their title, while Belgium will make its debut, becoming the 33rd national team to participate in the WPSC, underlining the continued growth of the sport.

3. Para Surfing and the Paralympics

The ultimate goal is for Para Surfing to be a part of the Paralympics. In January 2023, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board confirmed that Para Surfing has demonstrated the competitive viability and integrity of the sport, as well as the strategic benefits to the Paralympic Games. Though it will not feature in LA 2028, the ISA is committed to renewing its pitch for the performance, cultural and engagement value of Para Surfing for Brisbane 2032.

4. Women’s Para Surfing Continues to Strengthen

Women will make up more than one-third of the total competitors, reflecting the ISA’s strong commitment to gender equality. The significant growth in women’s participation in recent years is a testament to the ISA’s ongoing efforts to expand opportunities across all surfing disciplines. Since 2017, there have been equal places available for men and women across all ISA championships.

5. Para Surfing Classification

The ISA has officially classified over 550 para surfers and is committed to an evidence-informed classification structure that align with the IPC Classification Code. 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 1
• Prone 2
• Vision Impairment 1
• Vision Impairment 2

Full details for each classification can be found at
https://isasurf.org/learning/para-surfing/isa-para-surfing-classification/

6. Where to Watch

The live webcast will be streamed on www.isasurf.org from November 2-7. Visit isasurf.org for results, team rosters, photos, videos, and news pertaining to the competition.

7. Social Media

The ISA will be posting live updates, photos and videos from the competition on social media. Follow @ISAsurfing on Instagram, Tiktok, YouTube, Facebook and X.

8. Schedule

November 2 – 10:00am: Opening Ceremony, Beach Amphitheater
November 2 – 1:30pm: Competition Begins, Oceanside Pier, South Side
November 4 – 6 : Competition, Oceanside Pier, South Side
November 7: Finals and Closing Ceremony

9. The ISA and Oceanside

The 2025 WPSC will be held in Oceanside, California. Previously hosting the 2015 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship. Oceanside saw two-time Olympian Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA) making history for his nation when he won the U/18 boy’s gold medal.

10. Supporting Partners

The ISA is proud to be working with the High Fives Foundation and the Challenge Athletes Foundation, two key partners committed to supporting the global growth, development and promotion of Para Surfing worldwide.