The 2016 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship (September 17 – 27, 2016) in São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal has broken the record for largest number of athletes and countries participating in the event’s 37-year history. Three hundred and seventy surfers hailing from 38 countries have arrived to compete in the Azores, shattering the previous record set at the 2015 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in Oceanside, California, which featured 322 surfers from 36 National Surfing Teams.
Click the link to follow the action, or for more info on the event, please follow the jump.
São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal, September 16, 2016 – The 2016 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship has broken the record for largest number of athletes and countries participating in the event’s 37-year history. 370 surfers hailing from 38 countries have arrived to compete in the Azores, shattering the previous record set at the 2015 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in Oceanside, California, which featured 322 surfers from 36 National Surfing Teams.
With U-18 junior surfers competing, the Championship showcases the rising stars of the sport and represents an important stepping stone for athletes aspiring to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Some of the world’s current top surfers started as ISA World Junior Champions for their national teams including the 2014 WSL Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA, 2010), Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW, 2014, 2013), Filipe Toledo (BRA, 2011), Tyler Wright (AUS, 2010, 2009), Alejo Muniz (BRA, 2008), Laura Enever (AUS, 2008), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS, 2007), Julian Wilson (AUS, 2006), Owen Wright (AUS, 2006), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS, 2005, 2004), Matt Wilkinson (AUS, 2004) and Jordy Smith (RSA, 2003).
On Saturday morning the Opening Ceremony will inaugurate the competition in the quaint, coastal village of Ribeira Grande on the island of São Miguel in the Azores. The National Delegations will participate in the traditional Parade of Nations and Sands of the World Ceremony, pouring sand from their local beaches into a container to symbolize the peaceful gathering of nations through Surfing.
The 39 teams that have confirmed their participation are: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hawaii, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Sao Tome e Principe, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Tahiti, Uruguay, USA and Wales.
