Surfing’s Top Talent Shines on Opening Day of Action in Surf City El Salvador

Athletes with slots to Tokyo 2020 such as Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbons, Brazil’s Tatiana Weston-Webb and Gabriel Medina, Costa Rica’s Brisa Hennessy, Peru’s Daniella Rosas and Lucca Mesinas, Morocco’s Ramzi Boukhiam, and Portugal’s Frederico Morais, to name a few, all passed first place in their heats. 

The Olympic hopefuls, yet to earn their slots, also showed their hunger, inspiration, and desire to earn their tickets to Tokyo 2020. Costa Rica’s Noe Mar McGonagle asserted himself as a top Olympic hopeful, earning a 16.4 heat total, the second highest of Sunday. Japan’s Mahina Maeda also has her sights set on a slot, earning a solid 12.93 heat total. Another strong contender with a belief that he can qualify for Tokyo is Indonesia’s Rio Waida. After coming up just short of qualification at the 2019 ISA World Surfing Games in Miyazaki, Japan, Waida has realized that he belongs among the best in the world. 

“In Miyazaki I learned I can do this,” said Waida. “I can qualify. The top surfers were in the 2019 event and I made it to ninth place. Once I knew that I belong, I just focused on training to prepare for this moment. “My goal is nothing less than to qualify for the Olympics. It would also be great to make the final and beat the best in the world. That’s my dream.” From scholarship to success One of the feel-good stories of the opening day of competition was an inspirational performance from Ecuador’s 16-year-old Genesis Borja. Borja, who was named an ISA Scholarship ambassador last year, was awarded financial aid to assist her education and surfing.

Unable to attend classes online during the pandemic, Borja purchased a computer with her award so she could continue her remote education. She also was able to upgrade her surfing equipment, which is already paying dividends, as she placed first in her Round 1 heat this morning to advance into the second round of the Main Event. 

Ukraine’s global surfing debut Three Ukrainian surfers made history by becoming the first of their country to ever compete in an ISA World Championship. Anastasiia Temirbek, Iaroslav Dombrovskyi, and Vasyl Kordysh all competed in Round 1 and represented their country with pride. Ukraine, which recently joined the ISA as the 109^th and newest Member Nation, has ambitious goals to grow the sport in the country.  “It’s a big honor for us to be here representing our country for the first time in this absolutely amazing event,” said Kordysh. “We’re beyond stoked. “It’s amazing to feel all this Olympic spirit, especially for the surfing community in Ukraine. Our participation here will immediately effect the development of Surfing in our country. It will encourage more young generations to pick up and experience the sport. This is why we are here, to show them how we can move forward and progress.” 

ISA President Fernando Aguerre said: “What an incredible start to the event. We saw the women and men both shredding across these two amazing peaks today. Today the men took center stage on the webcast, which is at La Bocana, but tomorrow the ladies will get their shot to show their surfing to the world. This is a record amount of women competing in the event and I can’t wait for the global audience to see the talent they possess.  “You can feel the inspiration and desire in the air. With 12 slots for Tokyo 2020 up for grabs, these athletes are giving it their all — from their preparation all the way to each maneuver they perform. “It is an honor to receive these 51 nations from all corners of the globe. We are the united nations of surfing, bring together the world in peace, through surfing.” The 2021 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Surfing Games runs from May 29 – June 6. Follow the event with live broadcasts, news, videos, photos, schedules, results, and more on www.isasurf.org.