The Streets Of Huanchaco Lined With Local Citizens Welcomed The 23 National Delegations That Participated In The Opening Ceremony.
(From to left right) Benjamin Gayoso, Regional President of the Peruvian Institute of Sport; Karin Sierralta, event organizer; Huanchaco Mayor Delia Mestanza; and ISA Vice President Alan Atkins, amongst the flags of the 23 National Teams, declared the 2013 ISA World Longboard Championship officially open. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle
The Peruvian National Longboard Surfing Team, parading along Avenida Riviera, passing the Huanchaco’s historic Caballitos de Totora, during the Parade of Nations. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle
The ISA World Longboard Championship officially opened on Sunday. In attendance were the 23 National Delegations featuring 70 of the world’s best longboard surfers, who traveled to Peru from every corner of the globe. Local authorities, government officials and the people of Huanchaco witnessed the start of the first stand-alone ISA World Longboard Championship.
ISA Officials at the Parade of Nations. Credit: ISA/ Rommel Gonzales
The National Teams paraded along the town’s main street adjacent to the surf break and the contest site. Dozens of Huanchaco’s historic “Caballitos de Totora” (reed fishing boats) lined the beachfront, while the surf was pumping with 6-8 feet sets in the background. It was a perfect setting for the visiting athletes to witness Peru’s incredible natural resource and 4,000 year-old culture at the same time.
Team USA and Team Venezuela at the Parade of the Nations. Credit: ISA/ Michael Tweddle
Two representatives from each delegation walked on stage, one proudly waving their national flag while the other poured sand from one of their local beaches into a custom glass container, symbolizing the peaceful gathering of nations through the love of surfing. The Sands of the World Ceremony is unique to ISA World Championships and it leaves the local people and the athletes with a wonderful lasting impression.
Yuki Nakayama and Shiho Okazawa from Team Japan, Sand from Ikumi Beach, Japan. Credit: ISA/ Rommel Gonzales
On behalf of ISA President, Fernando Aguerre, Karin Sierralta, the local organizer and ISA Vice President made the following opening remarks: “I would like to welcome you to Peru and Huanchaco. For me, it is an honor to have been given the opportunity to organize 6 ISA World Championships in Peru. This would not have been possible without Fernando Aguerre’s trust and support.”
ISA Vicepresident Karin Sierralta speech. Credit: ISA/ Rommel Gonzales
Sierralta continued, “When I took on the responsibility to organize the first ISA World Longboard Championship, I had the conviction of holding it in Huanchaco because longboard is the tradition in our sport and Huanchaco is where surfing originated in Peru. Huanchaco has a strong culture of sea and waves. In the next few days you will have the pleasure of experiencing this mystical, historical and cultural place that deserves to be shown to the world.”
“Finally, I would like to thank all of the humble people of this city, who joined us to support this World Championship. Thanks to the Peruvian Institute of Sport’s, Francisco “Pancho” Boza, and especially Jose Quiñones, Peru’s National Olympic Committee President, who has become the biggest supporter of Surfing in Peru,” concluded Sierralta.
Athletes and spectators were treated to local traditional dances that kept everyone entertained. “La Marinera Norteña” was performed beautifully by 12-year olds Sugey Urcia and her partner, Carlos Correa. Sugey is Peru’s National Dance Champion in her age group and is the younger sister of Huanchaco’s Juninho Urcia, the ISA Gold Medalist and 5-time ISA Scholarship recipient. A second performance from an Afro Peruvian dance group, kept the crowd jumping, with its up-beat music and dancing.
Suegey Urcia and Carlos Correa performing “La Marinera Norteña” at the Opening Ceremony. Credit:ISA/ Rommel Gonzales
ISA Vice President Alan Atkins and Huanchaco Mayor Delia Mestanza declared the 2013 ISA Longboard Championship officially open, concluding the ceremonies for the day.
The ISA World Lonboard Championship begins Monday with The Morning Show at 7:40am (local time) followed by the competition at 8am featuring Round 1 of Qualifying Open Men, Qualifying Open Women, and Qualifying 1 Junior Under-18.
The live webcast of the ISA World Longboard Championship is available on www.isawlc.com
The schedule:
Monday, 7:40am Huanchaco, Peru
Monday, 5:40am West Coast USA
Monday, 2:40pm France
Monday, 10:40pm Sydney, Australia
