Latest news with #InternationalSurfingAssociation
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Sixth edition of Indian Open of Surfing from May 30
Mangaluru: The Indian Open of Surfing (IOS), the second stop in the National Surfing Championship series, is set to return for its sixth edition. Set against the scenic backdrop of Sasihithlu Beach in Mangaluru, the event will take place from May 30 to June 1. The event was recently announced by the Surfing Federation of India (SFI), the governing body for surfing and stand-up paddling in the country. Recognised by the International Surfing Association, this prestigious national competition will be hosted by the Mantra Surf Club and organised by the Surfing Swami Foundation (SSF). The three-day premier surfing competition will witness participation from India's top-ranked surfers in four categories: Men's Open, Women's Open, Groms (U-16) Boys, and Groms (U-16) Girls. Following the International Surfing Festival Kerala Varkala 2025, held in April, the IOS serves as the second stop in the National Championship Series. This highly competitive event showcases intense action and fierce rivalry between surfers from the east and west coasts of India. Last year, India earned its first-ever surfing quotas for a multisport event, securing two spots for the 2026 Asian Games at the Asian Surf Championship 2024 in the Maldives— a milestone that marks a new era for surfing in the country. The current edition of the IOS holds significant importance, as it offers athletes the opportunity to boost their rankings and enhance their chances of qualifying for the Asian Surf Championship, the qualifier event for the 2026 Asian Games scheduled later this year. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
NZ Herald
05-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Gisborne longboarder Hannah Kohn 46th at ISA world champs in El Salvador
Gisborne's Hannah Kohn on a sweet ride at the El Sunzal surf break in El Salvador. She was part of a four-strong New Zealand contingent competing at the ISA World Longboard Surfing Championship. Photo / ISA Gisborne surfer Hannah Kohn and her Kiwi teammates put on a spirited showing at the ISA World Longboard Surfing Championship in El Salvador. The International Surfing Association event, held at the El Sunzal break, featured 103 surfers from 32 nations. Kohn showed plenty of grit in the women's division. She was second in her round 1 heat with a score of 6.30 but encountered tougher conditions in round 2 and placed fourth on 4.07, which dropped her into a repechage. In testing, onshore conditions in what was a must-win heat to stay alive, Kohn was fourth on 6.73 and was eliminated. It placed her 46th equal overall. Reflecting on her campaign, Kohn said the event was a lot of fun. 'We had some wild waves a couple of days with a heavy shorebreak and tricky tides [but] being here among the world's best was so inspiring. 'Watching them handle eight-foot onshore surf is incredible.' Kohn planned to tour El Salvador after the contest. 'We're hoping to grab the shortboards and explore some of the other waves around. It's such an amazing place.' Jack Tyro, of Christchurch, placed best of the four-strong Kiwi team. He finished 13th in the men's competition, winning his round 1 and 2 heats and making it to repechage 5 after placing third in his round 3 heat. Gabi Paul (Piha) was 37th-equal in the women's division and Oliver Janes (Auckland) was 37th-equal in the men's division. France's Edouard Delpero won the men's final with a score of 18.24, while American Rachael Tilly won the women's crown with 15.13. The El Sunzal surf break again proved a world-class longboard destination. It's known for its long, right-hand point waves, but competitors faced their share of challenges during the week, with changing tides, strong onshore winds and heavy shorebreaks testing even the most seasoned surfers.
The Star
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Making a splash the safe way
THE waters off Tanjung Aru, just south of Kota Kinabalu, shimmered under the mid-morning sun as paddleboards skimmed across the calm sea. Some steered by confident instructors, others by beginners still finding their balance. But beneath the serene setting was a week-long effort to elevate safety and professionalism in Sabah's growing watersports scene. Among the curious newcomers was a Hong Kong tourist, who only wanted to be known as Monica. She had never tried stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) before and described herself as 'not a strong swimmer'. But under the guidance of newly trained instructors, she found herself standing on the board within 45 minutes. 'I felt calm and balanced, even though I was nervous at first. 'The instructors explained everything so clearly and gave me the confidence to try. I will definitely do it again,' said Monica, who now resides in Singapore. Monica's experience was made possible through Sabah's first International Surfing Association (ISA) Flat Water SUP Instructor and Aquatic Rescue Course, which wrapped up recently at Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort. The course, led by ISA presenter Jonni Morrison-Deaker, equipped 17 local instructors with essential technical skills and rescue knowledge to keep guests safe on the water. Stand-up paddleboarders showing off their skills. — Tim Hain/ASC Media Over seven days, participants, many from Kota Kinabalu-based watersport operators, went through both classroom theory and real-world sessions. From drills on calm beachfronts to more dynamic island and river settings, the participants practised SUP techniques, rescue strategies, communication as well as risk management. Apart from Tanjung Aru, participants also trained along the shores of Mamutik Island, where they took part in a beach clean-up, collecting bags of rubbish as part of their hands-on learning experience. They also received first aid training as part of the course. 'Sabah offers an incredible variety of watersports environments. We wanted participants to gain experience in different conditions, so they can respond confidently and competently in any situation,' said Morrison-Deaker. Morrison-Deaker, who also runs the Rip Curl School of Surf in Bali, has been an ISA course presenter across Asia since 2016. His goal is not just to train instructors, but to build a safety-first mindset in the region's watersports industry. The ISA, founded in 1964, is the world's recognised governing body for surfing and all paddle-based disciplines, including SUP racing, para-surfing, bodysurfing and more. It supports national federations in over 100 countries and is known globally for setting the benchmark in water safety and technical training. For Sabah, this course marks a significant first. First aid training being taught during the course. — Tim Hain/ASC Media 'We initiated this programme to encourage more operators to prioritise safety. We want visitors to know that when they enjoy our rivers and seas, they are in safe hands,' said Datuk Josie Lai, the Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KePKAS) permanent secretary, who presented certificates to the course participants. Lai added that the ministry would continue supporting such initiatives, especially as watersports play a key role in Sabah's tourism landscape. The course was organised by Waterfly Borneo in collaboration with the ISA and Asian Surf Cooperative (ASC). For co-organiser Sam Fernandez, one of only two women in the group, the training opened her eyes to the importance of emergency planning and risk assessment. 'Before this, we did not realise how much we did not know. Now, we feel better prepared, and I hope more women will join this field and raise the standard further,' she said. As part of the closing activities, over 50 people, including hotel guests, joined complimentary SUP sessions, guided by the newly trained instructors. For Monica, it was more than just a holiday experience. It was a safe, empowering introduction to a sport she never thought she would try.
