From September 22-28, Peru will become the gathering place of the world’s best longboarders, who will compete in the ISA World Longboard Championship (WLC) at the world-class pointbreak of Huanchacho.
Over 20 countries from all corners of the planet will soon arrive to the beautiful country of Peru, its welcoming people, great food, and incredible waves.
Here are the 10 things you need to know about the 2013 ISA World Longboard Championship:
Huanchaco is a famous rock and sand bottom long left point-break, and similar to its close neighbor, Chicama, its long lines and sloping wave face make it perfect for longboarding. On bigger days, the wave can connect from behind the point all the way past the pier, resulting in 200-300m long rides. Photo: Rommel Gonzales
1. The Event
The 2013 ISA World Longboard Championship (WLC) is the first ISA stand-alone competition exclusively for the world’s best Longboarders. The ISA WLC will gather the best competitors in Huanchaco, Peru from September 22 to the 28.
2. The History
Longboarding has traditionally been a division of the ISA World Surfing Games, which has crowned Open Men’s World Longboard Champions since 1988. Due to the growing popularity of the Longboard division and the increase in participating athletes, the ISA has decided to organize its own World Championship with specialized longboarding judges at one of the best surfing destinations in the world. Additionally, for the first time ever, the ISA will crown an Open Women and a Junior World Longboard Champion!
3. Past ISA World Longboard Champions
These are the ISA World Longboard Champions that have been crowned since the inclusion of the division in the ISA World Surfing Games:
1988 Andrew McKinnon (AUS)
1990 Wayne Deane (AUS)
1992 Teva Noble (TAH)
1994 Michel Demont (TAH)
1996 Geoff Moysa (USA)
1998 Alexandre Salazar (BRA)
2000 Marcelo Freitas (BRA)
2002 Marcelo Freitas (BRA)
2004 Marcelo Freitas (BRA)
2006 Matthew Moir (ZAF)
2008 Matthew Moir (ZAF)
2009 Antoine Delpero (FRA)
2010 Rodrigo Sphyer (BRA)
2011 Toni Silvagni (USA)
Huanchaco is located in the North of Peru, and it is known for its world-class, consistent waves and its long history of wave riding. Photo: Rommel Gonzales
4. The Competition
The World Championship is a team competition with individual Open Men, Open Women, and Junior Under-18 divisions. Each National Team consists of up to 2 Open Men, 1 Open Woman, and 1 Junior (Under-18 Boy or Girl), for a total of 4 athletes plus Team Officials.
The ISA WLC gathers the best Longboarders from every continent to compete for their National Teams in an “Olympic-style” event. Of special note will be USA’s Tony Silvagni, 2011 ISA World Longboard Champion France’s Antoine Delpero, 2009 ISA World Longboard Champion, Brazil’s Phil Rajzman 2007 ASP World Longboard Tour Champion, and USA’s Taylor Jensen, 2012 ASP World Longboard Tour Champion. On the Women’s side, France’s Justine Dupont, a top competitor on the ASP Women’s World Longboard Tour will be one of the favorites.
5. The Prize
The surfers compete for Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Copper Medals, the World Team Championship, and the honor of representing their respective countries.
6. The Location
Huanchaco is located in the North of Peru, near the major city of Trujillo. It is known for its world-class, consistent waves and its long history of wave riding. Huanchaco is also the birthplace of the popular “ceviche” dish. Before the Inca Era 3,000 years ago, Peruvians were documented riding waves on “caballitos de totora,” a small reed fishing boat and one of humanity’s earliest known surf crafts used for both work and pleasure.
Caballitos de Totora. Photo: Rommel Gonzales
In October 2012, Huanchaco was declared a World Surfing Reserve by Save the Waves Coalition as the first in Latin America and fifth in the world. Read more about this historic surfing region and the importance of being a World Surfing Reserve here- http://www.savethewaves.org/news/world-surfing-reserve-in-peru.
The 2013 WLC will be held during the winter, so the air temperature in Huanchaco should range between 58-64 degrees F (14.5-18 degrees C). The water temperature should range between 62-72 degrees F (16.4-22.3 degrees C). There will be 0% chance of rain since it is located in the desert.
7. The Wave
Huanchaco is a famous rock and sand bottom long left point-break, and similar to its close neighbor, Chicama, its long lines and sloping wave face make it perfect for longboarding. The wave can break in different sections, but on bigger days it can connect from behind the point all the way past the pier, resulting in 200-300m long rides.
8. The Schedule
The first edition of the ISA World Longboard Championship will officially open on September 22 in Trujillo, Peru, with the traditional ISA Opening Ceremony held at the “Plaza de Mayor de Trujillo,” which will include the Parade of the Nations and Sands of the World Ceremony.
The Parade of the Nations is a colorful and energy-filled event, complete with teams chanting, waving flags and the cheering of the locals who come out to watch the spectacle.
The Sands of the World Ceremony symbolizes the true fraternal spirit that bonds together all members of the global surfing tribe. The union of the countries of the world in this emotional ceremony is symbolized through the mixing of the sands from the beaches of every participating country, showcasing the ISA’s desire for a better and peaceful world through surfing.
Important Dates:
Friday, September 20 – Official Press Conference
Sunday, September 22 – Opening Ceremony- Parade of the Nations and Sands of the World Ceremony.
Monday, September 23 – Competition Begins
Saturday, September 28 – Final day of competition, Awards Presentation and Closing Ceremony
9. The Host and Support
The ISA WLC will mark the sixth ISA World Championship that Peru has hosted since 2008, including two this year (the ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship was in February). Not only does Peru offer incredible world-class waves throughout the country, but the nation has always welcomed the ISA and the hundreds of competitors from all around the globe with open arms and warm hearts.
The ISA WLC has been made possible thanks to the continued support from IPD (Peruvian Institute of Sports), ADO (Peruvian Association of Olympic Athletes), COP (Peruvian Olympic Committee) and its President Jose Quiñones, and all the sponsors, and especially the event organizer, Karin Sierralta and his staff.
10. The Mission
The ISA’s mission is to develop the sport of surfing in Peru and around the world. This is accomplished through annual World Championships, membership development, educational programs, scholarship distribution and working towards Olympic Surfing.
To watch the official event promo, visit the official event website www.isawlc.com where you will find photos, videos and the live webcast beginning on Sunday, September 22 with the Opening Ceremony. Competition begins on Monday, September 23, and the Finals and Closing Ceremony will be Saturday, September 28.
