Records Challenged, World Champions Crowned on Day 5 of the 2025 ISA World Para Surfing Championship

Sarah Bettencourt (USA) Equals Women’s Record With Fifth World Title

Runners-Up No More as Meira Nelson (HAW) and Valentine Moskoteoc (FRA) Claim Maiden Victories

Men’s Competition Intensifies With Finals Decided For Multiple Divisions

Oceanside, California – November 6, 2025

Four women were crowned World Champions on day 5 of the 2025 ISA World Para Surfing Championship (WPSC), with Finals match-ups determined for the remaining divisions. A building three-to-four-foot swell offered ample opportunity for big performances and large scores.

Retired Marine Captain Sarah Bettencourt (USA) claimed an emphatic victory to earn her fifth World Title. After a solid opening ride, Bettencourt built momentum throughout the Women’s Prone 1 Final, posting excellent scores on her final two waves, an 8.00 and 8.43, for a 16.43 two-wave total. The result left her fellow finalists needing a combination of two scores to catch her. A huge advocate for the power of para surfing and its push toward Paralympic inclusion, the 42-year-old mother of two was thrilled to take another win and equal the record of five gold medals currently held by Victoria Feige (CAN).

“The first 8 was just a beautiful right. I mean, it was just gorgeous. It kept presenting itself,” Bettencourt said. “But then as I was going back out, I knew I had the lead, but I really wanted to cement it because I knew my competition out there is fierce. I mean, all these women are amazing competitors and they can come back and get me. So I knew that I had to stay on it. And when that left came, I was like, oh, it’s a left. I can do this. And I was able to just nail it. And I was so happy that that came up as an 8. So thankfully I was able to cinch it and I’m really thankful.”

Another former champion, Laurie Phipps (FRA), backed up her 2023 World Title in Stand 2. Phipps was able to drive through multiple backhand turns on the pier bowl rights on a board made by her father, an internationally renowned shaper.

“It feels very special [to win on a board made by my dad],” Phipps said. “I absolutely love this board. It’s my favorite board my dad’s ever made me and I definitely felt the magic on it today. As I say, it takes a village. I feel like it’s almost a team sport at this point. There’s so many people that have participated and have made me able to win my second title. So thank you to everyone. I love you all.”

Runners-Up No More as Meira Nelson (HAW) and Valentine Moskoteoc (FRA) Claim Maiden Victories

After multiple runner-up finishes, Meria Nelson (HAW) and Valentine Moskoteoc (FRA) were able to break through to claim their first World Titles. Nelson took the win in the women’s Sit division over three-time World Champion Alana Nichols (USA) and teammate Alina Garbuzov (HAW). The 40-year-old mother was proud to finally claim victory for her family and Hawaii.

“I’m over the moon right now,” Nelson said. “I just feel all the emotions from everybody on the beach and especially my team. I am so, so, so happy. It’s about time this happened. Alana [Nichols] and Alina [Garbuzov] are two of the most fierce women in my division. We’ve been doing this for so long, been chasing each other, you know, win here, win there, but to win it at the ISA for the first time, everything came together.”

For three years running, Moskoteoc has placed runner-up to three-time World Champion Marta Paço (POR) in women’s Visual Impairment (VI) 1. This year, the 15-year-old finally claimed victory, earning the first gold medal of the event for the back-to-back defending team champions, France.

Men’s Competition Intensifies With Finals Decided For Multiple Classifications

Intense drama unfolded in multiple men’s classifications, but none more so than the Men’s Prone 2 Semifinals where a field of former champions and rising talents battled for a place in the Final. After struggling to break into the excellent range earlier in the event, three-time World Champion Davi Teixeira (BRA) delivered two excellent rides in the same heat, including a massive 9.50. However, his second score was halved after a non-priority interference against Cliff Gralton (AUS), who posted an 8.67 of his own with a huge end-section hit. The pair advanced, knocking out last year’s champion Freddy Marimon (COL), who was unable to replicate his earlier success.

The second Semifinal saw 2021 World Champion Jose Martinez (USA) narrowly avoid elimination despite securing a 9.33, with the heat win going to Mathius Vanderhoogth (CRC). The 2022 Silver Medalist was ecstatic to earn another shot at his first World Title.

“I feel so happy right now for my scores, I feel more happy because I have a great team because I brought my mom with me,” Vanderhoogth said. “This time I’m going for the gold medal. This is my dream. I work for this every day. I feel so excited and so happy and I want to enjoy the Final tomorrow. No words. I’m just too happy to talk right now.”

The 2025 WPSC will continue with the men’s Sit Final at 7:00 a.m. PST, Friday, November 7, at Northside Oceanside Pier.

RESULTS

Women’s VI 1
Gold – Valentine Moskoteoc (FRA)
Silver – Marta Paço (POR)
Bronze – Ingrid Medina (BRA)

Women’s Prone 1
Gold – Sarah Bettencourt (USA)
Silver – Paloma Oñate (ESP)
Bronze – Grace Kennedy (AUS)
Copper – Solange Balay (FRA)

Women’s Sit
Gold – Meira Nelson (HAW)
Silver – Alana Nichols (USA)
Bronze – Alina Garbuzov (HAW)

Women’s Stand 2
Gold – Laurie Phipps (FRA)
Silver – Zoe Smith (ENG)
Bronze – Gaëlle Habri (FRA)
Copper – Maryele Cardoso (BRA)