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> News > 10 Things to Know about the 2021 Pismo Beach ISA World Para Surfing Championship Hosted by AmpSurf

surfing News

10 Things to Know about the 2021 Pismo Beach ISA World Para Surfing Championship Hosted by AmpSurf

US team Liv Stone in a training session on December 5th at Pismo Beach. Image credit: / ISA / Sean Evans

05 December 2021

The 2021 Pismo Beach ISA World Para Surfing Championship (WPSC) hosted by Ampsurf is set to take place at Pismo Beach, California, USA on December 6th - 11th .

Here are the 10 things to know about the Event:

1. Record Participation

Approximately 130 athletes from 24 national teams are set to compete in the World Championship.

The athlete participation has more than doubled since the inaugural edition in 2015.

2. How to watch the event live online?

The 2021 Pismo Beach WPSC can be viewed live on www.isasurf.org December 6-11.

Additionally, viewers can tune in on the ISA’s Facebook page and the Olympic Channel.

3. The Divisions

As the discipline of Para Surfing continues to evolve, the ISA has updated the classification divisions in which the athletes compete in order to create the most level playing field.

Athletes will be grouped into one of 9 classifications depending on their particular physical conditions. Each classification will crown men’s and women’s World Champions.

To see all Para Surfing classifications, go to:

https://isasurf.org/learning/para-surfing/isa-para-surfing-classification/.

4. Paralympic Ambitions

With surfing having made its spectacular Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020, the ISA believes that high performance and youthful values of Para Surfing also merit inclusion on the world’s greatest Para sporting stage.

The ISA has lobbied for the sport’s inclusion in the Paralympics and has now made it a priority to secure inclusion in the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.

5. Pismo Beach, AmpSurf and Foundation for Global Sport Development (GSD) supporting Para Surfing

Pismo Beach

Gordon Jackson, Director of Tourism and Events for the city of Pismo says:

“As a long-time supporter of AmpSurf, it has been a privilege to support ISA’s efforts to bring Para Surfing to the Paralympic stage. Our city is honored to be chosen as the destination surf break for this esteemed competition, and we look forward to welcoming elite athletes and spectators from all over the world. Surf culture is at the heart of our Classic California beach town”.

AmpSurf

AmpSurf was founded by Dana Cummings, WPSC athlete and adaptive surf instructor certificated by ISA. It is a non-profit organization established to Promote, Inspire, Educate, and Rehabilitate (PIER) all people with disabilities and their families through Adaptive Surf Therapy and other outdoor activities.

AmpSurf operates through 4 chapters in the United States located in; California, New England, New York and the Pacific Northwest. These chapters have been developed to reach the one in five Americans living with a life-long disability, including Children, adults, Veterans, First Responders and those that come to us from around the world. These Men, Women and children are looking for ways to live life to their fullest potential. Whether they are an amputee, visually impaired, suffer from PTS (post traumatic stress), or have quadriplegia.

Foundation for Global Sports Development (GSD)

GSD delivers and supports initiatives that promote fair play, education and the benefits of abuse-free sport for youth. GSD’s mission is to leverage the power of sport to enrich lives and to make the world a better place. GSD has been working with the ISA since 2019 by providing grants to support the development of para surfing including classification, coaching instruction and equipment.

6. The Defending World Champions

2020 National Team World Champion: Spain

Men stand 1 = Mike Vaz BRA

Men stand 2 = Roberto Pino BRA

Men stand 3 = Colin Cook HAW

Women stand 1 = Liv Stone USA

Women stand 2 = Malu Mendes BRA

Men kneel = Alcino Neto BRA

Women kneel = Victoria Feige CAN

Men prone 1 = Bruno Hansen DEN

Men prone 2 = Jesse Billauer USA

Women prone 1= Sarah Bettencourt USA

Women prone 2 = Sam Bloom AUS

Men visually impaired 1 = Aitor Francesena ESP

Men visually impaired 2 = Matthew Formston AUS

Women visually impaired 1 = Carmen Lopez ESP

Women visually impaired 2 = Melisa Reid ENG

7. Social Media

The ISA will be posting live updates, photos and videos from the competition on social media. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube and don’t forget use the official hashtags #ISAworlds.

Facebook: International Surfing Association (@ISAsurfing)

Instagram: @ISAsurfing

Twitter: @ISAsurfing

Youtube: ISAsurfing

For daily highlights check:

https://isasurf.org/event/2021-pismo-beach-isa-world-para-surfing-championship/

8. Fostering the future generations

The AmpSurf ISA Adaptive Surf Clinic will take place on Sunday, December 5th from 8am-12pm at Pismo Beach Pier.

The purpose of the clinic is to provide an opportunity for athletes with physical challenges to experience the healing power and joy surfing, receiving instruction from top athletes and instructors.

9. The Waterman Documentary Screening

On Thursday December 9 at the Pismo Plaza “The Waterman”, a movie about the legendary Duke Kahanamoku produced by Sidewinder Films will be screened at the Pismo Beach Pier Plaza.

The documentary, which is narrated by Hawaii’s own Jason Momoa, follows Kahanamoku’s journey and legacy as the father of modern-day surfing, Olympian and hawaiian icon.

Sidewinder Films in association with GSD, is a proud partner of the Event.

10. The Event’s agenda.

• Monday – Dec 6

• Opening Ceremony

• Location: Pier Plaza

• Time: 1:30pm

• Live Music

• Location: Pier Plaza

• Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm

• Tuesday – Dec 7

• Contest

• Location: Pismo Beach

• Time: 7:00am – 5:00pm

• Live Music

• Location: Pier Plaza

• Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm

• Wednesday – Dec 8

• Contest

• Location: Pismo Beach

• Time: 7:00am – 5:00pm

• Live Music

• Location: Pier Plaza

• Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm

• Thursday – Dec 9

• Contest

• Location: Pismo Beach

• Time: 7:00am – 5:00pm

• Movie Screening – The Waterman

• Location Pismo Plaza

• Time: 5:30pm

• Friday – Dec 10

• Contest

• Location: Pismo Beach

• Time: 7:00am – 5:00pm

• Live Music

• Location: Pier Plaza

• Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm

• Saturday – Dec 11

• Final day of Competition

• Closing Ceremonies

• Location: TBD

• Time: 20-30min after last heat

• Grover Beach Bon Fire

• Location: The end of Grand Ave, in Grover Beach

• Time: 7:30pm – 10pm

Press Release Source: ISA / isasurf.org

For further information, please visit ISA's website www.isasurf.org. You can also follow ISA on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & YouTube.