Los Angeles Times
16-04-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Huntington Beach won't host surfing, beach volleyball at L.A. Olympics 2028
Surf City USA will not be hosting surfing as the Olympic Games return to Southern California in 2028, despite its aspirations to be on the world's stage during the event. LA28 announced Tuesday the surf competition will be held at Lower Trestles Beach south of San Clemente, not Huntington Beach. Long Beach has been awarded beach volleyball at Alamitos Beach, with Huntington Beach again bypassed after LA28 failed to reach an agreement with Santa Monica. Huntington Beach had been angling to be chosen as the surfing venue for LA28 for years, boasting the infrastructure and hotel space that allows for large-scale events. The U.S. Open of Surfing happens every summer at the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier, and the city has also hosted nine major International Surfing Association events, most recently the ISA World Surfing Games in 2022 and the World Para Surfing Championship for the past two years. Trestles, however, is seen as offering a more consistent wave. The World Surf League Finals have been held there each of the last four years. ISA President Fernando Aguerre said in a statement that he believed Lower Trestles was the right choice to host Olympic surfing. 'Following the amazing success of surfing in Teahupo'o [Tahiti in the 2024 Summer Olympics], and in talking to many of the world's athletes, we knew that any solution for L.A. had to feature the best performance waves,' Aguerre said. 'There is no doubt that location is Trestles. We would like to thank the LA28 leadership team and the International Olympic Committee for their understanding and support of the best conditions for the athletes.' Beach volleyball went to Long Beach, becoming the city's 11th sport it will host for LA28. Long Beach is the closest venue to Huntington Beach for LA28. That city will also host coastal rowing, sport climbing, target shooting, handball, rowing, canoe sprint, sailing, marathon swimming, water polo and artistic swimming. 'As a beach city synonymous with surf and sand, we were honored to be considered in the Olympic Games conversation,' said Kelly Miller, president and chief executive of nonprofit tourism organization Visit Huntington Beach, in a statement. 'While we're not an official venue for LA28, we're proud to be part of the energy and spirit of the Games. With our ideal coastal location between Los Angeles and Orange County competition sites, Huntington Beach will be the ultimate fan destination before, during and after the Olympics.' Miller added that his organization will be working closely with officials to provide training opportunities for thousands of athletes preparing for LA28. Anaheim is the only other Orange County venue location selected by LA28, as indoor volleyball will be held at Honda Center.
Reuters
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Olympians ready to take in sport's 'epicenter' in Southern California
NEW YORK, April 15 (Reuters) - Olympic surfing is ready to grab the spotlight at the 2028 LA Olympics with a pristine venue in the heart of modern surf culture after thriving in a far-flung location for the Paris Games. Paris earned rave reviews for its Olympic surfing venue halfway around the world in 2024, with Teahupo'o, Tahiti, praised for its days of perfect surf in the sport's ancestral home of Polynesia. But the 2028 venue announced on Tuesday, Trestles Beach, could give competitors a greater experience of being an Olympian, just a stone's throw from their fellow athletes in Los Angeles. "Tahiti was great because the waves were great but we were removed from 'ground zero' of the Paris Games," said Fernando Aguerre, the president of the International Surfing Association. Aguerre told Reuters he was delighted with the selection of Trestles Beach, which beat out the other finalist Huntington Beach, with its consistent, quality waves and point break. "Those two finalists are probably the two best, most consistent waves in Southern California," he said. "Trestles is higher quality and also has a higher likelihood of good waves happening." Featuring in its third Games, the sport has already well-established itself on the Olympic landscape, said Aguerre, with former ISA Vice President Kirsty Coventry recently elected as the incoming IOC president. "Southern California is where competitions, industry, some of the most famous world champions live," he said. "Contemporary surfing today, really, the epicenter in Southern California."
