Playa Venao, Panama
With the best young surfers set to begin competition in two days time, the press conference for the DAKINE ISA World Junior Surfing Championship Presented by Billabong centered around this future generation of surfing, and more specifically, the future of surfing in Panama.
This event marks the third time that Panama Tourism and the ISA have partnered to host an ISA World Championship event. In the short time since that first event, the 2010 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship, the sport of surfing and the lifestyle it presents has found a foothold in the local beach scene, the economy and the hearts of the Panamanian people.
“This meeting marks the third ISA World Championship in Panama, but this event is really special because it brings together the future of surfing,” said Fernando Aguerre, the President of the ISA. “At this event we’re gathering 30 countries, and because of them and because of our gracious hosts in Panama, through the unity of surfing and sport, right at this moment, the world is a better place.”
More than 60 local and international media, alongside various representatives from the nations in the event, gathered at Casa de Campo in Pedasi for the press conference. At the beginning of the press conference, Sonia “Pucha” Garcia introduced the recently announced Panamanian team, who were in attendance. Also in attendance was three-time ASP World Champion Tom Curren, who won the first ISA Juniors Gold Medal in 1980. Pat and Frank, the sons of Curren and his Panamanian wife, Makeira, compete for Team Panama.
The ISA World Juniors brings together the best under-18 surfers from around the world to compete for individual and team glory. Nearly 300 surfers will be competing in three divisions (Boys Under-18, Boys Under-16, and Girls Under-18) over the course of eight days of competition at Playa Venao, a beach-break located on the Pacific Ocean side of the country.
Dignitaries on the panel included: ISA President Aguerre; Ernesto Orillac, Vice Minister of the Panamanian Tourism Authority; Clayton Snyder, Marketing Director of Billabong Latin America; Juninho Urcia, a top surfer on the defending Gold Medal Team, Peru; Jake Halstead, a former Silver Medalist from Team USA; Sonia “Pucha” Garcia, Team Manager of the Panamanian Team and a 10-time National Champion; and Gary Saavedra, Coach of the Panamanian Team and a 13-time National Champion.
With the local lineups packed with talented young surfers, the positive energy in and around the event is growing with every big aerial and gouging turn.
“From what I saw on the beach today, with the large amount of surfers, the level of their surfing and the quality of the waves, this is going to be an exceptional week of competition,” Snyder said. “Billabong supports this event because this is everything for surfing, this is the future of our sport.”
One of the talented young surfers who will help to define the future of the sport is Juninho Urcia of Peru. Rising from modest beginnings, he is now one of the most decorated young surfers in South America. A Copper Medalist at last year’s ISA World Juniors in Peru, Urcia was integral in helping his country to its first ISA World Juniors Team Gold Medal. Aside from his supreme talent on a surfboard, he’s also proven himself a dedicated student in the classroom and a role model for his peers, having won an ISA Scholarship for five consecutive years. He didn’t apply this year because he’s now a professional surfer.
“The ISA is one of the main reasons I’ve been able to grow as a person and a surfer; ISA has walked with me since forever,” Urcia explained. “Winning the scholarship made me a better sportsman and a better person, and I am grateful of that because nowadays I enjoy the life that I always wanted.”
“One of our slogans is for a better surfing future, and the scholarship program is one of many elements that prove that we work towards that,” ISA President Aguerre said. “Juninho is a perfect example that it’s possible to have a better surfing future. Six years ago when he was 11 he won the first scholarship while surfing on borrowed boards and now he’s an elite-level surfer and an ISA medalist, and we’re proud of that.”
Orillac pointed to the countless hours that went into the organizing of the event, and the excitement around the event spreading the word that Panama can be a great destination for traveling surfers, while also expressing his gratitude for those who’ve come to experience all of the country’s natural treasures.
“We have measured that supporting surfing is one of the investments that gives us the best revenue for a better economic development,” Orillac said. “We are proud to see every time we do an event like this that the beauty of Panama spreads to media outlets in every corner of the world.”
All five continents will be represented in Panama. In addition to the hosts, the other national teams competing are Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Great Britain, Guatemala, Hawaii, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Tahiti, Uruguay, USA and Venezuela.
The DAKINE ISA World Junior Surfing Championship Presented by Billabong begins tomorrow, April 14, with the traditional ISA Opening Ceremony, which includes a Parade of Nations and the Sands of the World Ceremony. Competition will begin on the morning of the 15th.
The Opening Ceremony and the competition can be viewed live at www.dakineisawjsc.com/live.
The DAKINE ISA World Junior Surfing Championship Presented by Billabong is made possible with the support of the following event partners: DAKINE, Billabong, Panamá, Super Deportes, FOX Sports, Mini, Dollar Rent A Car, Copa Airlines, Extreme Surf & Sport. The media partners are Surfea Panama, Surfersvillage and Surfos. The Official Forecaster for the event is Surfline.
