Torres Thrills and Gomez Returns as SUP Surfing Debuts

Brazil’s Aline Adisaka and Luiz Diniz claim highest heat totals

San Juan, Puerto Rico – November 1^st 2022

Fun 3-4 foot waves at San Juan’s famed La Ocho break were on offer as the SUP Surfing discipline kicked off on the fourth day of competition in the 2022 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship. Men’s Round 1 and 2 were completed, along with Women’s Round 1.

Local Puerto Rican Max Torres didn’t waste any time getting his campaign started, posting a 9.33 in his Round 1 heat with a huge forehand tail drift on a big section, followed by multiple hits to the lip for the highest single wave score of the day.

“The waves are good, it’s firing,” Torres said. “I controlled all my maneuvers and we’re going for next heat. Let’s go Puerto Rico!”

Two-time ISA SUP Surfing gold medalist Luiz Diniz (BRA) proved to be the most consistent surfer, delivering the highest heat total of the day, 15.40 made up of an 8.33 and a 7.07 for his aggressive attack.

Felipe Rodríguez (MEX) set himself apart today, surfing two great heats, while familiar names like defending champion Benoit Carpentier (FRA), Zane Schweitzer (USA), and Giorgio Gomez (COL) also progressed in the Main Round to avoid dropping into the Repechage Round.

Three years away from competition did nothing to slow Lima 2019 Pan American Games SUP surfing gold medalist Isabella Gomez (COL), who came out of the gates firing. Her first wave was the highest single wave score of the day for the women, an 8.33.

“It’s been a while since I’ve competed in SUP Surfing,” Gomez said. “I kind of just burnt out and felt like I had accomplished everything I wanted to and moved on to surfing and big wave surfing, which has been awesome.”

“Honestly, I wasn’t too sure how I’d do coming back. It was nice to rebuild that confidence again, getting a good score. I’ve never been to Puerto Rico so I was really excited to get over here.”

Winning Heat 6 over Gomez was Aline Adisaka (BRA), who posted the highest heat total of the day in the women’s division. The only four-woman heat of the day saw some incredible surfing from Stella Smith (NZL) and Gomez, but it was Adisaka who was able to find both excellence with an 8.10 and also the solid back-up of a 6.33 for a 14.43 total.

Kaede Inoue (JPN) and Marine Kerdreux (FRA) also provided stand-out performances, while the local crowd let their stoke be known when Nimsay García (PUR) took out her heat.

ISA President Fernando Aguerre said:

“What an amazing first day of SUP surfing. It was exciting to see the world’s best SUP surfers hit the ocean today and enjoy Puerto Rico’s beautiful waves. We are set for two more incredible days of SUP surfing as the swell continues to increase and the competition heats up.”