The world-famous Punta Rocas beach, in Peru’s central coast, has been selected as venue of the 50th anniversary of the World Surfing Games, thus playing host of the Olympics of international surfing.
The event is expected to bring together surfers from all over the world to compete in Team, Men’s and Women’s divisions during the surfing competition that will double up as a global celebration of the sport’s governing body hosting half a century of world class surfing championships.
“We are delighted to be going back to Peru for the 2014 edition of the ISA World Surfing Games and our 50th anniversary celebration,” said ISA President, Fernando Aguerre, adding, “I am looking forward to witnessing the world’s top surfers compete in the perfect waves at Punta Rocas”.
Taking place from October 24 to November 1, 2014, the ISA 50th Anniversary World Surfing Games will be held at the Punta Rocas – the same location as the 1965 ISA World Surfing Championship, which was won by Peruvian local, Felipe Pomar and American Joyce Hoffman.
In his speech to reporters to announce the Peru event, he added “The ISA has enjoyed 50 years of success and I will ensure that we channel our energy, ambition and love of Surfing as we enter the next stage of our development and step up our aim for Olympic inclusion”.
Aguerre continued, “Surfing has a unique and modern blend of sport performance, culture and dynamic energy making it especially relevant for young people – we must continue to spread Surfing’s values to young people worldwide”.
Over the last 50 years, the number of ISA member nations has grown to 86, with Madagascar and Algeria announced as the newest additions in recent months. The ISA expects to achieve its goal of reaching 100 member nations in 2015.
“It’s also estimated that 35 million people in over 100 countries surf globally, and that number is expected to rise to 50 million by 2020 as Surfing continues to reach new markets around the globe,” ISA’s top authorities said in an statement released Thursday.
The ISA has been largely responsible for this development and growth over the last 50 years – particularly in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Surfing’s booming popularity in these markets shows the universality of the sport and its great appeal amongst young people.
“Surfing is continuously evolving. The essence of Surfing lies in progression, innovation, and raising the bar of performance, and with state-of-the-art wave technology that is about to revolutionize,” the top executive of the institution noted.
“Peru has played a key role since the founding of the ISA with its first President, Eduardo Arena, a Peruvian, and the global development of Surfing over the past 50 years,” said Karin Sierra, Peruvian Surfing Federation’s (FENTA) Executive Director.
She added, “We have a very healthy relationship with the ISA, and we’re delighted to welcome the world’s best surfers back to Peru”.
The 2008 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship was held at the same location. Punta Rocas is a powerful wave and one of the most consistent surf breaks in Peru.
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Published: 8/21/2014