The 2024 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Masters Surfing Championship (WMSC) is set to gather the world’s best masters surfers in Surf City El Salvador on October 18-24, 2024
Team South Africa is an experienced unit with decades of experience. Good luck to Gary Van Wieringen, Heather Clark, Tasha Mentasti, and Tyrell Johnson. We wish them the best of luck in Surf City, El Salvador. Photo © Sean Evans
Here are 10 things you need to know about the upcoming competition.
1. International Masters Competition is Back!
Last held in 2013, the WMSC took place six times between 2007 and 2013 and saw many incredible names claim Masters World Titles, including two-time Gold Medalists Layne Beachley (AUS) and Sunny Garcia (HAW). It will be the second time the WMSC takes place in El Salvador, previously held at Punta Roca in 2011.
2. Former Medalists Return
Thirteen former medalists will be present in El Salvador, headlined by the only surfer to win the Gold Medal in the Open, Junior, and Masters divisions at the ISA, Tom Curren (USA). The three-time WSL Champion will compete professionally for the first time in over six years.
Four other former WMSC champions will join him. 2012 Masters World Champion Rochelle Ballard (HAW), 2013 Kahunas World Champion Mike Latronic (HAW), 2010 Masters World Champion Heather Clark (RSA), and 2010 Kahunas World Champion Rod Baldwin (AUS) will once again seek to top the podium as they make their return to international competition.
It has been many years since most of the surfers in the draw have competed internationally. Multiple medalists in other ISA divisions will look to diversify their medal counts, joined by former WSL Championship Tour (CT) surfers. Names like two-time ISA World Surfing Games Gold Medalist Hira Teriinatoofa (TAH), two-time ISA World Surfing Games Silver Medalist Melanie Bartels (HAW) and two-time ISA World Surfing Games Medalist Jacqueline Silva (BRA) will make their WMSC debut, as will former WSL CT surfers Serena Brooke(AUS), Ben Bourgeois (USA), Kim Wooldridge (AUS), and legend of the sport, Becky Benson (HAW).
3. Record National Participation
Over 90 athletes representing 28 national teams will gather to compete for the coveted Team Gold medals, surpassing the previous record for national teams, set in 2012. Defending Team World Champions, Team Hawaii, are fielding a strong team that includes two former Gold Medalists as they seek to defend their title.
4. New National Teams
Five national teams, Austria, Barbados, Canada, England, and Israel, will be represented in the WMSC for the very first time.
5. The Divisions
The age categories have been updated since the event was last held in 2013. Two new women’s categories will make their debut in 2024, Grand Masters and Kahunas, while each of the men’s divisions see an adjustment in age.
? Men’s and Women’s Masters (Over 40)
? Men’s and Women’s Grand Masters (Over 50)
? Men’s and Women’s Kahunas (Over 60)
6. Gender Equality
In 2024, women have the opportunity to compete in three divisions in the WMSC. Each team is able to field three women and three men. Since 2017, the ISA has offered equal competition slots for women and men across its World Championship Series, promoting women’s participation and gender equality in surfing.
7. Where to Watch
The live webcast will be streamed on www.isasurf.org from October 18 – 24. Visit isasurf.org for results, team rosters, photos, videos, and news pertaining to the competition.
8. Social
The ISA will post live updates, photos and videos from the competition on social media. Follow along on:
Facebook: @ISAsurfing
Instagram: @ISAsurfing
Twitter: @ISAsurfing
YouTube: @ISAsurfing
Tiktok: @isasurfing
9. Schedule
Oct 17 – 10am: Press Conference, next to Casa de Mar
Oct 18 – 3pm: Opening Ceremony, next to Casa de Mar
Oct 19 – 24: Competition, El Sunzal
Oct 24: Closing Ceremony
10. The ISA and El Salvador
Surf City El Salvador has become a massive supporter of the ISA and surfing, demonstrating itself as a world-class surfing destination. This will be the eighth major ISA event to carry the title Surf City El Salvador.
Video: 10 Things to Know About the 2024 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Masters Surfing Championship, Starting Today
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