2021 Pismo Beach ISA World Para Surfing Championship — International Surfing Association

Canada

DIVISION: Para Surf Kneel

Scott Patterson

Age / 59
Born / Vancouver
Favorite surf break / Chuns
Board / Twin fin
Sponsors / N/A
Biggest Achievement / 2019 Hawaiian adaptive surf championships first place
Hobbies / Skiing and mountain biking

I started surfing in 2016 after competing in four Paralympics in three different sports. Last year I just started mountain biking in a new electric mountain bike which is a blast

Canada

DIVISION: Para Surf Prone 1

Trevor Hirschfield

Age / 37
Born / Parksville
Favorite surf break / Cox Bay, Tofino
Board / 2383 Collective
Sponsors / Melrose Wheelchairs
Biggest Achievement / Selected to the Surf Canada team
Hobbies / Playing wheelchair rugby, cooking, watching sports

4x Paralympian in wheelchair rugby, I had the opportunity to get into surfing during covid. Blessed to live on beautiful Vancouver Island, with Tofino at my doorstep, made surfing easy to fall in love with. I'm really enjoying the challenges of learning a new sport and hope to find some success one day. Just out here trying to soak it all in and catch some waves.

Canada

DIVISION: Para Surf VI-2

Ling Pai

Age / 37
Born / Vancouver
Favorite surf break / Oceanside Harbour
Board / Longboard
Biggest Achievement / 2020 AmpSurf ISA World Para Surf Championships - Silver
Hobbies / Trail Running, Hiking, Skiing

I caught my first wave in 2012 as a tourist in Puerto Rico. It made me so happy I knew I needed more. I am legally blind. I was diagnosed with Optic Atrophy when I was 14 years old. It is a progressive disease that causes the Optic Nerve to deterioate over time. Currently, I have limited visual acuity, visual field and color perception. Not being able to see well does not stop me from being outdoors. Thanks to really great friends and guides, I can still hike, run and ski.

Canada

DIVISION: Para Surf Stand 2

Nathan Smids

Age / 37
Born / Chatham Ontario
Favorite surf break / Willow Creek
Board / 6’10” FireWire
Sponsors / None
Biggest Achievement / 1st 2016 US CHAMPIONSHIP & 2nd 2021 US Open
Hobbies / Surf, camp, hike, wood work, spend time with 14 month old daughter, darts

From Canada. Been living in the US for the past 12 years in San Luis Obispo, Ca. I am a Recreational Therapist in a Maximum Security Forensic Hospital. I am currently studying to become a Registered Nurse. Had my leg amputated 17 years ago due to a snowboarding accident! Ampsurf gave me my first surf lesson and got me into surfing!

Canada

DIVISION: Para Surf Kneel

Victoria Feige

Age / 36
Born / Vancouver
Favorite surf break / Haleiwa
Board / MR Lost California Twin
Sponsors / West Coast Shapes out of Ucluelet, BC
Biggest Achievement / 2x World Title
Hobbies / Skiing, Snorkelling, Playing guitar and singing at the post event bonfire :)

- After a snowboarding accident left Victoria partially paralyzed at age 18, she returned to skiing and surfing. She trained hard and became an accomplished adaptive surfer on the competitive scene.
- She has been surfing for Team Canada since 2016 and won back-to-back ISA World Para Surfing Championships in the Kneel Division '19, 20.
- She has won back-to-back US Adaptive Surf Open in the Women's Waveski Division 2019 & 2020.
- She prefers kneel surfing because she enjoys paddling in with her hands, taking the drop while popping up and the feeling of duckdiving.
- She taught herself to duck dive by watching youtube videos, analyzing the biomechanics, adapting them to her partially paralyzed body and practicing in a community pool in Vancouver.
- She has moved from Vancouver, Canada to Oahu, Hawaii to progress and reach her potential in this sport.