24 Nations Unite at Opening Ceremony of the 2025 ISA World Para Surfing Championship

Zoe Smith (ENG), Morgan Galeffi (ITA), and Antony Smyth (RSA) Lead Respective Divisions as Competition Kicks OffBelgium Joins Parade of Nations in Event Debut

Oceanside, California – November 2, 2025

The 2025 ISA World Para Surfing Championship (WPSC) officially opened today with the Parade of Nations, Opening Ceremony and first heats of competition all taking place beneath Oceanside’s iconic pier. Classic fall conditions featured a four-to-five-foot combo swell for Main Round 1 to be completed in men’s Stand 1 and Stand 2, along with women’s Stand 2.

Nearly 140 athletes, representing 24 national teams, and 9 different Para Surfing Sport Classes featured in the Parade of Nations. The teams marched down The Strand with flags flying high and chants ringing out, before gathering in the Junior Seau Beach Amphitheater for the ISA’s signature Sands of the World ceremony. One member from each national team poured sand from their local beach into a single container, a symbol of the peaceful gathering of nations of the world through surfing.

The nation of Belgium joined the festivities for the first time in this event, becoming the 33rd nation represented among the 36 national teams that have competed in the championship’s history. Women’s involvement in the event continues to grow year-on-year. This edition features the highest percentage to date, with women making up more than one third of the athletes.

The tenth edition of the WPSC is the second major ISA event to be held at Oceanside, after the ISA World Junior Championships was held here in 2015. Oceanside’s Deputy Mayor Eric Joyce joined ISA Executive Director Robert Fasulo in welcoming the athletes and declaring the event open.

ISA President Fernando Aguerre said:

“This championship is our yearly pilgrimage where para surfers from around the world come together in peace through surfing. I want to thank the city of Oceanside for hosting us, and I want to thank all the delegations, national teams, athletes, friends, and family who are here. This really is the United Nations of para surfing.

“As you know, the ISA has been working since the very first WPSC 10 years ago to include para surfing in the Paralympic Games. This has not been an easy job, but when things get complicated, we paddle harder to catch that wave.

“Our aim now is inclusion for Brisbane 2032. So stay connected, do your part, use your social media, and let’s make every effort we can, together, so this dream becomes a reality. I wish you all the best in the competition.”

Zoe Smith (ENG), Morgan Galeffi (ITA), and Antony Smyth (RSA) Lead Respective Divisions as Competition Kicks Off

Two-time World Champion Antony Smyth (RSA) made a statement with his opening performance in men’s Stand 1. The wave selection of the 55-year-old was on point as he was able to carve through multiple forehands turns and earn two rides in the 7-point range for a 15.10 heat total, the highest of the day. A gold medalist in 2018 and 2019, Smyth still carries nerves every year he returns to compete at the highest level.

“I grew up in surf like that as a young grom on the East Coast of South Africa,” Smyth said. “I haven’t done that for a while, but I guess all those hours in there came through, and I had to lean on that. I feel so stoked that I’ve got the butterflies out of my tummy. I still get so nervous. But I guess, I’ve been here before and I can see it in the other competitors; they’re nervous and they’re over-amped and that makes me feel like, okay, I’ve been here before. I’m feeling a bit more comfortable than them.”

Though Smyth claimed a solid victory, 15-year-old Davi Lima (BRA) brought a strong challenge in his event debut. Italy’s Morgan Galeffi (ITA) also had a great first appearance in Stand 2, topping the leaderboard ahead of reigning World Champion JP Veaudry (RSA) and event veteran Kenjiro Ito (JPN).

The first heat of women’s Stand 2 featured a tight battle between 2024 Gold Medalist Zoe Smith (ENG) and 2023 champion Laurie Phipps (FRA). The pair shared equal high scores at the halfway point of the heat, before Smith pulled ahead. The 38-year-old was excited to be back competing amongst the world’s best as she looks to defend her title.

“The current is wild, but I’ve been training here all week and it’s been quite chill on that neat tide,” Smith said. “I caught one or two that were fun and I could sort of feel that pier vibe. I love a pier. Obviously I’d like to come back for the gold. Finals day is going to be hard work, it’s looking big. It’d be a bit out of my comfort zone, but let’s see how it goes. Bring it on.”

The 2025 WPSC will continue with men’s Kneel at 7:00 a.m. PST, Monday, November 3, at Northside Oceanside Pier.